Heathrow targets Black Country manufacturers

Above: (left to right) Nigel Milton (Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer for Heathrow Airport) with Alastair Henman, Founder and Managing Director of Zaun.

Bosses at the UK’s busiest airport want to work with Black Country Chamber of Commerce members to understand the challenges businesses face when exporting, and to support them to take advantage of the cargo routes offered.

To mark nearly a year of Platinum Group membership, the two organisations have joined forces to host an exporting roundtable to raise awareness of the opportunities and forge stronger ties with members.

The event, which is being held at Wolverhampton-based Zaun Ltd on 7th May, will give up to 15 local firms the opportunity to provide intelligence on exporting, key international markets and barriers to entry.

They will also be asked to inform the airport’s World of Opportunity Programme, which helps SME exporters get their goods and services sold in international markets.

Gail Arnold, Head of Premium Membership at Black Country Chamber of Commerce said: “Heathrow approached us about ten months ago to look at how they could build stronger links to the region – it’s not surprising when you consider our industrial heritage and our wealth of modern-day manufacturers.

“We generate around £3.5 billion of exports every year and that number could definitely grow. That is what the airport wants to do and that’s why it has joined as a Platinum Group member and has already been a keynote speaker at our Leaders Lunch in 2024.

“The latest event will give an exclusive number of Black Country manufacturers a unique opportunity to explore mutual partnerships and find ways to tackle joint export challenges. There are only a few spaces left so we’d urge companies to act quickly if they want to take part.”

Zaun, the only British in-house manufacturer of woven and welded mesh fencing systems, is the principal material supplier for fencing at Heathrow Airport and is currently working on several live projects being delivered.

Stewart Plant, Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this latest event as we believe that by working together as trusted partners it enables the Black County to be a manufacturing powerhouse and supports Heathrow’s aim to be the ‘UK’s Gateway to Growth’.”

In addition to the roundtable, Black Country SMEs are also being encouraged to take part in Heathrow Lift Off, a concept developed to attract and work with smaller companies.

It gives firms the opportunity to present their products and services to a panel made up of Heathrow and its largest supply chain partners, addressing topics including sustainability, passenger experience, data and technologies.

Sarah Ralphs, External Affairs Lead at Heathrow Airport, concluded: “Lift Off Q2 is now open for applications on CompeteFor, with the main theme being sustainability.

“In particular, we want to discover solutions that target circular economy and waste and those that are nature positive, including remote biodiversity monitoring, data-driven greenspace management solutions and how we can bring nature into our terminal spaces.

“If you’re a Black Country company who can offer innovation in one of these areas, please apply ([email protected]) before midday on April 30th.”