Business network event in Sandwell
Published on 7th February 2012
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Business leaders in Sandwell say off-site manufacturing can help boost the Black Country economy by tapping into local supply chains.
As part of its economic plan, Sandwell Council is helping connect local firms with manufacturing engineering giants Laing O'Rourke and Balfour Beatty.
Both companies use the latest design, lean manufacturing and market-leading technology to supply fully functioning custom-built modules which are assembled on Black Country production lines and bolted onto buildings at construction sites around the globe.
This innovative approach to engineering is changing the face of construction supply chains, creating hundreds of manufacturing jobs and leading to inward investment for Sandwell and the wider region.
Crown House Technologies, a Laing O'Rourke owned company based in Oldbury, is currently manufacturing plant and equipment for Terminal 2 at Heathrow and is the main contractor for the new 'Cheese Grater' building in central London.
Meanwhile, Balfour Beatty Engineering Services, which employs 125 staff at its base on the Sandwell-Walsall boarder by Wednesbury, is also utilising the Sandwell's supply chain with its own brand of off site manufacturing called 'Modular Systems +'.
Jan Britton, Chief Executive of Sandwell Council, said the borough was an ideal location to host such innovative and cutting edge manufacturing.
"Everyone involved in construction and manufacturing is talking about 'off site' as the way to improve quality, reduce construction time and cut costs in the future - and attracting off site manufacturers to the borough is part of Sandwell's Economic Plan," he said.
"This operation brings together two strengths of Sandwell's local economy - manufacturing and construction - but in a way that moves both into the 21st century. This is exactly the sort of company we want in the borough."
As part of its efforts to connect local firms with off site manufacturers, Sandwell Council has invited local firms to meet with Balfour Beatty at a business networking event next week.
It has been organised by 'finditinsandwell', the council's online business community. It will take place on February 16 from 6.45am. To find out more, visit www.finditinsandwell.co.uk