Hull company strikes Olympic Gold
CompeteFor is celebrating its second birthday with the 5,000th business opportunity advertised on the service since its launch in January 2008.
CompeteFor was designed, on behalf of England’s Regional Development Agencies, to give small and medium-sized businesses the chance to go for contract opportunities arising from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Together with the Olympic authorities and their main contractors, more than 600 buying organisations are now placing opportunities on CompeteFor.
Over 100,000 businesses across the UK have registered on CompeteFor to take advantage of the 5,000 opportunities ranging from printing to event management contracts and from training to abseiling services. Around 74% of contracts awarded have been placed with SME businesses and 18% of them have gone to businesses with 10 or less staff.
Yorkshire and Humber companies are also benefiting from London being chosen to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hull-based Arco has successfully tendered for a 3-year contract for the provision of PPE including eyewear, gloves, safety footwear, helmets and several versions of hi-vis vests and coats.
Nick Hildyard, joint Managing Director at Arco said: “Arco is celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year and as the Olympic Park will be a lasting legacy for future generations, we are benefiting from supplying safety products that will keep all those working on this important project safe.”
Ian Lucas, Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform, said:
"This is a very significant milestone to have reached and illustrates just how successful and user friendly the CompeteFor website is.
“Long term preparation and being in condition is the key to success - in sport and in business. With that in mind, the government has been helping UK businesses get in condition through Business link and its portfolio of products - such as the Manufacturing Advisory Service – which has helped domestic companies win London 2012 contracts via CompeteFor.
“The finish line isn’t in sight yet; there are still many more contracts up for grabs for small to medium sized businesses, which could also provide the opportunity to secure contracts for future global sporting events.”
CompeteFor is continuing to grow. There are still over £1 billion worth of Olympic-related contracts to come to the market.
Jim Farmery, Assistant Director of Business for Yorkshire Forward comments: “London 2012 is creating opportunities for Yorkshire and Humber. Companies such as Corus, Severfield Rowen, Bridon and of course Arco, to name but a few, are proof of this.
“We would like to see even more Yorkshire and Humber companies registering for Competefor.com; putting themselves in the running and accessing contracts to benefit from what is expected to be a £21bn cash injection into the UK’s economy.”
To register on CompeteFor visit www.competefor.com
If Yorkshire and Humber businesses want to find out how they can get fit to compete for London 2012 contracts, they should visit 
www.businesslink.gov.uk or contact 0845 600 9 006.
