BUSINESSES across Suffolk have been challenged to win more supply contracts for the London 2012 Olympics following the release of figures which show the county is lagging behind the pace.

Suffolk companies have so far secured 19 Olympics contracts advertised through the CompeteFor website, together worth an estimated �1million.

But the figures compare poorly against the East of England as a whole, with firms across the region having won 376 Olympics-related contracts worth a massive �53m through the website. The CompeteFor initiative is being co-funded by the East of Engaland Development Agency and acts as an online “dating agency” linking potential suppliers and buyers.

With further Olympics contracts worth around �250m to be available through the site during 2011, ranging from the supply of podiums and costumes, to furniture and professional artists and performers, Suffolk businesses are being encouraged to win a bigger share of the remaining opportunities on offer.

Peter Funnell, president of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “There are some excellent examples of businesses identifying opportunities and gaining competitive advantage.

“However, overall there is much more to do and far greater benefits to be realised.”

Adam Baker, Suffolk project manager for the 2012 games, added: “The figures really do show the amount of opportunities out there.

“We can look at the Suffolk companies which have been successful so far and take some real positives from them. There are many more opportunities out there still to be won.”

Among the Suffolk companies to have secured Olympics business is production services firm Bruizer, based near Woodbridge, which has been awarded two contracts to provide film resources.

Bruizer director Tim Wright said: “The business contracts have been vital in providing future security for the organisation and if the opportunities continue to grow we may need to employ more staff to improve our capacity.

“I’d recommend CompeteFor to businesses, whatever their field of expertise. There are still a lot of contracts appearing on the system and many more contracts to be won.”

CompeteFor is running free workshop events to help businesses take advantage of the contract opportunities

The next events in Suffolk take place on January 26 in Hadleigh and February 9 in Bury St Edmunds.

Visit www.eeda.org.uk/competefor for more information and to register.

Comment – Page 20

duncan.brodie@eadt.co.uk