Suffolk: Amey builds links with SMEs in highways maintenance supply chain

MORE than 60 highways maintenance businesses from around Suffolk attended a supplier networking day hosted by Amey, one of the UK’s biggest public services providers.

The aim of the event, which was held at Ipswich Town Football Club, was to promote the working relationship between Amey, which has more than 11,000 employees, and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based within the county.

Sessions focused on opportunities for working with Amey, delivering greater value for customers and developing relationships and innovations with the supply chain, and included a demonstration of the group’s online supplier portal – at http://suppliers.amey.co.uk – where new potential suppliers can register their interest in working with Amey.

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce also held a session at the event, providing advice and information on how the chamber supports local businesses and encourages their growth across the county.

John Cully, procurement director at Amey, said: “Hosting supplier networking days provides Amey with the opportunity to meet local suppliers and support local economies.

“At Amey we aim to work with suppliers who will embrace our values and who can sustainably provide excellent service, safely and consistently across all areas of Amey. In 2011, 58% of our suppliers were SMEs, forming a vital part of our service delivery.”

John Dugmore, chief executive of the Suffolk Chamber, added: “SMEs play a vital role in supporting our local economy in Suffolk.

“The Amey supplier day has been a fantastic opportunity to bring local businesses together to network and build relationships between each other. We believe the Suffolk pound should remain in Suffolk to bring further growth to the county; events like this encourage this to happen.”