West Midlands on track with National Rail Awards shortlisting

THE West Midlands has been shortlisted as a finalist for two awards at the National Rail Industry awards after being recognised by UK rail chiefs for pioneering work in developing a first-of-its-kind virtual 3D rail project.

The Black Country, Greater Birmingham & Solihull and Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnerships working as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority say OnTrack WM will help nurture the valuable skills regional firms need to tap into supply chain opportunities aligned to the region’s multi-million-pound rail industry projects.

The West Midlands entry has been recognised for its forward-thinking strategy to nurture the essential skills that future industry will need through the formation of a community Building Information Modelling (BIM) framework, which has earned them a shortlisting in the Digital Pioneer category.

BIM is transforming industry taking it out of the 2D analogue age and into the 3D digital. BIM is a business process which exploits technology so that stakeholders involved in every tier of the supply chain can mutually benefit.  

The West Midlands creative procurement approach has been nominated in the Innovation award category for their partnership work to develop the ground-breaking OnTrack WM.

OnTrack WM will form part of the Black Country LEP’s innovative High Value Manufacturing City, an interactive platform to support the advancement of leading manufacturing and engineering opportunities. Like OnTrack WM HVM City articulates inward investment opportunities, drives supply chain development and integration and supports major contract delivery though the development of virtual models.

Stewart Towe, chair of Black Country LEP, said: “OnTrack WM is a truly innovative way to align our world-class manufacturing base to £multi-million rail sector supply opportunities. With real major procurement opportunities and HS2 getting underway soon. OnTrack WM will help to forge links with buyers / designers and improve specialist rail supply chain skills, presenting regional firms with great potential to rise to new work-winning challenges.”

Martin Reeves, chief executive West Midlands Combined Authority, added: “Under the leadership of the Black Country LEP and with their expertise in supply chain development, the three LEPs are working together to pioneer new initiatives as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority. To be shortlisted in two key categories is testament to the skills, experience and dedication in the West Midlands to drive growth across key sectors in order to realise opportunities for business and people.”

Close