Rail firms set to descend on ICC for HS2 supply chain conference

HUNDREDS of supply chain companies are expected at the ICC in Birmingham today to hear more about how they can benefit from the controversial £50bn HS2 high-speed rail project.

HS2 Ltd, the government company responsible for the project, is staging its Supply Chain Conference to give firms more information about the breadth of contracts which will be on offer through the programme and how they can apply.

The conference is the first in a series of events enabling suppliers to meet with the HS2 team, as well as with companies from the wider infrastructure supply market.

Following the conference, HS2 Ltd will conduct a market engagement exercise to discuss suppliers’ views on its plans for the delivery of the network.

“HS2 will provide a once in a generation opportunity to drive growth, generate jobs, develop skills and keep our country moving as demand for passenger and freight capacity on our railways continues to increase,” said the company.

“There is no question that achieving these goals will be a huge undertaking and as part of its early development, HS2 Ltd wishes to share with industry its thoughts on the procurement of the HS2 programme.”

Beth West, Commercial Director, HS2 Ltd, said that if the company was to ensure costs on the project were kept to a minimum then it was vital that suppliers learned all they could about the programme.

Birmingham is expected to be the national hub of the entire HS2 network and in addition to a major new city centre station, the area will also be the base for the railway’s maintenance facility. The former LDC works in Washwood Heath has been earmarked for the new depot.