Over 100 local suppliers join forces to grow Suffolk supply chain

Last week, over 100 local suppliers participated in a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at Endeavour House, hosted by Concertus, a company within the Vertas Group. The event was the second one that has been organised since the launch of the Suffolk County Council Construction and Building Services Framework in the summer of 2023. The framework, now in its fourth generation, has facilitated collaboration between contractors and suppliers to deliver various projects across Suffolk and the Eastern Region.

The event allowed suppliers to network with other like-minded businesses in Suffolk and build partnerships across the supply chain. Ashley Shorey-Mills, from the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, delivered a keynote speech and said:

“The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the Meet the Buyer event as it is great to see such a local focus from one of Suffolk’s largest and most successful businesses. Our role is to build Suffolk businesses to be the best around, and it’s great to see suppliers taking these opportunities to build a more sustainable circular economy”.

All successful contractors appointed to the new iteration of the framework were among the businesses that exhibited, alongside wider Vertas Group businesses Oakpark Security, Vertas Environmental, and Verse. In support of the framework’s ethos to foster relationships to build on Social Value initiatives, representatives from Suffolk New College, Apprenticeships Suffolk, and Suffolk County Council Skills were also in attendance, highlighting local training and apprenticeship opportunities.

The framework provides an effective and efficient route for the Council and other public sector partners who use it to deliver projects across the East of England. Concertus, which has over a decade of experience managing the framework, has worked closely with suppliers to enhance the communities in Suffolk. Andy Bates, Associate Director at Concertus, expressed his delight at seeing so many familiar and new faces at the event. He added:

“We wanted to bring all suppliers along on this journey with us, working collaboratively to deliver exceptional framework projects.”

“Partnerships and collaboration are crucial in allowing us to promote and support the health and wellbeing of all people in Suffolk, strengthen our local economy, and protect and enhance our environment whilst providing value for money for the Suffolk taxpayer. We look forward to working with each supplier and continuing our positive relationships”.

Read more information about the new Suffolk County Council £500m Construction and Building Services Framework here.