25 Nov 2018

Transport for Wales is transforming rail services in Wales and the borders with small and medium businesses set to play a key role in the transformation.

With contracts worth £50 million per year available over the next 15 years, Transport for Wales Rail Services is committed to working closely with local businesses to ensure they benefit from these significant investment levels and the real benefits are felt across the communities we serve.

The events are delivered in partnership with Business Wales, the Welsh Government’s flagship business support service, and will take place in Newbridge Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 13 November, and Bangor University Management Centre on Thursday, 15 November.

As part of that, we are excited to be hosting two "Meet the Buyer" events in north and south Wales in November so local businesses can find out more and prepare their bids.

The events are delivered in partnership with Business Wales, the Welsh Government’s flagship business support service, and will take place in Newbridge Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 13 November, and Bangor University Management Centre on Thursday, 15 November.

Service and supply contracts will be available in multiple fields including:

• Train spares
• Train and station cleaning
• Depot track maintenance
• Facilities Management
• Uniforms
• Recruitment and temporary labour
• Rail replacement buses
• Stationery
• PPE
• Oils and lubricants

Colin Lea Commercial and Customer Experience Director Transport for Wales Rail Services said: "As part of our commitment to building a world class railway for Wales and the Borders, we are passionate about working with local companies.

"There are so many fantastic businesses doing so many great things in Wales and we are excited to be able to meet some of those people and potentially work together.
"Ultimately, we exist to give every community we serve the best possible service and reinvesting in those local communities and economies is something we are very keen to do."

Howard Jacobson, Tendering Adviser at Business Wales, commented: “Business Wales have a plan in place to advise and help businesses all over Wales to become ‘Fit for Tender’ and be able to take advantage of this exciting opportunity over the next 15 years.
“Transport for Wales have an absolute commitment to ensuring that SMEs within Wales are able to take part in the supply of goods and services; and Business Wales will be delivering fully-funded workshops and advisory support to assist all levels of SMEs in the tendering process.”

The events will begin with key presentations, before moving to networking and small group sessions with TfW, Business Wales, Social Business Wales, Sell to Wales and Construction Future Wales.
Spaces are limited so register by Wednesday, 7th November by visiting http://bit.ly/meet-the-buyer or phoning 03000 6 03000.
Business Wales, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, supports the sustainable growth of small and medium size enterprises across the country by offering access to information, guidance and business support.

To find out how Business Wales can help start or develop your business, call 03000 6 03000, follow @_businesswales or @_busnescymru or visit www.businesswales.gov.wales/ or www.busnescymru.llyw.cymru/ for further information.