(Image credit: Clare Louise Jackson, Shutterstock)
SCOTTISH firms have been urged to register for work on HS2 after it emerged that only 56 businesses north of the border have secured a share of tier two contracts on the project.
The amount of contracts awarded to Scottish firms lags behind every other UK nation and region, with the 56 firms sharing contracts worth £137 million – whilst businesses in the West Midlands, south east, and east of England have each netted over £1 billion worth of work.
As a result, HS2 is urging more Scottish firms to register their details on its supplier platform, CompeteFor, so they can capitalise on contracts opening to tender. New contracts worth millions are set to be released next year, which HS2 said will create opportunities to supply track, power, overhead catenary, telecoms, signalling, mechanical and electrical fit-out.
Robin Lapish, supply chain lead at HS2, said, “2024 will be a significant year in HS2’s construction, as we begin the transition from civils to rail, whilst simultaneously starting to fit out the new superhub station in West London and build two new stations in Birmingham.
“There’s a five-year pipeline of work ahead, which offers enormous potential for those looking to expand their order books. HS2 publishes details of all its current and future contract opportunities, so there’s plenty of time for businesses to start getting HS2-ready.”
71% of the Scottish firms supplying goods and materials to HS2 are SMEs. Perthshire-based Zappshelter, which provides bespoke storage solutions and undercover work spaces, seized the chance to install its products at HS2 construction sites across the West Midlands.
Craig Michel, MD at ZappShelter, said, “HS2 is arguably the best example in living memory of a national infrastructure project that has delivered meaningful engagement with countless SMEs across the country, providing them with real, tangible benefits. As a family business, we’re exceptionally proud of our contribution to this project over the past few years. We’ve been involved in the initial stages of each site, assisting contractors with setting up site compounds, storage areas, workshops and training facilities across the HS2 network.
“Being awarded projects on HS2 has enabled us to make significant improvements in our business, including upskilling our existing workforce via training programmes, employing more people from our local community, investing in new equipment and systems, and agreeing supply contracts with numerous other UK SMEs. For many SMEs HS2 will forever be remembered as the project that put them firmly on the map and defined their future.”
