Help Required for Delivering What Matters!
13 September 2017 16:45
If your business is seeking new opportunities, why not join us in Antrim on 2 November and see how you can help NI Water deliver what matters?
As NI Water marks a decade of delivering water and wastewater services in Northern Ireland, having invested a record £1.8 billion in this infrastructure over the last ten years, there has never been a more exciting time for companies, large and small, to come on board and work with us!
NI Water is focusing on a range of opportunities, and service providers are encouraged to attend NI Water’s annual Supplier Day, which will be held on Thursday 2 November 2017 and which will take place once again at NI Water’s Training Centre in Antrim. The now annual date in the business calendar is an opportunity for all current and potential suppliers to learn more about NI Water’s procurement process, our requirements over the next 12 months and how to respond to tenders.
This year, we have a particular, but far from limited, interest in the following areas:
- Mobile Work Management
- Telecoms
- Networks Maintenance
That’s only part of the story, however. The company is also making a wide range of tenders and potential opportunities available for a whole host of supplies, everything from paper cups to complex technical equipment!
As well as these specific supplies and services, NI Water would be delighted to meet suppliers with new ideas and innovative solutions, and is keen to invite such suppliers to come along to this year’s Suppliers’ Day event and meet the Research, Development and Innovation team.
Ronan Larkin, NI Water’s Director of Finance and Regulation, explains: “In the 2016/17 financial year alone, NI Water awarded contracts to the value of £165 million to suppliers and contractors. Many of these contracts have benefited local firms in many sectors, not least the construction and engineering sector, thereby continuing to support our local economy at a time of significant challenge.
‘‘The opportunities for local companies really are tremendous – for every £1 that NI Water invests, the wider knock-on effect in our community is almost double that. In all, as we invest over £620 million in water and wastewater infrastructure over the current Price Control period between 2015 and 2021, we also spend £870 million in goods, services and wages, supporting upwards of 350 local businesses along the way – that all adds up to a hugely positive £2.5 billion ripple effect for our community every year. It truly is worth the while of any potential supplier to come along on 2 November and see what opportunities are available.
‘‘As an example of our commitment to assisting the Northern Ireland economy, NI Water is delighted to be able to work with Belfast-based Heyn Engineering, who have recently been awarded a £3.25 million safety and maintenance contract, delivering vital safety equipment to our staff and contractors. We are also proud to work alongside many smaller suppliers, such as Ruth McClenaghan of the County Down-based Meelmore Lodge restaurant, who was recently awarded the contract to run the café facility at our highly popular Silent Valley site, in the heart of Mourne country.
“Joining us once again at this year’s Suppliers’ Day event is InterTradeIreland who will be on hand to provide advice, particularly in the area of consortium bid opportunities.
“I would strongly encourage the local business community, whatever your focus, to come along and meet our procurement teams.”
This will be the first Supplier Day event where Invest NI will be in attendance. Sam Knox from Invest NI will be there to promote Research and Development opportunities and Trade and Supply Chain opportunities.
Those interested in booking a 20-minute meeting slot with a procurement officer are required to pre-book by completing the registration form available on our website and emailing it to sourcing@niwater.com
Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis.
If you would like further information on the event, please click here.