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What does the programme offer?

SME Challenges & Services

  • Identifying & accessing new market opportunities
    Access to market specialists with intelligence on LE's needs and development plans
  • Working with Large Companies
    Understanding supply chains and procurement (inc.bid writing, standards, cyber essentials, EDI & Social Value)
  • Targeting decision makers in the right way
    Marketing, Sales and BD support to refine marketing strategy and approach to new business
  • Supply Chain Readiness
    Development of capability reviews, action plans and delivery of improvement activity to meet buyer needs
  • Achieving new standards
    Help identifying areas of improvement and achieving appropriate standards
  • Digital Transformation
    Support in identifying the right technology to drive productivity, competitiveness and innovation

Collaboration & Networking

Keep an eye out for a wide range of cross-sector events taking place to help connect you to wider supply chain opportunities, as well as with the local and national business community. This will in turn lead to developing a strengthened peer to peer network for all businesses involved in the programme.

Supply Chain Exchange

Once you've signed up, you will be invited to join an online Exchange Portal. This community platform has been designed to enable intertrading opportunities between local businesses.

You will have free access to promote your business and its services and/or products via the members directory. You can also search the directory to find local businesses to fulfil your service needs.

Tender opportunities will also be made available via the portal, allowing you to quickly browse those relevant to your business. The portal also includes tips and guidance on how to complete tenders and pre-qualification documentation for all types of businesses.

Visit the Exchange Portal

Access to Diverse Supply Chains

A supply chain is a complex network of businesses and resources that are all involved in the production and delivery of a product or service, which includes suppliers, service providers, consultants, manufacturers, warehouses & logistics, distribution centres, retailers and many others.

By signing up to Sunderland Supply Chain, you will gain access to engagement events with regional stakeholders, service providers, industry bodies, and crucially those larger businesses

We can also help foster collaboration with local support networks, sector and trade organisations, as well as wider UK infrastructure projects.This connected approach will provide you with sector intelligence, services and resources to help you accelerate your supply chain growth.

Expert Support

Get personalised support from our experienced team of advisors and specialist external consultancy providers to address your specific supply chain challenges and opportunities, helping your business thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Support will be tailored to target your key barriers to productivity and growth, and is open to businesses across all sectors, including business and professional services, advanced manufacturing, digital & technology adoption. From start-ups to those looking to scale, this programme will help you overcome challenges preventing you from becoming more productive & resilient, winning new work, and developing new services and products for new and existing markets.

Large Organisations

Engage with large organisations to promote product and service opportunities for SMEs.

Carbon Reduction Support

Carbon Reduction Plans are becoming more important to businesses and are an expected part of any work with the larger businesses. We can help companies look at their impact toward Zero Carbon and help create Carbon Reduction Plans.