Since 2007 the ODA has travelled the UK talking to companies about how they can access opportunities helping to deliver the venues and infrastructure for London 2012 Games. The ‘big build’ is hitting its peak this year the ODA still has at least 100 direct contracts remaining from building the BMX bike track to temporary elements of the Shooting venue, however the bulk of upcoming London 2012-related opportunities will be with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).

The ODA has engaged with businesses through roadshows, seminars, industry days and events and showcased the companies already working on the project from sniffer dog trainers in Wales to tree suppliers in Hampshire.

During this visit to the East Midlands (31 March/1 April) John Armitt met several of the 100 local businesses that have won work on the London 2012 construction project, including suppliers of concrete, timber cladding, and lifting equipment.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'Businesses of all types and sizes are helping to deliver the London 2012 Games. While the bulk of the ODA’s direct contracts have now been awarded, there are still opportunities through the UK-wide supply chain and with LOCOG. Companies should "seize the moment" and sign up to CompeteFor, the online business dating agency, to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity.'

John Armitt visited:

• Evans Concrete, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire is supplying a number of London 2012 construction projects including the Aquatics Centre, entrances to local stations and bridges onto the Olympic Stadium.
• Wood Newton, from Nottinghamshire is supplying the wood cladding for the Velodrome roof finish and the roof lights.
• Fosse Liquitrol, manufactures and suppliers spillage response equipment and material to deal with potentially harmful spillages on the site.
• Lavendon Access Services, based in Lutterworth, provide lifting equipment at the Olympic Village ‘big build’.

John Armitt will also meet business from all over the East Midlands at the Leicester Tigers’ ground and inform them of the opportunities to become involved with supplying products and services to London 2012.

Chief Executive of emda, Jeff Moore added: 'There are still plenty of contracts relating to the Games, that businesses in the East Midlands can get involved with. Since emda helped to set up CompeteFor, over 3,000 East Midlands businesses have published their profiles on the website and are bidding to win contracts.

'It's amazing how diverse the range of contracts is, and I would urge all businesses in the East Midlands to just take a look at the CompeteFor website to see whether there are opportunities that they can bid for.'

Notes to Editors:

1. A document summarising the ODA’s business engagement activity can be downloaded at: http://www.london2012.com/publications/business-engagement.php

2. 1,300 companies have supplied the ODA to date through contracts worth a total of £5 billion, including 100 from the East Midlands. The total amount of contracts awarded is 1,300. The total amount of contracts awarded in East Midlands is 100.

3. A Business Benefits map showing the range of companies across the UK that have worked on the construction project to date can be downloaded at http://www.london2012.com/documents/business/building-for-2012.pdf

 For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)20 3 2012 700.

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The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog.