West Mids businesses to bid for Olympic torch design
Manufacturers in the West Midlands are being urged to leave their mark on the 2012 Olympic Games by bidding for a chance to be involved in the design, development and production of its new torches.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic games (LOCOG) and the Design Council are encouraging businesses with a track record of creating and producing "iconic consumer or industrial products" to register their interest on the CompeteFor website.
The two organisations are expected to put together an expert team to create 8,000 "visionary torches" that represent the best of life in the UK and will be used as part of the summer relays in two years’ time.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands (MAS-WM) - said the region’s track record in innovation and world-class engineering puts West Midlands-based manufacturers in "pole position" when competing for the tender.
Roy Pulley, head of innovation at MAS-WM, said: “We’ve got a wealth of skills in the region and, when it comes to producing products that are unique and cutting edge, there is no one better. It’s time for our firms to come forward and be part of London 2012 and create new jobs in the process.
“There are few opportunities associated to the Olympic Games that are so suited to the West Midlands and this is one we need to take full advantage of. It’s about time we started shouting about how good we are and what we can produce.”
