Business leaders and regeneration specialists are backing a £35m bid for government funds for a major road improvement scheme to unlock the potential of what could be one of the most important development areas in the Midlands. They argue that Darlaston offers prospects for economic growth, new jobs and skills, but that it requires investment to open up those opportunities. Walsall Council has applied to the Department for Transport for £35m to upgrade Bentley Mill Way and Bentley Road South – the area’s principal north-south routes – including new bridges, junction improvements, new access points, road widening and resurfacing.

Manufacturing needs to be at the heart of the political debate, a leading sector watcher claims. As the leaders of the three main political parties prepare to go head-to-head on the economy in tonight’s last televised debate in Birmingham, Tom Lawton, head of manufacturing at accountant BDO in the city, said: "The general election is a real opportunity for Brown, Cameron and Clegg to emphasise the importance of manufacturing and exports in helping to deliver a well-balanced and healthy economy. But I'm not convinced that any of them have yet shown their true colours when it comes to supporting Britain's manufacturers.”

Why don't we hear more about Midlands companies winning Olympic contracts? In the latest edition of his weekly blog, Midlands Business Insider editor Andy Coyne looks at the tendering process, the progress of Midlands businesses, what's left to fight for of the promised goldmine and who's likely to win big in the next round of contracts. For more from Andy, click here.

Global company Samsung Electronics will launch the Samsung Digital Service Academy, the result of a collaboration with Birmingham Metropolitan College, on Friday. The new state-of-the-art learning centre is housed in the college’s Matthew Boulton campus in central Birmingham. Dr Christine Braddock, principal and chief executive of Birmingham Metropolitan College, said: “As an inspirational organisation that promotes excellence, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Samsung to deliver this unique programme which will bring benefits to a wide range of new learners.”

Birmingham’s Weatherite Building Services (WBS) has designed and installed an air conditioning system for Stockport train station. The contract was awarded by Dalkia Rail, the energy and facilities management specialist, on behalf of Virgin Trains. WBS sales director Martin Thomas said: “The system was completed just two weeks after quoting for the job.” WBS is part of the £40m Weatherite Group.

A West Midlands graduate recruitment specialist is reporting a growing number of graduate placements within the manufacturing industry. Grad Central says manufacturing companies are keen to utilise the specialist degree-level skills of graduates to stand out from the crowd. Marketing director Lucy Cheatham said: “There is a generation of young talent out there who have the specialist experience gained from their university degrees. This is what is needed for this industry, as well as candidates who exceed the compulsory criteria of technical manufacturing roles.”

Businesses in Birmingham are remaining risk averse in their payment practices after suffering during the recession, according to the latest report from local trade credit insurer Atradius. The research found that nearly 70 per cent of companies are adjusting payment terms for customers between the sectors they deem to be at risk or robust. Regional manager Vince O’Brien said: “Many businesses in Birmingham had their fingers burned during the recession, especially where they were more flexible in regards to when they received payment for their goods and services.”

A Midlands transatlantic business organisation has merged with Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI). The British American Business Council in the Midlands (BABC) is responsible for developing business relationships between the region and the United States, which is the Midlands’ biggest foreign direct investor. It has been based in the BCI’s Edgbaston headquarters for a number of years. The merger follows the BCI’s announcement last week that it had acquired Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and further strengthens its position as the region’s leading business support organisation.

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The site of the former Birmingham Mint development, on Icknield Street, in Hockley, has been sold by administrator Deloitte to Raybone Developments (Mint). Joint administrators Matt Cowlishaw and Dominic Wong of Deloitte completed the sale of the site, which was part of the Junared Group of companies that fell into administration in June last year. The development will create 192 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, together with 51,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Allen Matty has been appointed managing director at West Midlands Chambers of Commerce. He was formerly operations director of the organisation, which is a partnership of the seven West Midlands chambers of commerce. Matty’s background is in international trade, where he has spent more than 25 years in various sales and management roles. Latterly at WMCC he has been responsible for the delivery of international trade services throughout the West Midlands.