{"id":58743,"date":"2015-07-03T09:36:44","date_gmt":"2015-07-03T09:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=9cf0ec1dbaac77aa0ac394c3080c32d3"},"modified":"2015-07-03T09:36:44","modified_gmt":"2015-07-03T09:36:44","slug":"news-story-ukti-dso-mbda-event-offers-potential-contract-work-for-uk-smes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=58743","title":{"rendered":"News story: UKTI DSO \/ MBDA event offers potential contract work for UK SMEs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This was the first time MBDA worked in partnership with UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO<\/abbr>) Small Business Unit (SBU<\/abbr>) to host a \u2018Meet the Technologist\/Innovation Day\u2019.<\/p>\n

The event was opened by Stephen Phipson, Head of UKTI DSO<\/abbr>, and took place on Tuesday 30 June.<\/p>\n

MBDA<\/a>, one of the UK\u2019s leading defence contractors, offered high hopes of contract work to the elite UK Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs<\/abbr>) invited to attend.<\/p>\n

Over 7,000 UK SMEs<\/abbr> we invited to this event. The MBDA requirements were so strict that only 63 companies passed the initial selection, and only 33 UK SMEs<\/abbr> were invited to attend.<\/p>\n

Supply chain<\/h2>\n

Working with larger established companies (primes) gives SMEs<\/abbr> a potentially lucrative outlet for their goods and services, and allows them to be part of large export orders.<\/p>\n

It also benefits the primes, as it promotes innovation, and increases size and versatility of supply chains. All of which helps primes meet their contract obligations.<\/p>\n

Keynote speech<\/h2>\n

Philip Dunne, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, the importance of innovation to the MoD<\/abbr>\u2019s procurement plan<\/a> and the key role played by UK SMEs<\/abbr> in this process. <\/p>\n

He reassured the audience that the defence procurement budget was in good shape and would provide plenty of opportunities for UK SMEs<\/abbr> to win business. <\/p>\n

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\"Philip<\/div>
Philip Dunne MP delivers the keynote address<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One-to-one technical sessions<\/h2>\n

Each SME had at least one 25 minute private appointment with an MBDA technologist.<\/p>\n

As each SME was hand-selected to attend by MBDA there is every indication that a high percentage will be able to secure supply chain or other contract work with the company. <\/p>\n

Informal feedback on the day suggested that SMEs<\/abbr> were highly delighted and very optimistic about the way these discussions had developed.<\/p>\n

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\"1<\/div>
1 to 1 appointments with MBDA\u2019s technology teams offered great potential to UK SMEs<\/abbr><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Market stalls<\/h2>\n

There were a range of stalls to keep SMEs<\/abbr> occupied while waiting for their appointments. <\/p>\n

MBDA brought a number of marketing stalls:<\/p>\n