George Middleton George Middleton

MAP brings UK companies together with the Crown Commercial Service 

MAP has connected more than 75 UK companies with the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to discuss navigating CCS procurement processes and the vital role of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement projects. 

The CCS is the UK’s biggest public procurement organisation, managing and simplifying the procurement process for the government departments and public sector organisations it represents. Its main role is to help the public sector maximise every pound so precious resources can go where they’re needed most. 

In 2023/24, CCS customers achieved commercial benefits equal to £4.9 billion. Commercial benefits include factors such as cost savings and reaching carbon net zero targets.

Supplying through CCS offers the following benefits: 

  • Access to 20,000 public sector buyers. 

  • Opportunities across 83 categories of common goods and services, from construction to energy and research. 

  • A simplified procurement process that promotes transparency and fair competition. 

  • Prompt payment policy implementation. 

MAP has facilitated engagement in areas including accessing and navigating public sector tenders, how businesses can introduce new or innovative products into procurement frameworks, and the contribution of UK-made products to social value. 

MAP’s work with the CCS comes via its role advising Made in Britain on supply chains.  Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of more than 2,100 UK manufacturing companies. 

MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for.  MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.  MAP is increasingly focused on, and aligned with, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.   

For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com

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George Middleton George Middleton

MAP facilitates collaboration between the UK and Made in Ukraine

MAP delivers a cooperation agreement for Ukraine and Made in Britain to exchange knowledge and develop export, import and investment relationships. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in London by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and MAP Director George Middleton, advising and representing Made in Britian. 

Made in Ukraine is a Ukrainian government-led programme aiming to celebrate and encourage manufacturing, in an attempt to boost tax revenues, drive exports and make the country’s economy more resilient. 

Made in Britain is an independent industry trade association for UK manufacturers that license the official Made in Britain trademark – today used by more than 2,100 companies (95% SMEs).  Made in Britain helps buyers to identify UK made products, and Made in Britain companies to boost their sales at home and abroad. The mark is now recognised by 8 in 10 British businesses and well over half of consumers in the UK. 

The agreement will see Made in Britain share its experience and explore ways to expand cooperation between Ukrainian and British businesses, with MAP playing a significant role in the MOU’s ongoing delivery. Areas of collaboration include: 

  • Developing, protecting and licencing a ‘Made in’ trademark; 

  • Creating a platform for news and directory of manufacturing companies (predominantly SMEs); 

  • Nurturing a community of companies; and, 

  • Developing strategic relationships, including with government (domestically and internationally) and major business-to-business buyers. 

Read the press note from the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy here

Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Yuliia Svyrydenko said:  

“The United Kingdom has been actively supporting Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion. This year, we signed a Free Trade Agreement, which eliminates tariffs and quotas in bilateral trade until 2029. Now, we are moving to a new level of cooperation. The agreement with Made in Britain will open export opportunities for UK manufacturing companies and enhance the presence of Ukrainian goods in the British market. This is a significant boost to the ‘Made in Ukraine’ program launched this year by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It marks the first agreement with a similar foreign organization aimed at helping Ukrainian producers access new markets and boosting the export of goods made in Ukraine.”  

Made in Britain’s CEO John Pearce said: 

“Shocks to global supply chains have increased exponentially the emphasis on local buying. Choosing to procure high quality goods you can trust made by manufacturer you can rely on has become the mainstream business thinking through the UK and all over Europe.  Made in Britain goes from strength to strength.  We’re delighted to engage with the team at Made in Ukraine and make it easier for buyers and consumers to make the most responsible decisions with their purchasing power.” 

Director of MAP UK & International and Advisor to Made in Britain George Middleton said: 

“I’m delighted to meet Ms Svyrydenko and support Made in Ukraine.  We understand the deep value of manufacturing, to a country’s economy and people, as well as the resilience of critical national infrastructure that is essential to our everyday lives.  We see that across the UK and via our international trade and supply chain work in countries around the world.  We look forward to growing the ties between Ukrainian and UK businesses, through 2025 and beyond.” 

MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for.  MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.  MAP is increasingly focused on, and aligned with, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

For more information please contact info@mapukinternational.com.  

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George Middleton George Middleton

MAP connects UK companies to NATO 

MAP has connected more than 75 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with NATO to discuss opportunities to supply the organisation and explore its procurement processes.  

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a political and military alliance of countries from Europe and North America. Its members are committed to protecting each other from any threat.

As the world’s leading defence and security alliance, it buys significant amounts of goods and services.

MAP’s work to date has explored two main areas:

  • NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) - responsible for operations, life cycle management, and logistical support. In 2023, NSPA had a budget of approximately €10 billion, much of which was spent on goods and services relevant to SMEs.  

  • NATO’s Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) - handling NATO’s IT infrastructure, network services, and cybersecurity needs. In 2023, NCIA spent €800 million in these areas, offering opportunities for SMEs involved in technology and cybersecurity. 

MAP has also engaged with DIANA, NATO’s internal defence accelerator focused on emerging and disruptive technologies. Headquartered at Imperial College London, DIANA works with over 180 test centres across the NATO alliance. Of the 1,300 companies that applied to pilot challenges in 2023, 10 advanced to phase II, with four of these being from the UK. 

MAP’s work with NATO comes via its role advising Made in Britain on supply chains and international trade.  Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of more than 2,100 UK manufacturing companies.

MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for.  MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders. 

For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com

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George Middleton George Middleton

MAP links SMEs with the UK’s Cabinet Office 

MAP links up more than 30 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with the Cabinet Office in the UK, to discuss government supply chains and incoming Procurement Act. 

The Cabinet Office supports the UK Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government.  It employs around 2,000 staff and holds responsibilities including: 

  • Help to ensure the effective development, coordination and implementation of government policy.

  • Support the National Security Council and the Joint Intelligence Organisation, coordinating the government’s response to crises and managing the UK’s cyber security.

  • Promote efficiency and reform across government through innovation, better procurement and project management, and by transforming the delivery of services. 

The UK public sector is a major buyer - it purchases over £300 billion of goods and services every year.  This is roughly 12% of the UK's GDP.   

The Procurement Act, supported by the Transforming Public Procurement programme, aims to improve the way public procurement is regulated in order to create a simpler and more flexible, commercial system that better meets the UK’s needs while remaining compliant with international obligations.  It also aims to open up public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises so that they can compete for, win and supply more public contracts. 

MAP’s work with the Cabinet Office comes via its role advising Made in Britain on supply chains.  Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of more than 2,100 UK manufacturing companies. 

MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for.  MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.  MAP is increasingly focused on, and aligned with, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.  

For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com

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George Middleton George Middleton

UK supply: Home emergency kit

MAP curates and shares a sample list of UK manufacturers making at least one item of a home emergency kit, as defined by the UK government. MAP is proud to advise Made in Britain and support the UK manufacturing sector at large. This exercise aims to stimulate thinking and connections, amongst the companies identified, procuring authorities, and wider stakeholders.

MAP chooses a home emergency kit given MAP’s work for governments and the private sector, in the UK and internationally, on resilience and specifically conflict, disaster and emergency response.  Also, to help raise awareness of the UK government’s Prepare campaign.  

The Prepare campaign is designed to assist companies and members of the public prepare for emergencies, be more informed about hazards, and get involved in activities to support the community before, during and after an emergency.

HOME EMERGENCY KIT

Battery or wind-up torch  

Civil Defence Supply 

Clulite 

Samalite 

Night Searcher 

Portable power bank  

Portable Power Limited 

PMBL Limited  

Battery or wind-up radio 

Roberts  

Ruark 

Spare batteries  

CAB Special Batteries 

A first aid kit (or some first aid items)  

Lifesystems

Polymath Products

Halewood Chemicals 

Naiad Plastics Limited 

Electronic Temperature Instruments 

DS Medical  

Wallace Cameron International 

Hand sanitiser and wet wipes  

Solar Medical & Chemical Ltd  

HC Innovations 

Vernacare International ltd 

PDI (EMEA) LTD 

HMG Paints 

Bottled water  

Justadrop

Harrogate Spring 

Highland Spring 

Water in a box 

Non-perishable food 

Voom Nutrition 

RayGray Snacks Ltd 

Hodmedod’s 

Baxters 

Baby supplies  

Pearmine Health Ltd

Kendamil 

BORRN 

MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities we work for.  MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.

For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.

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