West Cumbria based RAF Engineering have heaped praise on the support they have received from the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service.

In an article published by business magazine and website in-Cumbria, Aneta Gibka – who owns the company alongside Rafal Gibki – expressed their ambition to secure a long-term contract with the £7bn Programme and Project Partners (PPP) framework.

Solomons is delivering the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service for PPP to help match high-performing SMEs willing to invest and grow in West Cumbria with Key Delivery Partners (KDPs) that secure work under PPP’s pioneering Multi Project Procurement commercial model.

RAF Engineering is one of 111 SMEs that have been assessed by the Service so far. They were graded silver after going through a process which scores submissions based on their employment practices, project delivery innovation, current and planned socio-economic impact activity in West Cumbria and their environment and sustainability credentials.

Armed with a five-year contract worth £1m per annum, the company has pledged to create 1-2 new full time jobs and recruit 2-3 apprentices each year. It also has its sights on expanding its existing facilities at Workington, commit to 70% local supply chain spend while ramping up its engagement with Gen 2 and Lakes College, and delivering a programme of social impact activities in West Cumbria.

“Solomons Europe have been so helpful and very supportive,” says Aneta in an article which details how RAF Engineering has doubled in size and invested heavily in new machinery and manufacturing software to drive since taking ownership in 2017.

Click here to read the full article.

Since sparking into action in April 2021, the Matchmaker Service has facilitated 48 Heads of Terms between SMEs and KDPs. And while strong has been made the team’s focus is firmly fixed on a strong start to 2023 when it aims to have the first of many long-term contracts agreed.

Keep up to date with Matchmaker Service’s progress and the latest developments from PPP by clicking here.

And if you’re an SME that it interested in going through the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service then click here to discover more about how it all works.

Solomons and the Matchmaker team are extremely proud to be play a part in achieving PPP’s shared ambition to create a clean and safe environment at the Sellafield site for future generations, improve sustainability and better outcomes for the local economy and communities.