London Olympics signal opportunies for Shropshire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dt4jjS_dyA

Everyone has seen the footage, the moment which brought the world's showpiece sporting event to Britain's shores.

"And the Olympics Games in 2012," a voice from an unseen stage proclaims to a room full of delegates, who subconsciously tip forward in their chairs as the anticipation mounts, "will go to . . . London."

Cue pandemonium.

The elation which followed the award of the Games to London remains a common sight on the increasingly regular television segments about the forthcoming sporting extravaganza.

It was actually made in July 2005, when the words "credit crunch" and "bankers' bonus" were barely heard on the streets of Britain.

Seven years on, and the world has changed.

There's six months to go before the eternal flame lights up London's new Olympic Stadium, and the opportunities the games will bring for tourism, for food and drink, for the whole look, feel and atmosphere of the nation, are being talked of in terms of salvation.

The games are being anticipated as something of a beacon of light in a year of gloom, and businesses must do their bit to make the most of Britain's moment in the sun.

Few can see the economy growing at a significant rate in the coming year, and the likelihood remains that the recovery from the devastating effects of the recession could be dragged out over the course of almost a decade.

Major Eurozone countries stand on the brink of defaulting on their sovereign debts, to the point that the whole Euro currency faces collapse.

Big name retailers have struggled and fallen by the wayside, and manufacturing growth has slowed. It's little wonder that the festive air of the Olympic Games feels like such a major opportunity to break the cycle of despair.

Shropshire isn't immune to the difficulties faced in the economy during 2011, nor indeed can we expect a surge in fortunes during 2012.

But the area enjoyed its share of success stories. Small businesses continue to burst into life, local innovators emerged from their homes and garages clutching fresh ideas, and established businesses veer in new and unexpected directions

Automotive supplier Cobra UK saw £20 million worth of orders come in for its new ultra-light car load floor, and major employers such as GKN Automotive and Epson celebrated major new orders finding their way on to the factory floors of Telford.

The problems faced in the current trading environment saw businesses looking beyond the county borders to grow their order books.

Heat treatment firm Maxsys joined an American fuel group while retaining its Donnington base, while entrepreneur Jonathan Kendrick, who runs ROK Global in Albrighton, set about looking for new and unique products from around the world to grow his portfolio.

Just because the gears of the economy need greasing, it shouldn't mean the whole system grinds to a permanent halt, and the Shropshire companies demonstrating success prove that there is little to gain from standing still.

This year's Olympic Games shouldn't simply provide a pinprick of light in black skies – it should be a catalyst for companies to have their voices heard, to boast about what they are already achieving.

The genesis of the modern Olympic movement in Much Wenlock demonstrates the link, and the access, Shropshire has to the spotlight.

And while there are daunting hurdles which must be overcome, those companies which grow, which really show that they are beating a true path through the economic storm, will be those placed on a podium decked in gold which glints beneath the glow of the Olympian torch.