MORE than 100 companies from the two counties will come together in Worcester this Thursday to sell their products to buyers from large national companies.

The Meet the Buyer event, at the Bank House Hotel, Bransford, near Worcester, is the first of its kind in the area and is estimated to bring in at least £1m in new business for the region.

Around 30 buyers actively looking for new sources of supply will be there, including manufacturers of furniture, shop fittings, central heating boilers, roof tiles, car lighting and roller blinds.

Buyers from the structural steel, healthcare, cold forging and construction industries will also be there, as well as major government agencies and high-profile brand names such as L'Oreal.

Local companies who will be looking for products include Southco Manufacturing and Malvern Tubular Components.

Dean Brotherton, head of the Regional supply office at Advantage West Midlands, which is organising the event, said it provided an "unparalleled opportunity" to capture the manufacturing business community of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire areas in one venue.

"Suppliers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have really come to the party for this first Meet the Buyer event," said Mr Brotherton.

"This is an excellent result for local business and the regional economy."

A pre-event briefing was held on Friday, where appointment schedules for suppliers were arranged with the buyers.

"The enthusiasm at the pre-event briefing was high and the last-minute preparation and presentation tips will prove helpful for the actual event," said Mr Brotherton.

"Our aim is to introduce supplying companies to prestigious buyers in the hope new business opportunities will be created and the West Midlands economy receives a positive boost."

Members of the Regional Supply Office will be on hand during the event, hosting workshops and providing further networking opportunities.

"I would urge all companies attending to take advantage of the free business advice the team from Advantage West Midlands can offer," said Mr Brotherton.

"We are here to provide practical business support, improve business competitiveness by facilitating growth, creating access to new markets and to help modernise and diversify the regional economy."