Wolverhampton business celebrated as Heathrow praises strength of its nationwide supply chain
Wolverhampton based Zaun Fencing, the UK's sole in-house manufacturer of mesh fencing systems, has been praised as a crucial pillar in Heathrow Airport's extensive nationwide supply chain.
The Black Country business was celebrated at an event in MakeUK’s headquarters in Westminster.
Heathrow and MakeUK have partnered to showcase the businesses up and down the country that power the UK’s busiest airport.
Zaun Fencing has supplied Heathrow with British-made security fencing since 2017. It supports Heathrow’s perimeter protection and 2030 decarbonisation goals and the partnership has led to Zaun Fencing developing a new patented security system, showcasing British innovation and manufacturing on a global stage.
Heathrow’s chief communications and sustainability officer, Nigel Milton, said: “The UK’s Gateway to Growth is a national effort. Small businesses up and down the country are vital to enable Heathrow to connect all of the UK to global markets.”
Heathrow, which welcomes more than 80 million passengers and £200 billion of trade every year, is one of the UK’s largest private sector investors and in 2024 invested £1.1bn into its supply chain.
Of the 1,100 businesses in Heathrow's direct supply chain, 750 are SMEs, accounting for 60 per cent of its supplier base.
Ben Fletcher, chief operating officer at Make UK - the voice of the country’s manufacturing community, said: "Heathrow is one of the world’s greatest airports and global brand and a national asset for the UK.
“This celebration of their investment in UK companies up and down the country demonstrates the domestic boost from this hub-airport, and we welcome Heathrow’s continued commitment to prioritise British manufacturing in its supply chain delivery.”
Sureena Brackenridge, MP for Wolverhampton North East, added: “The more Heathrow is successful, the more that growth and investment will trickle down into constituencies like mine and benefit companies like Zaun but also create better jobs, skills and opportunities for my community.”
Heathrow has just submitted its 2027-31 business plan to the regulator, the CAA, proposing £10bn of investment to create new terminal space, 20 per cent more cargo capacity and an improved passenger experience. This is expected to bring further billions of pounds of private investment into the Heathrow supply chain, opening up opportunities for more businesses across the UK.
