This quarter’s focus is retail logistics and digital retail innovation. We’re inviting UK SMEs to share ideas that support our operational goals and improve the passenger experience at Heathrow.
We’re particularly interested in solutions that support our Consolidation Centre, alongside new retail partners for our Reserve & Collect platform.
Chilled pallet processing
Media or equipment that can receive standard UK, Chep or Euro pallets and maintain chilled temperatures (0–8°C) for at least six hours.
High-level automated storage
Smart, automated pallet storage that increases capacity without increasing footprint.
Real-time update platform
Software that brings real-time updates into one place, allowing teams to share data, track activity and raise queries across departments.
The next big thing
New materials, smarter handling equipment, energy-efficient solutions, or technology that reduces manual processes and improves operational visibility.
We’re looking for products that:
To support a fast, reliable customer experience, we’re prioritising two fulfilment models:
If you have questions or want to check whether your idea is a good fit, it’s worth getting in touch sooner rather than later.
The Heathrow SME Academy is a new programme designed to help small and medium-sized businesses develop the skills and confidence needed to work with large purchasing organisations, like Heathrow. It offers a mix of in-person and virtual workshops, as well as 1-2-1 mentor support opportunities. The programme is free to participate in.
In this full-day, in-person workshop, you will gain practical knowledge and skills on areas linked to our minimum procurement requirements, such as:
There will also be one module on bidding strategies delivered by our partner Branduin.
In addition, after attending the workshop, you will have the opportunity to apply for 1-2-1 mentorship. All of our volunteering mentors are senior experts from our supply chain.
For more information, please visit SME Academy | Heathrow.
This is your chance to get ahead, grow your business, and engage with one of the UK’s largest infrastructure hubs.
Following the success of previous Summits, we were pleased to deliver the 2025 event. This annual gathering provided a key opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses to connect with Heathrow’s supply chain, build meaningful partnerships, and explore new avenues for growth.
Attendees had the chance to expand their networks and gain valuable insights from industry experts, making the 2025 summit an important milestone for fostering collaboration and innovation.
The summit will be returning in Q4 2026! Stay tuned for updates on the date, venue, and theme.
Catch up on our past events and milestones on CompeteFor, including examples like the implementation of the Heathrow Net Zero Plan and Heathrow Business Summit successes.
