‘Magnificent seven’ to showcase Black Country

A new campaign to revive the fortunes of businesses in the Black Country has been unveiled.

Bostin’ Black Country Business, launched by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, aims to showcase the region’s most innovative, resilient and globally trading companies. 

The campaign highlights seven inaugural members: KMB Shipping Group, Bowers & Jones, In-Comm Training, Paycare, TPSquared, Beacon Centre for the Blind and Dudley Canal & Caverns, all of whom will display the Bostin’ Black Country Business badge and share their success stories at Chamber events and media opportunities, promoting the region’s strengths across industry, technology, digital, finance and tourism.

Officials say the campaign will aim to add new members to the Chamber every quarter, with a view to creating an alumni-style network that includes all Black Country Chamber Business Awards winners, as well as nominations from the Chamber board and possibly even a public vote.

Sarah Moorhouse, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are always looking at new ways of promoting the strengths of our area and celebrating the brilliant companies and entrepreneurs that are based here.

“Bostin’ is a word unique to the Black Country and sums up something that is brilliant – whether that is innovation, modern day manufacturing success, life science firms going global or any of the wide array of tourist attractions we have across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

“This got us thinking – let’s approach some of our very best businesses and see if we can get them on board for an official campaign that can showcase what makes the Black Country so special.

“The magnificent seven are our first Bostin’ inductees and are an eclectic mix of brilliant business minds, pioneering charity leaders and international experts.”

Sarah added: “Manchester has the bee, Birmingham the bull and now we want the Bostin’ badge to become our icon.

“There is so much potential in our region, and we want to do everything we can to kickstart economic growth by leveraging our traditional strengths whilst embracing new, emerging sectors.”

Paul Hull, co-owner of KMB Shipping Group, in Tipton, added: “This is some honour – especially when you consider we are surrounded by so many outstanding companies.

“We export and import cargo for companies worldwide and three of the lads who started here at 16 now own the business.

“Global trade isn’t easy, and I suppose the resilience we have shown in growing despite the host of challenges and international uncertainty we’ve faced, is synonymous with the ‘can-do’ attitude of the Black Country.”

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