A HUGE drive to streamline the way 230 high-tech firms in York conduct their business was launched today.

The initiative, by Science City York - the established partnership between the City of York Council and the University of York - could save hundreds of thousands of pounds in costs and generate a similar amount in extra sales.

It could also mean the promotion of new local, York-based supply networks, generating yet more business in the city.

Gareth Owens Communications consultancy has won the £30,000 contract to study the supply chains of each of seven pilot firms then advise them on how they can improve their competitiveness.

The firms were carefully chosen to represent Science City's three "clusters" - bioscience and healthcare, information and communication technology and heritage and arts technology.

Gareth Owens, managing director of the consultancy, hopes to present the seven case studies to delegates from all 230 Science City businesses at a seminar next January.

But Gillian Cruddas, president of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said she would be monitoring "this terrific idea" to see whether it can be applied to other sectors within the regional economy.

"There is always a lot of talk about 'best practice' but this initiative proves that we can all act on it too."

Anna Rooke, project manager for Science City, said: "This is a unique and specialist scheme to support the growth of Science City York companies and the wider business community in York.

"Improved supply chain management is known to deliver increased business efficiencies and new opportunities for firms. We are confident that this initiative will lead to the further growth of these sectors."

Mr Owens, who won the contract by competitive tender, moved his consultancy in York in January and since then he has quickly built up a reputation as a physicist who can communicate with scientists.

"One aspect I will be looking at is how to build up and take advantage of a network of local suppliers which should widely benefit the local economy," said Mr Owens, whose business has entered this year's Evening Press Business of the Year awards.