LATEST NEWS
BEN GILHESPY: HOW DO BUSINESSES WIN WORK FROM BIGGER FIRMS
In his latest column, Ben Gilhespy of the Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN) looks at the challenges smaller companies face when trying to win contracts with larger regional and national firms – and what they can do to ensure their time preparing quotes and...
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NEW DATE ANNOUNCED FOR EMCON 2019
EMCON, the region’s biggest engineering and manufacturing expo, will return in 2019 on a new date. Historically the networking exhibition has been held on the third Thursday in October, however in response to exhibitor and delegate feedback the event will be now held...
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MEMBER MESSAGE: HAPPY NEW YEAR
Here at the Engineering and Manufacturing Network we'd like to wish all of our members, affiliate partners and the region's thriving business community a very happy new year. It's fair to say 2018 has been a year of many many highlights, and we've been delighted to...
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BUSINESSES LEADING THE WAY IN INNOVATIVE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Businesses in the North East are leading the way in innovative product development. That’s the message from Ben Gilhespy, operations director at the newly rebranded The Engineering and Manufacturing Network. He believes companies in the North East are becoming more...
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OUR RE-BRAND TO THE ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING NETWORK IS CONFIRMED
A network which supports businesses within the engineering and manufacturing sectors has rebranded to reflect its growth regionally. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network will now be known as The Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN). The name...
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EMCON 2018: INCUBATOR ZONE EXHIBITING FIRMS PLANNING FOR GROWTH
Companies from across County Durham who exhibited at EMCON for the very first time are putting in place plans to grow. Eighteen new or growing SMEs signed up to participate in this year’s Incubator Zone, which was a key element of EMCON 2018. The programme, which is...
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COMPANIES PURSUING WORK AFTER THIS YEAR’S EMCON
This year’s EMCON 2018 has been rated as a huge success, with close to one thousand people passing through the doors. And now, one week on, exhibitors and visitors alike are now following up on leads and new contacts made on the day. The showcase event, which has been...
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NATIONAL AWARD WIN FOR CDEMN
County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) has won a prestigious national award. The support organisation was nominated at the Small Business Awards, which was hosted by CV- Magazine. Operations Director Ben Gilhespy has now been advised that CDEMN...
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JACKSON HOGG’S EMCON PANEL DEBATE LINE-UP CONFIRMED
Recruitment specialist Jackson Hogg is hosting a world class panel of industry experts at an event showcasing the best of North East engineering and manufacturing. The question and answer session is being held as part of EMCON 2018 – the Engineering and Manufacturing...
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READ BEN GILHESPY’S SUNDERLAND ECHO PORTFOLIO COLUMN HERE
Ben Gilhespy is Operations Director at County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN). The organisation has 250 members from across the North East who want to tap into the network’s support and vast pool of expert partners who can facilitate their plans...
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DOZENS OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES BOOK FOR EMCON
Dozens of manufacturing and engineering companies from around the region have booked their place at this year’s EMCON event. Among those to have confirmed they’ll be exhibiting are Advanced Handling, the Bignall Group, Advance Automation, Tinius Olsen and Hiatco. Also...
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COMPANIES BOOK FOR INCUBATOR ZONE
Companies from across County Durham have booked their place at this year's EMCON Incubator Zone. Those that have already signed up are; Beacon 365 Body Engineering Ashgarth Engineering Gil Devlin Business Coach System 88 NCG Solutions Climate Action North East...
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CYBER SECURITY THE TOPIC FOR EEF EVENT
Businesses are being invited to attend a free event to raise awareness of the risks of cyber security breaches. EEF has organised the event which is open to members of CDEMN. The event is on Tuesday, July 17, from 9am to 11.30am at EEF House, Queens Park, Queens Way...
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CDEMN MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO ENTER MINE AWARDS
Insider’s annual celebration of the region’s manufacturing sector, the Made in the North East Awards, are being launched today. Entries are now being sought for the ten awards, which this year includes three new award categories. The Made in the North East Awards are...
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NORTH EAST BUSINESS CONFIDENCE CONTINUES TO RISE
Business confidence in the North East has risen seven points since June to 35 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in the North East report higher economic optimism at 41 per cent, although firms’...
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CDEMN SUPPORTING CPI TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP
An innovation company is hosting a workshop to help businesses ramp up cutting-edge technology work to strengthen their marketplace standing. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) will be offering advice on access to funding and networking opportunities for...
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IT REFURBISHMENT COMPANY ACHIEVES MAJOR INDUSTRY STANDARD
An IT refurbishment company from Peterlee has achieved a major industry standard. Protech City, an IT asset retirement and Microsoft-registered refurbishing company based in Peterlee, has recently achieved the ADISA Standard which is a risk assessment of the entire...
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CDEMN ANNOUNCED AS ‘MAKE YOUR MARK’ SPONSOR
Hundreds of people are expected to gather for a fourth annual business awards ceremony later this month. PWS were crowned Company of the Year during the 2016-17 Make Your Mark awards final, which is open to companies on Aycliffe Business Park, in County Durham. Seven...
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EMCON ANNOUNCES STADLER RAIL UK AS HEADLINE SPONSOR
Engineering and manufacturing expo EMCON has secured one of Europe’s biggest rail manufacturers as its first ever headline sponsor. Stadler Rail, which last year was a gold sponsor alongside long term supporter Business Durham, was so impressed with the event that it...
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BOOK YOUR PLACE AT EMCON’S INCUBATOR ZONE 2018 TODAY
County Durham businesses that are keen to showcase their products and services to potential new customers are being recruited for the second phase of a support programme. Last year saw the launch of the inaugural Incubator Zone programme at EMCON. And this year, as...
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ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING EXPO REBRANDS AS EMCON
Engineering and manufacturing expo Durham Oktoberfest is re-branding as EMCON to reflect 10 years of growth. Over 50 invited delegates from the North East’s business community were told the news at a breakfast launch at Ramside Hall Hotel this week. The event, which...
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GALLERY: OFFICIAL EMCON REBRAND LAUNCH
Today, CDEMN was delighted to welcome dozens of people from the North East’s business community for the launch of EMCON. Business leaders, exhibitors, sponsors and stakeholders attended the event at Ramside Hall, which was hosted by Leanne English, MD of LEC...
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GROWTH AND RELOCATION FOR INCUBATOR ZONE’S MORALBOX
Seaham-based software company Moralbox has bolstered its team with two new members and moved to new offices after becoming the first company to benefit from the Finance Durham incubator fund. Moralbox, who exhibited within Durham Oktoberfest's first Incubator Zone in...
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PARAGON ANNOUNCES ‘SIGNIFICANT STEP IN DIGITAL PRODUCTION’
Durham Oktoberfest exhibitor, Paragon Rapid Technologies, has announced that one of its additive manufacturing materials has been recognised by Global Automotive Standard. The Carbon-branded engineering-grade, ABS-like 3D print material RPU70, has been officially...
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SUCCESSION PLANNING KEY TO BUSINESS GROWTH
Businesses are being offered advice and support to put in place plans to help them ensure their long- term growth and success. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) has teamed up with a number of its affiliate members and partners to deliver an...
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JOIN OUR NETWORK TODAY
County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) is supporting over 200 businesses from across the county, helping them form new relationships, tap into funding pots and sign up for workshops that could help them grow. For a small cost (annual membership is...
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REGIONAL FIRMS AMONG THE MOST CONFIDENT NATIONALLY
North East firms are among the most confident in the UK, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Business confidence in the region rose 24 points during February to reach 42 per cent, the second highest in the country, the...
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INCUBATOR ZONE 2018 OPENS FOR BUSINESS
County Durham businesses that are keen to showcase their products and services to potential new customers are being recruited for the second phase of a support programme. Last year saw the launch of the inaugural Incubator Zone programme at Durham Oktoberfest. And...
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DYER DIRECTOR ADDED TO FINANCE EVENT LINE-UP
Richard Bradley, the finance director at Stanley-based manufacturing company Dyer Engineering, has been confirmed as a speaker at tomorrow's finance event. The event has been organised by South Durham Enterprise Agency supported by CDEMN and gives manufacturing...
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CDEMN CHAIRMAN JOINS EBAC TEAM
A manufacturing specialist, David Land has joined Ebac to drive further growth at the County Durham-based electrical goods manufacturer. It is the only British company to produce washing machines, dehumidifiers and water coolers in the UK. David’s remit is to work...
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2018 INCUBATOR ZONE OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Are you a micro or small business based in County Durham, with links to the engineering and manufacturing sectors? Are you interested in breaking into new markets but don’t have the budget or resources to exhibit at an event like Durham Oktoberfest? Do you employ less...
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BANKING CHIEFS TO ADDRESS MANUFACTURING SECTOR ISSUES
Manufacturing companies in County Durham are being given the chance to learn more about financial issues facing the sector. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) is supporting an event organised by South Durham Enterprise Agency which will see...
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MAVEN CP: FUNDING GROWTH AND INNOVATION IN THE NORTH EAST
As one of the UK’s most active SME finance providers, Maven has invested over £50 million in manufacturing and engineering businesses and has played a vital role in fuelling growth in these sectors. The UK has a proud history in manufacturing, with the North East...
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COUNTY DURHAM’S ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING SECTORS THRIVING
Engineering and manufacturing companies from across County Durham are being given a helping hand thanks to a network created to support growth within the sectors. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) was launched two years ago to support these...
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OKTOBERFEST INCUBATOR ZONE EXHIBITORS WIN CONTRACTS
Exhibitors who participated in a new programme at the region’s biggest engineering and manufacturing expo have secured more than 10 new contracts worth over £200,000 between them. Twenty one companies from across County Durham signed up to the very first Incubator...
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NORTH EAST MOST BUSINESS CONFIDENT REGION
Business confidence in the North East is the highest of any UK region but firms’ investment plans have fallen despite their optimistic outlook. That's according to the latest Business in Britain report from Lloyds Bank. Business confidence in the North East –...
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BELTING OKTOBERFEST FOR MANUFACTURING FIRM GB
A manufacturing company which makes belting products for a diverse range of sectors has secured two significant contracts after exhibiting at Durham Oktoberfest. GB Belting, which exports its products to over 70 countries worldwide, was involved in the manufacturing...
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CDEMN BOARD END OF YEAR REVIEW
Here we are, approaching the end of another year in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Generally business is buoyant with some great success stories to be found. And what’s encouraging is that these successes come from a diverse range of companies. Many of the...
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CDEMN SUPPORTS NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEEERS
Where possible CDEMN likes to support the next generation of engineers by encouraging them to look to our sector as an aspirational source of employment. Frequently their embedded belief is still that its an industry steeped in blue overalls and oil (which of course...
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£4M DIGITAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME TO LAUNCH FOR SMEs
A £4M programme will help small businesses in County Durham thrive in a digital world by gaining a competitive edge and maximising their growth. Digital Drive County Durham, the first of its kind in the county, will also help companies become more resilient and...
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NEW BUSINESS DURHAM MD ANNOUNCED
The new managing director of the economic development organisation for County Durham will be looking to build on the excellent progress made by its team. Brian Archer has joined Business Durham, which is part of Durham County Council, where he will also build on...
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BUSINESSES PLANNING THEIR OKTOBERFEST 2018 RETURN
Dozens of exhibitors including one of Europe’s leading train builders are planning their Durham Oktoberfest 2018 return. The event, held at the Xcel Centre on October 19, was the most successful yet with over 100 companies showcasing their products and services to an...
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MORALBOX IS FIRST COMPANY TO BENEFIT FROM FINANCE DURHAM FUND
A new investment fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners, has completed its first incubator investment. Moralbox, a Seaham-based technology start-up which helps employers and employees work together to manage training records, has received £40,000 from the Finance...
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OKTOBERFEST 2018: BOOK TO EXHIBIT NOW
Do you want the opportunity to forge new relationships and win new work? If the answer is yes, then you should be booking your spot as an exhibitor at our 2018 event. Durham Oktoberfest is the perfect platform to showcase your business to an audience of over 1,000...
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BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED TO GROW CLOSER TO HOME
Successful businesses who have established their brand nationally and internationally are being encouraged to look closer to home as they continue to grow. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) is working with companies in the area to look at...
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BUSINESSES PURSUING LEADS AFTER OKTOBERFEST INCUBATOR ZONE
Businesses who participated in the very first Incubator Zone at this year’s Durham Oktoberfest have secured new contracts and are following up dozens of promising leads. Twenty-one companies from across County Durham exhibited as part of a Durham Business...
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FUTURE BUSINESS MAGNATES COMPETITION LAUNCHES
Young entrepreneurs have been set the challenge of thinking ‘smart’ when developing their business ideas for a competition designed to inspire enterprise skills among schoolchildren. Future Business Magnates (FBM) – an annual competition run by Business Durham, the...
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WHY COUNTY DURHAM IS THE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS
There has never been a better time to do business in Durham. From the multimillion pound redevelopment plans currently underway in the historic cathedral city, to the £12.6 million expansion of the county’s flagship science park, Durham is buzzing with investment and...
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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE OKTOBERFEST 2017 THE BEST YET
This year’s Durham Oktoberfest event has received some fantastic feedback and many of you are already planning to return next year. There’s so many people who made our event successful, but a special thank you goes to our sponsors and partners: Business Durham Stadler...
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BUSINESSES PURSUING LEADS AFTER SUCCESSFUL TENTH OKTOBERFEST
Hundreds of businesses are following up leads after the tenth Durham Oktoberfest, held in Newton Aycliffe last week. The engineering and manufacturing expo attracted record exhibitors and footfall as companies large and small met new contacts, refreshed old...
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