NEWS & FEATURES
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...
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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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NETPARK SCULPTURE CAN BE SEEN FROM SPACE
A bold sculpture specially designed to be visible on satellite imagery has been installed at the new gateway to one of the country’s leading science parks. The entire structure, created by inflating and stretching stainless steel, has been designed and made by...
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DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT OVER COMPANY CARS
One of the many perks a business can provide is access to a company car. However, whether or not HMRC recognises the car as a commercial/business vehicle is another question. Recently, a car and car fuel benefit charge of over £40k was demanded (before interest and...
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NEW TAX DIRECTOR AT CDEMN AFFILIATE TAIT WALKER
Tait Walker, the largest independent accountancy firm in the North East, has appointed Andrew Fitton as tax director to join its growing tax team. Andrew joins the Tait Walker team with a wealth of experience in corporate and business tax. Andrew’s prior experience...
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SMEs TO RECEIVE FREE TRAINING TO ADDRESS SKILLS GAP
Small businesses across County Durham are to receive free training to help address skills gaps as part of a £6m Government initiative. The two year programme aims to future proof supply chain companies by providing consultancy support to identify key needs including...
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SKILLS GAP REMAINS AN ISSUE FOR NORTH EAST BUSINESSES
North East businesses are struggling to recruit skilled staff, according to latest figures. Four in ten regional firms are reporting difficulty finding the right skilled staff, and a quarter (26 per cent) have seen increased staff turnover since June 2016, according...
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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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OKTOBERFEST EXHIBITOR BOXES CLEVER TO FILL GAP IN MARKET
Packaging firm JSB is boxing clever when it comes to filling a gap in the business market. The County Durham firm spotted a need for bespoke-sized cardboard cartons and changed direction to meet that need. Now manufacturing firms can’t contain their enthusiasm for the...
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ECLIPSE TRANSLATIONS REBRANDS AS RWS LANGUAGE SOLUTIONS
Alnwick-based supplier of language services, Eclipse Translations, has announced it has rebranded as RWS Language Solutions. Already part of world-leading translation company, RWS, it plans to help North East clients benefit further from its global expertise. Acquired...
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LLOYDS BANK TO HOST DIGITAL WORKSHOP
Affiliate members of County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) are invited to a half day workshop organised by Lloyds Bank, which is designed to help businesses improve their digital and the digital skills of their employees. The workshop, on Monday,...
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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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GOVERNMENT SPACE CHIEFS HEAD UP NORTH EAST CONFERENCE
Industry leaders from across the UK will be heading to the North East for a conference designed to help businesses capitalise on the growing, multi-million pound space sector. Graham Turnock, CEO of the UK Space Agency, the Government agency responsible for the UK’s...
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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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CDEMN MEMBER HELPING TO MAKE THE WORKPLACE SAFER
Business is full of risk, but a Sunderland-based firm is helping companies develop a safety-first approach by tackling alcohol and substance misuse. Trevor Hall and Gordon Angus are making workplaces safer places. Their firm, Hall & Angus, is at the forefront of...
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PARAGON BECOMES THE FIRST UK PRODUCTION PARTNER FOR CARBON
Paragon Rapid Technologies has teamed up with US-based Additive Manufacturing experts Carbon to introduce their groundbreaking 3D Manufacturing technology into the UK market. The addition of Carbon’s proprietary Digital Light Synthesis™ (DLS) technology complements...
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£50M EMERGENCY FUND TO SUPPORT CARILLION’S SUPPLY CHAIN
Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) has announced a £50 million package of support to its small business customers, as part of a range of emergency measures for those businesses within Carillion’s supply chain which are now in financial difficulty, as a result of Carillion’s...
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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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HELP AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY CARILLION COLLAPSE
Businesses in County Durham who have been affected by the collapse of construction giant Carillion are being offered help. Business Durham is working with the County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) to determine the affect it will have on the...
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MAVEN CLINICS TO HELP BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS TO GROW A BUSINESS
Budding entrepreneurs from County Durham are being offered free help to turn their idea into a viable business. Maven Capital Partners, the Fund Manager for the Finance Durham Fund, are offering 1-2-1 sessions with a member of the North East investment team for people...
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DIGITAL TRAINING TO HELP BUSINESSES CRACK OVERSEAS MARKETS
A series of free training courses have been designed to enable businesses to crack overseas markets digitally. The pilot project is part-funded by the European Commission’s European Regional Development Fund and the UK’s Department for International Trade. Courses are...
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6,000 JOBS FOR COUNTY DURHAM IF NEW BUSINESS DISTRICT IS APPROVED
Plans to attract more than 6,000 private sector jobs delivering a £400 million boost for County Durham’s economy could take a very significant step forward next week (17 January). Hailed as a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to help transform the county’s economic...
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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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INDUSTRY 4.0 SUBJECT OF TAIT WALKER ANNUAL EVENT
An accountancy firm’s annual round table brought together manufacturing and technology leaders to debate matters affecting the industry, with the spotlight on how businesses can prosper from Industry 4.0. Tait Walker’s event, chaired by managing partner Andrew Moorby,...
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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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GREAT YEAR FOR DYER AS GROWTH CONTINUES
Dyer Engineering has been changing over the last four years under the astute leadership of Graeme Parkins who spoke to Insider about recent milestones. Revenues, production, staff numbers and profits have all increased since Graeme took over the business from previous...
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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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STILLER EMBARKING ON £2M EXPANSION
A family transport firm is embarking upon a £2m expansion bosses say could create up to 25 jobs. Stiller Warehousing and Distribution is building a new delivery centre. The company, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, says the 50,000sq ft base will help it cope...
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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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CDEMN MEMBER SAGETECH TARGETS EXPORT MARKET
A County Durham machinery firm hopes a factory switch can be the catalyst for export growth across South Africa and the US. Sagetech Machinery has moved to a larger unit on Chilton Industrial Estate, near Ferryhill, in a bid to extend its market presence. The business...
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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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