LATEST NEWS
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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DURHAM OKTOBERFEST 2017 OPENS ITS DOORS
Durham Oktoberfest 2017 has opened its doors to hundreds of people ready to network and do business. The event – the tenth since the show launched – was opened by County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Chairman David Land and Phil Wilson MP. Around 1,000 people...
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INCUBATOR ZONE FULLY BOOKED AS OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
Twenty-one companies from across County Durham have booked their place at the inaugural Durham Oktoberfest Incubator Zone. The companies, who are either core engineers and manufacturers or directly supply products or services to the industry, will join 100 other...
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MESSAGE FROM BEN GILHESPY: OKTOBERFST 2017 SOLD OUT
With just two days to go until this year’s Durham Oktoberfest, it’s pleasing to say that all the exhibitor stands have been sold. However such is the popularity of our expo that in the last few days we have continued to receive enquiries from companies hoping to...
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RAIL SEMINAR TO PROMOTE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES AT OKTOBERFEST
OPPORTUNITIES for regional firms to capitalise on the growth of the rail sector are to be outlined at this year’s Durham Oktoberfest. Since the arrival of Hitachi to Newton Aycliffe, the sector has undergone major growth with many companies from the rail industry’s...
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BUSINESS LEADERS TO DEBATE BRITAIN’S EXIT FROM EU
Regional business experts and politicians will debate the challenges and opportunities facing industry as Britain prepares for its exit from the EU. As part of this year’s Durham Oktoberfest event, there will be a panel debate and question and answer session where...
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MIGHTY OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW
In his latest blog, our Operations Director Ben Gilhespy looks at why the addition of the Incubator Zone could be the missing link for Durham Oktoberfest. Big companies haven’t always been big, just like small businesses won’t always be small. So how does a company...
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AMAP FORUM TO FOCUS ON PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
The University of Sunderland’s Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) is again holding one of its North East Maintenance Forum sessions after the success of last year’s seminar. The forum was the most popular of all of the themed workshops...
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COUNTY FIRMS BOOK THEIR INCUBATOR ZONE SPOT
County Durham new starts, micro firms and growing SMEs are targeting new business leads after booking their place at this year’s Oktoberfest. As part of plans to encourage smaller companies to be part of the event, there will be a dedicated Incubator Zone for those...
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SEARCH IS ON TO FIND AREA’S MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANY
The search for the most innovative companies in the region is now under way as part of the North East Business Awards. In the 2018 awards, the Innovation Award will be given at heats in Northumberland and Tyneside; Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside; and Teesside,...
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COUNTY DURHAM FIRMS OFFERED CHANCE TO EXPLORE IRISH MARKET
County Durham businesses are being offered the chance to explore the Irish market as part of a free trade mission to Dublin. If you are new to exporting or occasionally trade internationally Dublin is an excellent place to familiarise yourself with the Irish market...
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COUNTY’S ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING SECTORS THRIVING
Engineering and manufacturing companies across County Durham are expanding and planning for long term investment and job creation. The sectors, which employ thousands of people and contribute millions of pounds to the area’s economy, have undergone major growth in the...
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CDEMN MEMBERS MAKE ‘MADE IN THE NORTH EAST AWARDS’ SHORTLIST
The shortlists for Insider's prestigious Made in the North East Awards have been released, with the cream of the region's manufacturing industry battling it out across ten categories. And several of our members are in the running, including EDM Zone, Marmax Products...
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COUNTY MICRO FIRMS SOUGHT FOR INCUBATOR ZONE
County Durham new starts, micro firms and growing SMEs are being given a unique chance to be part of this year’s Oktoberfest. As part of plans to encourage smaller companies to be part of the event, there will be a dedicated Incubator Zone for those companies who have...
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OKTOBERFEST INCUBATOR ZONE TO SUPPORT MICRO FIRMS AND SMES
MICRO and growing firms that make parts or provide a service to the engineering and manufacturing sectors are being given a unique chance to be part of this year’s Oktoberfest. For the first time ever, there will be a dedicated Incubator Zone for companies who employ...
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BUSINESSES WARNED OF DANGERS OF CYBER CRIME
Businesses are being given the chance to learn more about the dangers of crime at an event being organised by Durham Constabulary. The open evening is aimed at businesses across the area to shed light on the growing risks posed by cyber criminals. Attendees will be...
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REGION’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR GROWING FASTER THAN ANYWHERE IN UK
The North East’s manufacturing sector is enjoying a resurgence with new firms launching at a faster rate than anywhere in the UK. A new report issued by manufacturers’ organisation and BDO LLP, the accountancy and business advisory firm, details the considerable...
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MADE IN THE NORTH EAST AWARDS DEADLINE EXTENDED
Due to an influx of requests, Insider has extended the deadline for entries to its prestigious Made in the North East awards. The final date for submissions - which can be made here - is now 28 July 2017. Now in their sixth year, the awards recognise and reward...
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RAIL ALLIANCE TO HOST SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP AT OKTOBERFEST
Opportunities for regional firms to capitalise on the growth of the rail sector are to be outlined at this year’s Durham Oktoberfest. Since the arrival of Hitachi to Newton Aycliffe, the sector has undergone major growth with many companies from the rail industry’s...
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CDEMN SUPPORTS FUTURE BUSINESS MAGNATES COMPETITION
Talented students from an enterprising school have won a top award with their invention of a board game for Durham. Students from Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College were crowned champions of the Future Business Magnates (FBM) competition – run by Business...
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BUSINESSES TAP INTO REGION’S THRIVING RAIL SECTOR
More than 100 businesses from across the North East heard how they could tap into the billion pound rail sector at a sell-out conference. Business Durham, together with the Rail Alliance and the County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network, held the event at...
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OUTGOING BUSINESS DURHAM BOSS REFLECTS ON GROWTH OF COUNTY
An outgoing business development boss says the region will continue being an attractive place for investment and growth long after his departure. Dr Simon Goon is stepping down as managing director of Business Durham later this summer to take a “once-in-ablue- moon...
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SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG PEOPLE VITAL TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Developing the skills of young people is vital to ensure long term economic growth and prosperity in the North East. That was the clear message that emerged from last night’s (Monday’s) County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) dinner at the South...
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CDEMN EXHIBITS AT FUNDING AND BUSINESS SUPPORT EVENT
Over 50 businesses from around the region have been given an insight into the support available to help them grow. Peterlee Business Park Group working alongside Business Durham and LEC Communications and Design organised the ‘funding and business support’ event...
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SKILLS DINNER TO HIGHLIGHT CHALLENGES IN THE COUNTY
Building on the huge success of our previous events, CDEMN is pleased to announce a black-tie dinner to be held at the South Durham University Technical College in Newton Aycliffe on June 26. The event is based around the critical subject of skills with a focus on the...
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BUDDING ENGINEERS TO SHOWCASE SKILLS AT OKTOBERFEST
Budding engineers will be showcasing their capabilities to employers from across the region at Durham Oktoberfest, which this year celebrates its tenth birthday. An Education Zone is once again being created to enable students from colleges and universities around the...
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COMPANIES PURSUING PATHS TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR GROWTH
Dozens of businesses from County Durham’s engineering and manufacturing sectors are looking into funding programmes which could help them grow. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) identified the need to develop an event aimed at the sector...
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THOUSANDS OF JOBS ON WAY FOR REGION OVER NEXT THREE YEARS
More than 6,000 new jobs will be created over the next three years by firms investing in the North East, new figures reveal today. The statistics unveiled by Invest North East England on behalf of the region’s seven local authorities and the North East Local...
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FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES SHOWCASED AT CDEMN EVENT
Engineering and manufacturing companies are being given the chance to learn more about the financial support available to help their business grow. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) is hosting an event at New College Durham on Wednesday, May...
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AUTOMOTIVE AND PUBLIC SECTORS PROMISE MASSIVE GROWTH FOR SMES
Small businesses in the area have a massive opportunity to win work from the automotive and public sectors. That was the message that came from the Peterlee Business Park supply chain opportunities themed event, which attracted 50 people from companies and...
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CDEMN MEMBERS URGED TO ATTEND SUPPLY CHAIN EVENT
Businesses who are keen to expand their supply chain are encouraged to attend an event at East Durham College tomorrow (Tuesday). Peterlee Business Park and Seaham Business Park groups are hosting their monthly networking event at East Durham College which will...
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EDBS BUSINESS GROWTH COURSES OPEN TO CDEMN MEMBERS
Business owners are being given the chance to gain qualifications which could help their company grow. East Durham Business Service (EDBS) has secured funding for a three-day residential course, Boost your Business, which will be held at locations across the North...
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TWINS AT THE HELM OF ENGINEERING COMPANY HIATCO
For some siblings, the idea of spending any length of time together can be too much. For twins James and Stuart Parkin, however, the situation couldn’t be more different. The brothers are directors at engineering company Hiatco, based in Annfield Plain, near Stanley,...
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BUSINESS DURHAM CONFIRMED AS OKTOBERFEST GOLD SPONSOR
Business Durham is once again GOLD sponsor of Durham Oktoberfest. The organisation has been a main supporter of our event since it launched in 2008, when Sir John Hall was the inaugural keynote speaker. Simon Goon, Managing Director at Business Durham, said:...
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BUSINESSES WARNED ABOUT SUBSTANCE MISUSE LEGISLATION
Businesses who don’t have a substance misuse policy could fall foul of insurance policies. That’s the message that came from an event organised by County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) in partnership with Hall and Angus. The event was attended by...
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DURHAM OKTOBERFEST TEAMS UP WITH NIGEL WRIGHT RECRUITMENT
Durham Oktoberfest, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary, is pleased to announce Nigel Wright Recruitment as an associate partner. The agreement will see the global recruitment specialist support the Durham Oktoberfest event team to secure new exhibitors...
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MANUFACTURERS WARNED NOT TO ‘REST ON THEIR LAURELS’
Manufacturers must not “rest on their laurels” after continued cost pressures and weaker growth forced the industry into a fresh low, a report has warned. Latest figures show the sector stumbled in March as slower consumer goods production compounded higher overheads...
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OKTOBERFEST LANDS TRANSPORT COMPANY SIX FIGURE CONTRACT
A manufacturing company which makes plastic products from recycled milk cartons has awarded a six-figure transport contract on the back of a Durham Oktoberfest meeting. Marmax Products based in Stanley attended the manufacturing and engineering showcase expo for the...
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SPRING BUDGET: CDEMN WANTS FUNDING SUPPORT TRANSPARENCY FOR FIRMS
Chancellor Philip Hammond delivers his Spring Budget on Wednesday and businesses across the North East are hoping it will bring with it a financial boost. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) is working with employers in the area to support them...
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BUSINESSES URGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF APPRENTICESHIP LEVY
Some of the region’s biggest employers have been urged to take advantage of the apprenticeship levy, which comes into force this year. From April the way government funds apprenticeships will change and some employers will be required to contribute to the...
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SUCCESSION PLANNING KEY TO BUSINESS GROWTH
BUSINESSES must consider succession planning as part of their long term targets for growth. That’s according to CDEMN Director of Operations Ben Gilhepsy, who spoke at Peterlee Business Park’s February networking meeting which was focused on how employers can better...
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CDEMN AT HRH THE DUKE OF YORK VISIT TO SUNDERLAND
HRH The Duke of York was in the region yesterday (Wednesday) to officially launch higher and degree apprenticeships at the University of Sunderland. Ben Gilhespy, Director of Operations at County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN), was among the...
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ENGINEERING FIRM BOOSTED BY OKTOBERFEST ATTENDANCE
A County Durham engineering firm secured a string of strong business leads as a result of its attendance at this year’s Durham Oktoberfest. Altec Engineering Group took along a team of staff from the six arms of its business to man its prominent stand at the...
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IMPRESSED AND PLEDGING TO RETURN IN 2017
AN engineering firm is forging ahead with plans to convert a clutch of valuable business leads it gained at this year’s Durham Oktoberfest. Impress Group, based at Blaydon, exhibited for the first time at the annual event, which has grown to become the region’s most...
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HUNDREDS FLOCK TO OKTOBERFEST AS PLANS FOR 2017 ANNOUNCED
ORGANISERS behind the region’s biggest engineering and manufacturing expo are already making plans for next year – the event’s tenth birthday. Yesterday (Thursday) saw hundreds of people from across the region descend on the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe for Durham...
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