LATEST NEWS
SPOTLIGHT ON: J DENHAM METALS
In our latest Spotlight On feature, Leanne Fawcett chats to Chris Trotter from fourth-generation family recycling firm J Denham Metals, which has two facilities in County Durham, one in Bishop Auckland and one in Wingate. Chris tells Leanne more about the business and...
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...
TRIBUTES PAID TO BUSINESSMAN GEOFF FORD
Tributes have been paid to businessman Geoff Ford, who has sadly died. Ben Gilhespy, Operations Director at the Engineering and Manufacturing Network, said: "This is a tragic loss for the industry and region. "Geoff was a truly inspirational leader whose drive and...
SPOTLIGHT ON: TA WHITFIELD POLYMERS
In our latest Spotlight On feature, Leanne Fawcett chats to Dr Tony Whitfield, founder of Consett-based T A Whitfield Polymers Ltd, to learn more about the company, Tony’s plans to grow nationally and some of the hot topics facing the plastics industry. Tell us more...
FUNDING BOOST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN COUNTY DURHAM
Entrepreneurs who are part of an incubator designed to help companies grow and thrive in County Durham will now be able to access up to £10,000 of funding each. Durham City Incubator (DCI), based at Salvus House, in Aykley Heads, Durham, has recently launched, and is...
DURHAM FOOD AND DRINK NETWORK TO LAUNCH
A network to support County Durham food and drink producers is being launched. Durham Food and Drink Network is the fifth key strand of the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), which is part of Business Durham. The network will enable small producers and...
SPOTLIGHT ON: CDEMN MEMBER DEMETER
In our latest Spotlight On feature, Leanne Fawcett chats to Liz Smedley from Demeter, the water management and monitoring company, based in Sedgefield. Here, business development director Liz talks about the history of the business, which was launched in 2008, their...
MEMBER NEWS: STEELCRAFT PLANS FOR EUROPEAN EXPANSION
A County Durham-based metalwork firm has set out ambitious plans to expand with a new online brand. Family-run company, Steelcraft Ltd, specialises in supplying architectural metalwork with a portfolio including balconies, railings, gates, handrails, stairs, ramps and...
AFFILIATE MEMBER NEWS: APPRENTICE SOLICITORS JOIN THE MUCKLE TEAM
Two new solicitor apprentices have taken their first seats in separate teams at leading North East independent law firm for businesses, Muckle LLP. Lauryn Hellewell has joined Muckle LLP though the North East Solicitor Apprenticeship (NESA) scheme, an alternative,...
SPOTLIGHT ON: CDEMN MEMBER NECS CLEANING
In our latest Spotlight On feature, Leanne Fawcett chats to Gary Breach, managing director of NECS Cleaning, the Cramlington-based commercial cleaning company which was established by Gary in 2006. Here he tells us more about the company’s growth and its plans for the...
SPOTLIGHT ON: MORALBOX
In our latest Spotlight On feature, Leanne Fawcett chats to John Dunnill from specialist training software company Moralbox, which was launched by John and business partner Gordon MacPherson two years ago. The company offers employers within sectors including...
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...
MEMBER NEWS: MANAGEMENT BUY OUT OF MANUFACTURING FIRM
Barnard Castle based Steel Fabricator S&A has announced the sale of the building fabrication side of the business in a management buyout, as a result of major changes at the company over the past two years. With the support of North East advisors, the Barnard...
MEMBER NEWS: APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED AT REPROTEC
North East based Reprotec UK, specialists in resin flooring systems and bespoke surface protection technology, has announced two appointments. Mr Elliott Lindsay, who joined the company at the age of 16 years, has been appointed to the senior position of Head of...
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...
MEMBER NEWS: HORIZON WORKS AWARDED GRANT TO SUPPORT EXPORT
A North-East based B2B marketing agency has been awarded funding to support its exporting activities in North America after winning a grant from Heathrow’s World of Opportunity SME Grants Programme. Horizon Works is one of only 20 companies throughout the whole of the...
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...
MEMBER NEWS: COLLEGE PRINCIPALS TO MARCH ON PARLIAMENT
Principals, staff and students from further education colleges across the North East will next week march on Parliament to demand increased funding after a decade of decline. The unprecedented joint action will see college CEOs protest alongside colleagues, learners...
MEMBER NEWS: ESL RECEIVES MAJOR NATIONAL ENERGY AWARD
Electek Solutions (ESL) have claimed an impressive bronze in this years National Efficiency Awards in September, no mean feat when you’re up against international energy players such as E.on Energy. ESL were awarded the accolade for the Multi-measure Project of the...
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...
MEMBER NEWS: REPROTEC CELEBRATES 30TH BIRTHDAY
Congratulations to North East based company, Reprotec, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. John Holmes, MD of Reprotec, said: “We at Reprotec are delighted to be celebrating our 30th birthday. We are an SME working across all industry sectors, and the success...
MEMBER NEWS: STILLER PLANS FOR GROWTH WITH OPENING OF DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
Newton Aycliffe family-run firm Stiller Warehousing and Distribution has created capacity for jobs growth with the opening of its new £2m distribution centre. After an eight-month construction project, which supported dozens of local jobs by utilising nearby...
SPOTLIGHT ON: EMCON HEADLINE SPONSOR STADLER RAIL UK
As well as the chance to meet potential clients and suppliers, and showcase your business to companies of all sizes from the engineering and manuacturing sectors, there’s also an added incentive for exhibitors and attendees at this year’s EMCON event. That’s because...
SPOTLIGHT ON: PHILIP CUNLIFFE, REGIONAL BUSINESS EDITOR AT INSIDER MEDIA
In our latest Spotlight On feature, Leanne Fawcett chats with Philip Cunliffe, regional business editor of Insider Media, the company behind the hugely popular Made in the North East Awards and Made in the UK awards. The Made in the North East Awards 2018 are being...
SPOTLIGHT ON: ADVANCED HANDLING AND STORAGE
In our latest ‘Spotlight On’ sponsor profile, EMCON communications manager Leanne Fawcett chats to bronze sponsor Advanced Handling and Storage, http://advanced-handling.co.uk, the Shildon-based warehousing and material handling specialist, about their history and...
MOTORCYCLIST LAUNCHES WELDING BUSINESS AFTER NEAR FATAL CRASH
An engineer who suffered near fatal injuries when his bike collided with a car in County Durham has launched his own business as he continues his road to recovery. Dick Allaker from High Pittington was in an induced coma for three weeks following the accident at...
SPOTLIGHT ON: ASHGARTH ENGINEERING
In our latest Spotlight On feature, we chat to CDEMN member Ashgarth Engineering, the Consett-based manufacturer of precision-machined engineering parts. The company has grown significantly since launching in July 2017 and to support its ambitious plans for continued...
SPOTLIGHT ON: NICE NETWORK
In our latest Spotlight On feature, Leanne Fawcett chats with Nikki Lee, Head of Marketing at CDEMN affiliate member Nice Network, the Sunderland-based IT and technology solutions provider. The company recently underwent a major rebrand and as Nikki explains, also has...
SPOTLIGHT ON: EMCON GOLD SPONSOR RM MANUFACTURING
We are delighted to announce that Newcastle-based RM Manufacturing, part of Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions Limited, is our second GOLD sponsor alongside Business Durham. Here we put the company under the spotlight to learn more about its products and...
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...
£500M NEXUS STOCK REPLACEMENT WORK EVENT COMING SOON
CDEMN members are invited to attend an event in October highlighting the opportunities for North East businesses to be part of the £500m Nexus rolling stock replacement work. The North East LEP has organised the supply chain opportunities expo at the Stadium of Light...
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...
EU EXPERTS PRAISE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT
A project designed to help County Durham businesses to make financial savings through energy efficiency has been praised by European experts. Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) received recognition from the Interreg Europe programme for the excellent support it...
MEMBER NEWS: OFFICE MOVE FOR BE SMART SOLUTIONS
Member company Be Smart Solutions has moved to new offices at Novus Business Centre in Peterlee. The move is part of plans by the company to raise its profile to companies in the Peterlee Business Park area. Owner Jim Box said: “There are so many businesses based in...
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...
SPOTLIGHT ON… JACKSON HOGG RECRUITMENT
In our latest Spotlight On feature, we chat to Chris Beevers from member and EMCON delivery partner Jackson Hogg Recruitment about their involvement in the event and some of the trends within the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Why is Jackson Hogg supporting...
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...
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...
SPOTLIGHT ON… REPROTEC
In our latest ‘Spotlight On’ feature, Leanne English chats to John Holmes, owner of surface repair and protection specialist Reprotec, about the company’s 30 years in business and its journey to position itself as a national award-winning company, passionate about...
FUTURE BUSINESS MAGNATES WINNERS ANNOUNCED
A street lighting system which is triggered by passing cars and pedestrians, and a rewards app for people who scan their rubbish before throwing it away, were just two of the top entrepreneurial ideas students taking part in a popular county-wide competition came up...
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’...
CDEMN MEMBER PARAGON TAKES PRINT CAPABILITIES TO ANOTHER LEVEL
Darlington-based 3D print specialists Paragon Rapid Technologies has become the only service provider in the world to have three industry-leading NEO800 3D printers from UK manufacturer, RP Support. Using the Stereolithography (SLA) process, all three machines are...
EDM ZONE WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD
Engineering company EDM Zone has won a prestigious national award. The company, a member of CDEMN, was named winner of the Insider Media Made in the UK 'Manufacturing Apprenticeship/Training Scheme' award. The win came after Newcastle-based EDM Zone won the regional...
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...
CDEMN MEMBER HYDRAM ENGINEERING ACQUIRED
Dynamic Aerospace and Defence Ltd. confirmed their acquisition of Hydram Engineering Ltd. on June 7th 2018, acquiring the total shareholding in the business. Dynamic (www.dynamicindustrial.com) is a privately-owned business with its main headquarters in Michigan, USA....
SPOTLIGHT ON… DJM AERIAL SOLUTIONS
In the latest of a new series of member features, we shine the ‘Spotlight On’ Dan Maine, owner of Middlesbrough-based drone inspection and survey company DJM Aerial Solutions, who is aiming to break into new markets with the help of the County Durham Engineering and...
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...
MEMBER OFFER – FREE CYBER SECURITY TRAINING WITH MILLBANK SOLUTIONS
Our newest affiliate Millbank Solutions (https://millbanksolutions.co.uk/) have highlighted an excellent opportunity for those of you who employ less than 100 persons. We all know the damaging effects that cyber-attacks can have on a business and how widely publicised...
APPRENTICESHIP AWARD FOR SOUTH WEST DURHAM TRAINING
Engineering training provider South West Durham Training is celebrating after winning an award for its apprenticeship scheme. SWDT was nominated by businesses on Aycliffe Business Park for the Apprenticeship and Training Award, sponsored by Gestamp, for implementing...
REGIONAL COMPANIES CONFIDENT ABOUT OWN BUSINESS OUTLOOK
North East businesses’ confidence in their own business prospects rose two points to 32 per cent in May, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. But their optimism in the economy overall fell 14 points to 24 per cent. As a...