With less than three months to go until this year’s EMCON engineering and manufacturing expo, dozens of businesses have already booked to exhibit.
Following the success of last year’s event, which was the last under the previous Durham Oktoberfest moniker before organisers embarked on a major identity rebrand, companies large and small have snapped up stands, enabling them to market themselves to potential new customers.
This year, EMCON has been boosted by the announcement that international rail giant Stadler is coming on board as the inaugural ‘Headline Sponsor’, after they exhibited for the first time in 2017, while Jackson Hogg Recruitment is the new delivery partner.
That, alongside long-term supporter Business Durham who maintain their gold level sponsorship, puts the event in a strong position to grow and attract an even bigger audience of regional and national firms.
David Land is Chairman of CDEMN, which organises EMCON. He said: “Securing Stadler as our headline sponsor, and Jackson Hogg as our delivery partner, is a real coup and demonstrates just how much the event has grown since launching in 2008.”
The Incubator Zone, which launched at last year’s event, is proving equally as popular with several new or growing SMEs signing up to showcase their products and services to an audience of close to 1,000 people.
The companies include Bishop Auckland-based family-owned precision engineering firm Body Engineering; award-winning business coach Gil Devlin from Consett, who works with businesses to help them get the most from their workforce and maximise growth; and training and business support company NCG Solutions from Crook, which specifically works with companies from the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Also signed up are Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturer Accurate Labelling Systems and Durham-based business solution company System 88.
Many other companies from around the county have also made enquiries with a view to booking their place within the coming weeks.
Ben Gilhespy, Operations Director at CDEMN, said: “The Incubator Zone was a huge draw last year and already the level of interest we’ve seen is huge. Word has certainly spread among the engineering and manufacturing communities that this is the ideal opportunity for firms to meet potential new suppliers and ultimately, win work.”
EMCON takes place on Thursday, October 18, at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe. For more information visit emcon.show.