Partner Article

Seats for Durham Oktoberfest fill up

~~DOZENS of manufacturing and engineering companies have booked their stands at this year’s Durham Oktoberfest.

The event, which is now in its eighth year, attracts some of the North East’s biggest employers, who are keen to meet potential suppliers and customers.

This year the companies involved include Cummins, Parker Hannifin, Nifco, Seaward, the Ministry of Defence and Gardner Denver.

Also exhibiting, having been involved every year since the inaugural event in 2008, is global manufacturer Izumi Products UK, which from its base in Bishop Auckland manufactures, supplies and repairs hydraulic compression, cutting, and punching tools, hydraulic pumps and line stringing equipment and accessories for the Transmission and Distribution, Telecoms and General Industrial Markets.

Their Managing Director is Jenny Williams, one of only a handful of female company leaders in the region.

She said: “Durham Oktoberfest is a key event for us. “We’ve exhibited every year because we come away with real leads, which have resulted in new work for us. We hope this year will be the same.” Stands in the main hall are quickly filling up, while the service village is now fully booked.

David Land, Chairman of County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network, which organises Durham Oktoberfest, said: “We said we wanted this year’s event to be the best yet and it’s certainly shaping up that way. We’ve had so much interest from companies across the region who want to exhibit so we would urge any engineering and manufacturing companies to book now to avoid disappointment.”

This year’s event, which takes place on October 22 at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe, is being supported by Business Durham and Gardner Denver, who are gold sponsors, while Altec Engineering, Stadium Packaging Services and The Forge at Teesside University are silver sponsors.

Simon Goon is Managing Director of Business Durham. He said: “Oktoberfest is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the diverse range and depth of talent, the outstanding competitiveness and the innovation of engineering and manufacturing businesses in our region.

“Business Durham is a major supporter of the event, working closely with businesses and organisers to ensure its success year after year.”

To be part of Durham Oktoberfest 2015 visit www.durhamoktberfest.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Felicity Collinson .