Dozens of businesses have already booked their spot at Durham Oktoberfest, which this year celebrates its tenth birthday. The manufacturing and engineering expo brings together hundreds of people from the region’s business community to network and showcase their expertise to potential customers and suppliers. This year, Oktoberfest’s 10year milestone, promises to be bigger and better than ever and companies from a number of sectors have already confirmed they’ll be attending. They include previous exhibitors E-MAX Systems, Dyer Engineering and Stiller Logistics who have all secured work and awarded contracts on the back of their involvement.

David Land, Chairman of County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network, which organises Durham Oktoberfest, said: “Durham Oktoberfest is the perfect platform to showcase the North East’s vast capabilities within the engineering and manufacturing sectors. “But more than that, it offers businesses the chance to meet potential buyers, suppliers and customers which we know can and does lead to work. “Just recently we revealed that logistics company Stiller had secured a sixfigure contract with Marmax Products as a direct result of attending last year’s event. And they’re one of many businesses who have seen their portfolio grow from being part of our event.” This year’s event is once again being supported by Business Durham as gold sponsor, while Nigel Wright Recruitment has also come on board as an associate partner.

Justin Barlow, Marketing Director at Nigel Wright, said: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Durham Oktoberfest as an associate partner. “The event is one of the biggest in the engineering and manufacturing calendar and we believe with our database of contacts across multiple sectors, we can help open the event up to a whole new audience of potential exhibitors and visitors.” Durham Oktoberfest 2017 is being held on Thursday, October 19, at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe. To find out more visit the website, durhamoktoberfest.org.uk. Durham Oktoberfest is also pleased to announce that on the evening of the event the regional Made in the North East awards hosted by Insider Media will be held at Redworth Hall Hotel. Businesses attending Oktoberfest are actively encouraged to get involved and promote their success by registering for one of the awards on offer. For more information visit https://www.insidermedia.com/event/made-in-the-northeast-awards-20.