Member Article

Engineering company boosted by Oktoberfest attendance

AN ENGINEERING company that secured new business after attending Durham Oktoberfest has confirmed it will be exhibiting again this year.

EDM Zone, based in Newcastle, was among the 200 firms which took stands at last year’s event, and after experiencing an upsurge in work as a result, it has once again booked space to exhibit.

The company attended Oktoberfest, at the Xcel Centre in Newton Ayclife, for the first time in 2015 and was able to meet current and potential clients and showcase the vast range of services within its business portfolio.

Roger Wilson, business development and marketing manager at EDM Zone, said: “We didn’t know what to expect from Oktoberfest but were so impressed that many of our existing clients were there, which gave us the opportunity to tell them more about the many services we offer, as they don’t realise our expertise is as vast as it is.

“It also got us in front of potential clients from the widespread sector, that otherwise we might not have had the chance to meet.

“We’ve definitely expanded our client portfolio as a result of attending Durham Oktoberfest and had no hesitation in signing up for this year’s event.”

Durham Oktoberfest 2016 takes place on Thursday, October 20, and already dozens of businesses have booked their slots.

Business Durham is once again this year’s gold sponsor, while the silver sponsors are Altec Engineering, Samuel Grant Packaging, Hitachi Tool, and Stadium Export Services.

David Land, chairman of County Durham Engineering Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) which organises Durham Oktoberfest, said: “The event, as well as being a celebration of the region’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities, gives companies the chance to get themselves in front of potential customers and come away with real business leads.

“EDM Zone is another example of a company that, as a direct result of exhibiting at Oktoberfest, has expanded its business portfolio and we’re delighted that they’re returning this year.”

EDM Zone provides engineering services and machine capabilities including EDM Wire and Spark Erosion Services, CNC Milling, CNC Turning and Specialist Research and Development Consultancy to a number of sectors including oil and gas, automotive, aerospace and renewables.

It was founded by former engineering apprentice Paul Wilson in 2008 and has now grown to employ 15 people with a turnover of £1m.

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