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 change is to reflect the organisation’s position within the North East, and it’s ever increasing network of North East members.

Ben Gilhespy is operations director of EMN. He said: “Since we launched over two years ago our membership has grown rapidly and we’re firmly established as a regional organisation.

“We’re certainly not changing our focus and are still very much here to help businesses within County Durham, however our membership covers the entire regional landscape and our previous name didn’t reflect that. The Engineering and Manufacturing Network is a better fit for us and we feel now is the right time to adapt.

“We now have over 300 members from a diverse range of sectors and looking ahead to 2019, our number one priority is to support each of them with their continued growth.

“It’s an exciting time for the North East. There’s no doubt as a region we’re becoming more and more innovative, backed up by the fact so many businesses in the North East are making products that are being used all over the world. Hopefully 2019 we’ll see that positive trend continue with The Engineering and Manufacturing Network at the heart of it.”