The Engineering & Manufacturing Network

Lets talk people: Navigating COVID-19 and staff wellbeing.
2020-10-01 10:00 - 11:15 UTC | Co Durham
It is undeniable that COVID-19 has had an impact on EMN members and their workforce. This can leave businesses feeling isolated and questioning how ther organisations are dealing with the situation.
To help with this EMN have asked one of the regions most prominent manufacturers, Akzo Nobel to talk us through how they have dealt with the situation and what measures they have implemented for their staff and their wellbeing.
We also have to consider the financial wellbeing of our people and with this in mind Brewin Dolphin will present to us the financial impact and stress the current climate has had on employees and how to educate and protect your workforce with financial planning.

Personal Financial Planning webinar with MHA Tait Walker Wealth Management
2020-09-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Online webinar, EMN Tanfield, Stanley, Co Durham, DH8 8LF, United Kingdom
In the Financial Planning webinar, you will hear from our Wealth Management team as they talk you through some tips to help you manage your finances during COVID19 and the impact that this pandemic is having on wider areas of financial planning.
✅ Welcome and close – Mark Parkinson, Wealth Management Partner
✅ Reviewing your finances during COVID-19 – Geoff Cavanagh APFS, Chartered Financial Planner
✅ The impact of COVID-19 on your retirement plans – Leonard Birnie, Chartered Financial Planner
✅ Live Q&A session

MEMBER EVENT: Business Regeneration Planning workshop, online toolkit and support session
2020-09-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Online webinar, EMN Tanfield, Stanley, Co Durham, DH8 8LF, United Kingdom
The Engineering & Manufacturing Network, Business Doctors and Northstar Ventures have teamed up to offer EMN members based in the North East LEP area the chance to take part in a fully funded, online Business Regeneration Planning workshop, online toolkit and support session.
To cut through the plethora of COVID webinars and vast array of information being generated at this time, we have been working closely with Business Doctors to create a fully funded peer to peer business planning workshop focusing on business regeneration in the ‘new normal.’ The cost of the workshop and toolkit would normally be £500, however we are offering two workshops for FREE. As the workshops rely on full engagement and peer group interaction and learning, places on each one is limited to 10 business owners.
The Business Regeneration Planning Workshop and Toolkit will benefit business owners by guiding them through a 6R process:
Return – How to balance the responsibility on employers between getting their business going, and their duty of care to employees and customers.
Renew – Taking a step back to renew personal aspirations, core purpose, set a vision for the future and build a shared purpose with the team.
Review – Take stock of the world around you. What’s changed? What does it mean for your business? How might you need to adapt?
Refresh – Energising your business model and approach. Listen, learn, and reposition around new opportunities.
Revive – Give new energy and strength to the business. Identify the skills you will need, set out a clear proposition and point of difference. Be clear about what will make you different and make you better as you come out of this.
Regenerate – Time to lead and set a clear direction. Re-energising your business around your new strategy and actions plans.
Key features include:

A FREE fully interactive online workshop
A FREE structured business planning workbook to help capture and record key learnings
A FREE sales activity planning tool
A FREE downloadable business Planning Implementation/project management tool
30-day FREE access to the Pulse Forecasting and Financial planning platform
30-day FREE access to the Business Doctors HR platform
30-day FREE access to the Engagement Multiplier staff engagement platform
A FREE private 1-hour follow up review session with a Business Doctor advisor
Opportunity to maximise interaction between delegates for common success

Businesses must be based on or have a material presence in the North East LEP region. Places are limited, so book yours now.

MEMBER EVENT: Making LinkedIn work for your business
2020-08-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Co Durham
This webinar will help you understand how LinkedIn can support your marketing and business development efforts and build your brand.

Many businesses have LinkedIn Company Pages, but they may not be used to their full potential. There can be vast differences in LinkedIn use between members of staff in the same company, with the platform being embraced by some and ignored by others.

However, the Coronavirus pandemic has seen more businesses and individuals take advantage of LinkedIn for its ability to help them make new connections, disseminate their messages, generate new opportunities and promote their expertise and products.
Horizon Works is facilitating this webinar which will help you understand how LinkedIn can support your marketing and business development efforts, raise your profile and build your brand.
The session will cover:

Building an effective and engaging Company Page
How individual staff members can improve their personal interactions on LinkedIn
Content marketing via LinkedIn – practical tips and suggestions
Using LinkedIn as a public relations tool
Practical advice on enhancing LinkedIn posts
Shaping your messaging for LinkedIn

This event is B2B focused and is suited to businesses operating in the manufacturing, engineering, technology, healthcare, life science and technical sectors.

MEMBER EVENT: Changing focus – how to adapt your marketing for business diversification
2020-08-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Co Durham
This webinar will help you to understand how to adapt their marketing strategies and tactics in line with your plans for diversification.

The impact of the Coronavirus crisis has led to many businesses adapting their product and service offerings to the changing economic landscape. Companies may need to target new sectors as demand for their products decreases in their traditional markets. Opportunities may arise and new partnerships could be formed to tackle fresh challenges.

Horizon Works is facilitating this webinar which will help you to understand how to adapt their marketing strategies and tactics in line with their plans for diversification. There will be practical tips on quick wins and guidance on planning for the future.
The session will cover:

Researching new markets
Building a marketing strategy to support diversification
Putting the right marketing tools in place and laying the groundwork for future success
The role of public relations in reaching new audiences and building profile
Adapting your product and service messaging – and how to disseminate this
Marketing tactics to support business development and sales teams

This event is B2B focused and is suited to businesses operating in the manufacturing, engineering, technology, healthcare, life science and technical sectors.

MEMBER EVENT: Short term wins and long-term planning – all things digital
2020-08-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Co Durham
Your digital presence is now more important than ever. Without seeing customers and prospects face to face at meetings, networking events or conferences, your website and digital communications are the windows through which people see your business. They represent your brand, are a key point of interaction and they help to sell your products and services – so it’s vital that they work effectively.
Horizon Works is facilitating this webinar which will help you to understand where they can make quick changes to enhance their digital presence, and how they can bolster their digital marketing channels now to support growth in the future.
It will examine how a well thought through digital strategy can pay long term dividends – and will look at the importance of ensuring your business is seen in its best light online.
The session will cover:

Auditing your website – getting a clear picture on how it’s performing and what needs to change
SEO – helping prospects find your website – and find what they’re looking for
E-communications – from enhancing email correspondence to creating campaigns
How to use social media to generate rapid engagement
Enhancing your website content to drive more traffic now and in the long term

This event is B2B focused and is suited to businesses operating in the manufacturing, engineering, technology, professional, healthcare, life science and technical sectors.

MEMBER EVENT: Enhancing your digital marketing – building a strategy for success
2020-08-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Co Durham
With the Coronavirus pandemic having greatly reduced our ability to meet clients and prospects face to face, and with many conferences, expos and networks being postponed or moving online, it’s now even more important that digital marketing works for businesses.
And by putting a focused digital marketing strategy in place – and implementing this effectively – companies can put themselves in a stronger position for the future, build their profiles and increase their reach.
Horizon Works is facilitating this webinar which will help you to create a blueprint for digital marketing success and provide advice on how to get the best ROI from digital marketing activities.
The session will cover:

How to build and hone a digital marketing strategy
Auditing your website and implementing improvements
The role of SEO – and where to start
Guidance on planning effective social media campaigns
Moving forward with e-marketing – the basics and beyond
Building your brand presence online
Measurement and evaluation of digital marketing activities

This event is B2B focused and is suited to businesses operating in the manufacturing, engineering, technology, professional, healthcare, life science and technical sectors.

POSTPONED MEMBER EVENT: Building financial foundations for your manufacturing business.
2020-07-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Online webinar, EMN Tanfield, Stanley, Co Durham, DH8 8LF, United Kingdom
Building financial foundations.
As Manufacturing & Engineering businesses move out of the survival phase and towards the post-COVID 19 “business as usual” landscape, managing working capital risk of your supply chain, existing customers, and new customers will be critical to the medium-term survival of many businesses. Changes in supply chain and acquiring new customers are expected to form two key building blocks in returning to the new normal and it’s important your business manages some of the key risks associated with this.
Join our webinar with Harlands Accountants where they will guide members through the key stages of implementing the process.

Improve your credit profile
Improve debtor/new customer checks and benefits of debtor insurance
Understand cash burn, rolling forecasts and break-even points (possibly zero-based budgeting too)
How to map out your new working capital cycle

Register the link and we will send the zoom link and password within 24 hours of the event.

AFFILIATE EVENT: COVID-19 Does your business need to restructure, reshape or resize?
2020-06-18 10:00 - 23:15 | Co Durham
EMN have noticed with many of our businesses a need to restructure, reshape or re-size their organisation. With many facing difficult decisions, EMN will co-host an event with Jackson Hogg HR services to highlight important considerations
We could not have anticipated or prepared for the devastating effect of the current crisis on businesses or the people they employ. We appreciate that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has provided a lifeline for many organisations as well as for their people and families, but, with imminent changes to this scheme, many employers are faced with the decision of having to make potential redundancies.
The decision to downsize is not one any employer takes lightly and making an employee’s job redundant is never pleasant whether you are an experienced HR professional, business owner or a line manager.
With proper consideration of available options and following a fair process, you can minimise the effects on individuals as well as ensuring you protect your organisation.
1. Preparation
2. Employee Consultation
3. Redundancy Selection Criteria
4. Fair and transparent process
5. Potential alternatives to Redundancy
6. The Termination Process

The webinar will end with a Q & A session and the option to ask questions on the chat throughout. Please feel free to send questions to kaye.collins@cdemn.org.uk or aoife.owens@jacksonhogg.com
Please click on the Eventbrite link below to register.

MEMBERS EVENT: Tracking within Manufacturing
2020-06-04 16:00 - 17:30 | Co Durham
4th June, join Digital Catapult at its in-depth virtual masterclass on asset tracking within manufacturing. Explore its value for supply chains, and how available assets and their status can be tracked with digital technology. Register your interest here:
https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/events/asset-and-order-tracking-in-manufacturing-exploring-value-to-business-event

Lets Talk Mental Health
2020-05-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Co Durham
EMN will be hosting this event along with member Talk Works who specilaise in improving employee wellbeing via staff training, counselling, and psychological therapy service.
In recent weeks, and often on a daily basis, our way of life has changed dramatically whether it be due to social distancing, re-deployment, remote working or home-schooling.
Without question, these changing circumstances are challenging for us all.
We experience the impact of challenge physically, behaviourally, cognitively and emotionally.
For this reason, it is important that we are equipped with practical strategies that enable us to meet our own needs and those of others during this period of time.
This webinar will provide participants with a “tool-kit” of strategies, signposting to quality accessible resources, and a greater understanding of what responses they may be experiencing in order that they can feel safe enough to deal with the uncertainties surrounding us and so take better care of themselves and others.

EMN Event: Return to work COVID-19
2020-05-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online webinar, EMN Tanfield, Stanley, Co Durham, DH8 8LF, United Kingdom
With the first phase of furloughing over and many businesses now looking to restart their operations, we recognise this will be a difficult transition that dependant on your circumstances that could take quite some time.
At EMN we have created a ‘People Panel’ with the aim of sharing best practice from Tier 1 / OEM through to the smallest of SME. The topics covered are wide-ranging but of course, at the moment we feel that a discussion around the return to work, practicalities around this, concerns of staff, and everything else that this encompasses would be beneficial to our members.
The forum is one of an open discussion and we would very much like to have you as a part next week on Monday 11th at 2pm. This is an opportunity to share your business experiences and learn from your peers. Whilst there will be an agenda there will also be plenty of time for questions and answers by all participants. We thill be looking at sharing the information plus additional support in a COVID-19 help guide.

Expanding Your Horizons – Innovative Marketing
2020-04-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Horizon Works Marketing, 14 Berrymoor Court, Northumberland Business Park,, Cramlington, 14 Berrymoor Court Northumberland Business Park Cramlin NE23 7RZ
EMN will co-host its fourth innovation event with Horizon Works Marketing.
Horizon Works, will provide valuable guidance to engineering and marketing companies on how and why innovative marketing approaches should be embraced – and explain how they can make a real difference to sales and business development.
It will provide practical advice to companies who want to:
· Diversify into new markets
· Get ahead of the competition
· Grow export sales and reach overseas markets
· Increase profile
· Target and engage with specific audiences
· Build brand recognition

The ‘Expanding Your Horizons – Innovative Marketing’ event will include:
· How marketing can make your business stand out from the crowd
· Applying innovative marketing technology to cut through language barriers
· How marketing techniques can be used to simply and effectively convey complex technical information
· How innovative marketing tools can be used to support sales and business development teams
· Case studies on how marketing innovation has been applied by manufacturing and engineering companies
· ROI and the measurement and evaluation of marketing activities
Case studies will used to demonstrate the approaches and how they have worked, these are TBC.
If you would like to take advantage of their Snapshot360 info or speak to the team after the event, please feel free to contact them pre-show.

COVID 19 -Lets talk cash flow.
2020-04-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Online webinar, EMN Tanfield, Stanley, Co Durham, DH8 8LF, United Kingdom
In this time of uncertainty, one of the biggest concerns to our business community is cash flow. EMN with affiliate partner MHA Tait Walker will host a webinar to highlight the importance of cash flow and planning. The webinar will cover key areas to improve cashflow in this current COVID-19 climate.

Importance of cash flow planning for shareholders and funders
Different approaches to 13 weekly cash flows and annual cash flows
Necessity of scenario analysis as part of describing your forecast cash flows
Evidencing future cash flows using data and historic management information
Steps to take to improve your actual cash flows

These will be considered in the light of:
– the current COVID 19 restrictions
– the eventual exit strategy from the restrictions and
– how businesses could best adapt their working capital as the economy returns to ‘a new’ normal.
We look forward to hosting the event and seeing you there.

Newcastle Rail College
2020-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Newcatle Rail Academy, Felling, Gateshead, Co Durham, NE10 0HP
EMN will be co-hosting an event with Newcastle Rail Academy. Members will have the opportunity to tour the site and understand how the academy works with employers to assist with, projects, support, recruitment, apprenticeships, and academia.
The Academy is the first of its kind in the North East and was developed in conjunction with the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) and key rail employers such as Network Rail. The purpose-built facility consists of a number of real working environments to train technicians and engineers in a variety of realistic operational scenarios.
Due to the huge national growth and investment in the rail market, the industry is predicting a significant skills shortage over the next 10 years. In order to meet this challenge and offer young people an exciting career pathway, Newcastle College Rail Academy trains and delivers the rail engineers of the future.
The facility is based in Gateshead, and benefits from easy access via the Heworth and Felling Metro stations, Heworth Bus Interchange and is approximately 15 minutes away from major motorway road links.

Investor Panel Meeting (Invitation only)
2020-02-18 10:00 - 12:00 | EMN Tanfield Office, S8, Tanfield Lea Business Centre, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 9DB

Innovation in the NHS
2020-02-12 08:30 - 22:30 | EMN Tanfield Office, S8, Tanfield Lea Business Centre, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 9DB
Join EMN for a morning with Teresa Fortune Head of Innovation at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. Teresa will be looking to engage with members and identify collaborative working opportunities as well as discussing unmet needs within the NHS. This will be a fantastic opportunity for any of the network wishing to engage and establish relationships within the sector.
Joining us to share his innovation journey is our member Keith Walker, MD of Martel Instruments. Keith will be sharing his own journey and how they reached a decision to diversify into their product Vida, along with innovative thinking from staff and the ethos behind Martel Instruments.

Digital Marketing Events
2020-02-11 09:30 - 16:30 | Co Durham
RTC are hosting a couple of Digital Marketing events on the 11th and 21st of February 2020 as part of the Pathways to Innovation programme. Would you be able to circulate to any of the Spin out SME businesses that Sunderland University are working with, or any businesses that would benefit from this free support.
The events are aimed at companies that have a business plan and the theme is that the digital strategy should be an embedded part of a business planning strategy. Delegates attending the workshop will be provided with the tools to maximise their digital marketing comprising of one full day session with a second follow up session which is a half-day.

Post Budget Breakdown 2020 Seminars
2020-02-11 08:00 - 14:30 | Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Durham
The Chancellor will make his first Budget Announcement under the new Conservative Government on Wednesday 11th March 2020.
Our affiliate MHA Tait Walker will be hosting three seminars the following day in Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Durham to highlight and discuss the main changes.
This will be an important day for individuals and businesses to assess their situation and make plans for the coming year.
Please join us at one of the locations below by registering with Joanna.leach@taitwalker.co.uk

Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park
08:00 Registration & Breakfast
08:30 Presentation Start
10:00 Close
Middlesbrough Football Club
12.30 Registration & Lunch
13:00 Presentation Start
14:30 Close
Emirates Stadium, Durham CCC
12.30 Registration & Lunch
13:00 Presentation Start
14:30 Close

Introduction to innovation with SAM Project
2020-01-23 08:30 - 23:00 | SAM Project, The Industry Centre, 1 Colima Avenue Sunderland, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderalnd, SR5 3XB
Introduction to Innovation with Engineering Manufacturing Network
Introduction to the SAM Project -Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing is a £5.1M project to support the implementation of product and process development, and the introduction of technology to the SME manufacturing sector, in the NE LEP area. The project is part-funded by ERDF (£2.6M) and the University of Sunderland, who are investing £2.5M and managing the delivery of this project.
Innovative Casestudies TBC
SAM facilities tour.

Affiliate board members meeting.
2020-01-21 10:00 - 12:30 | EMN Tanfield Office, S8, Tanfield Lea Business Centre, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 9DB

Venture Fest North East
2019-11-28 | St James Park Newcastle
EMN will be exhibiting at VentureFest North East, a leading annual networking event for local entrepreneurs looking to grow their business that takes place in Newcastle.
As a cross-sector event, VentureFest North East gives regional businesses the chance to network with leading North East companies as well as local start-ups.
Last year, we welcomed over 800 delegates at St James’ Park in Newcastle where we had a day packed with inspirational speakers, practical workshops, funding opportunities, and countless connections.
If you want to join one of the North East’s leading networking events, then get your FREE ticket for Thursday 28th November now.
The programme includes the chance to hear from high profile speakers and take part in in-depth workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions from industry innovation experts. With the opportunity to pitch your product or idea to leading investors and seed funders, you will leave the event with new ideas, contacts, and approaches for your business.
VentureFest North East is part of the Innovation SuperNetwork programme, which works with innovative businesses, investors and experts across the North East of England. It is supported by the North East LEP, Northumbrian Water, ENGIE, Innovate UK, the Knowledge Transfer Network and the North East BIC with part funding from the European Regional Development Fund, as well as support from around 50 partner organisations.

The Future of Mobile Device Management
2019-11-21 | St James Park Newcastle
Experts from some of the world’s largest tech companies are to descend on the North East next month as part of a ‘first of its kind’ conference in Newcastle.
Google, Vodafone, Blackberry and SOTI are just a few of the companies set to speak at the #NiceMDM19 ‘The Future of Mobile Device Management’ event on 21st November.
Held by telecoms specialist and affiliate member Nice Network, the event will feature keynote speeches from some of the biggest names in tech, on everything from the future of business communications, to the importance of mobile device management and how the Internet of Things will transform the workplace of the future.
The day-long event is free to attend, but only 100 spaces are available, on a first come, first served basis, so I’d recommend anyone wanting to join us on the day to register their interest via the Nice Network website as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
To register your interest for the event, visit: https://www.nicenetwork.uk/event-registration/
We look forward to seeing you there.

Fully Funded Places on SAM project process improvement workshops
2019-11-20 08:30 - 2019-12-11 13:00 | SAM Project, The Industry Centre, 1 Colima Avenue Sunderland, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderalnd, SR5 3XB
North East Based Manufacturing SMEs – SAM Project still have ‘free’ places available on the following knowledge transfer workshops for process improvement methods which are starting this week:
The workshops will provide you the basics to ‘know how’ principles, that will make a big difference to operations. Full details are available via the Eventbrite link below.
All workshops will run every Wednesday for four weeks, from 8:30am – 1:00pm
20th November 2019 – Workshop 1 – Understanding the challenges in you factory; getting to grips with your manufacturing ambitions
27th November 2019 – Workshop 2 – Understanding the hidden costs of manufacturing; finding the cost and resource thieves
4th December 2019 – Workshop 3 – Identifying the manufacturing improvement opportunities; tackling the issues
11th December 2019 – Workshop 4 – Future proofing your manufacturing improvements; holding the gains
The workshops are suitable for production, warehouse and operations managers of all abilities and grades to attend.
All four workshops can be attended for a full understanding of the principles or you can select any workshop as stand alone.
Places are limited
Register via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-process-improvement-methodology-workshops-tickets-79355072157

EMCON 2019
2019-10-10 | Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe, DL, United Kingdom
EMCON showcases the very best of engineering and manufacturing in the North East and beyond.
Join over 1,000 visitors and 100 exhibiting companies for EMCON 2019 at the Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe as we celebrate excellence in one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors.
Over the past twelve years, EMCON (formerly Durham Oktoberfest) has established itself as one of the UK’s biggest and best engineering and manufacturing shows.
EMCON is your opportunity to network with engineers, manufacturers and service providers into the sectors and showcase your expertise.
VISIT THE EMCON WEBSITE

Supercharge your Business
2019-06-26 | Tanfield Lea Business Centre, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 9DB
PM session. Email ben.gilhespy@cdemn.org.uk for details.

Sales & Marketing (Session 4 of 4)
2019-06-25 | Consett Business Centre, Werdohl Way, Consett, DH8 6BP
4th session – To review sales targets and also pipeline, Where can you find sales and how can this be predicted and monitored.
3 hours. Email ben.gilhespy@cdemn.org.uk for details.

Sales & Marketing (Session 3 of 4)
2019-06-18 | Tanfield Lea Business Centre, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 9DB
3rd session – This will look directly at sales processes and account management split into 2 parts
3 hours. Email ben.gilhespy@cdemn.org.uk for details.

Sales & Marketing (Session 2 of 4)
2019-06-11 | Tanfield Lea Business Centre, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 9DB
2nd session – This will be split into two separate areas to include digital marketing ( a unique view on how to market your business to stand out) and traditional marketing routes to success.
3 hours. Email ben.gilhespy@cdemn.org.uk for details.

Sales & Marketing (Session 1 of 4)
2019-06-04 | Consett Business Centre, Werdohl Way, Consett, DH8 6BP
1st session will be looking at a value proposition, service offering and usp of your business. We will then look at an overview of different types of routes into sales including direct sales, quotations and tenders.
3 hours. Email ben.gilhespy@cdemn.org.uk for details.
