Member News
Major business support event programme to launch at Gestamp’s Tallent Academy
North East engineering and manufacturing companies will be given support in supercharging their marketing and business development activities, with the launch of a new event series next month.
The Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN) and its affiliate partner, B2B marketing company Horizon Works, are kickstarting a new programme of monthly Marketing Lunch and Learn events at Gestamp Aycliffe in Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday 7th December 2021.
The event will be hosted by Gestamp at the Tallent Academy, a world class 4300 sq ft training facility adjacent to its Newton Aycliffe site which has been set up to further develop its workforce and support the North East business community.
Gestamp Aycliffe is part of Gestamp, an international group dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of automotive components.
The academy includes research and development capabilities, robot cells, specialist welding bays, tooling facilities, and in the near future an employee wellbeing facility will be introduced.
The first Marketing Lunch and Learn session will help companies to get the best out of LinkedIn – including how to use the social media platform to raise profile, generate leads and build their brands.
The Marketing Lunch and Learn event will include advice on building an effective and engaging LinkedIn company page, content marketing, using LinkedIn in public relations and shaping messaging for LinkedIn. Horizon Works will also demonstrate how companies’ staff members can improve their personal interactions on the platform.
EMN supports the continued growth of the North East’s engineering and manufacturing industries by building a strong collaborative community of businesses. It offers companies expert support and advice, and runs the highly successful annual EMCON exhibition and conference.
Horizon Works, which is based at Northumberland Business Park near Cramlington, Northumberland, supports innovators in complex industries and offers a wide range of integrated marketing services across strategy, PR, design and digital.
As well as running the EMN’s Marketing Lunch and Learn series, Horizon Works will also be offering a wider range of marketing support to EMN members, including drop-in marketing surgeries and member offers.
Samantha Vassallo, managing director of Horizon Works, said: “We’re delighted to be launching the Marketing Lunch and Learn events at Gestamp’s Tallent Academy – a fantastic venue built to support businesses in the North East.
“Working with the EMN, we will be helping companies to build their brands, stand out from the competition, enter new markets and increase sales.
“Our region is home to hundreds of innovative and visionary manufacturing and engineering firms, and we’re looking forward to supporting them through the Marketing Lunch and Learn events.”
Ben Gilhespy, Director of Operations at EMN, said: “The last 20 months have proven that we need to be adaptable to survive in business. One of the most important survival tools is a marketing strategy that continues to represent your business and its plans.
“These workshops will be an excellent opportunity to review your plans, create a workable and realistic strategy and listen to the experts as they guide you through the challenging world of marketing.
“We will be supporting our affiliate Horizon Works in creating this programme of workshops for our complex sector to be presented at some of our region’s most well known manufacturers.
“This is an exciting new strategy for Engineering & Manufacturing Network to support our members and further cement our position as the go-to organisation for our sector.”
Paul James, Head of Gestamp’s Tallent Academy, said: “We are extremely excited about welcoming Horizon Works, EMN and colleagues from the manufacturing sector to our Academy here in Newton Aycliffe.
“We are very proud of our Academy facility and see this as our Centre of Excellence for our people development, as well as a hub for the wellbeing needs of our workforce and their families.
“We also want to be able to support local business with their training and development requirements in the future. Our vision also looks for us to be integral in developing relationships within the local community as well as the local business community. We believe that our people are the architects of success.”
Horizon Works has been embedded into the manufacturing, engineering, tech and life sciences sectors since the company’s inception in 2010.
The company, which provides marketing services to regional, national and global organisations, specialises in grasping complex technologies, products and services and translating this information into compelling messages and campaigns.
Horizon Works’ supports clients including: Komatsu UK; Koch Technology Solutions, part of the global Koch Engineered Solutions organisation; economic regeneration company Advance Northumberland; Hartlepool-based metal mesh pioneer The Expanded Metal Company; Durham-based thermal printer manufacturer Martel Instruments; bespoke packaging solutions provider Taylor Packaging; hydraulic engineering specialist Industrial and Marine Hydraulics; Atlas Copco Rental UK, a leading provider of temporary compressed air, power, industrial steam and nitrogen; and Felling-based Tech Projects, a specialist in conveyor manufacture and stainless steel fabrication.
The first Lunch & Learn Marketing Session will be held between 12.00 and 2pm on 7th December at the Tallent Academy, Gestamp Aycliffe, Newton Aycliffe.
