MANUFACTURING industry showcase event Oktoberfest is gearing up for its busiest year after selling all the stands for more than 90 exhibitors.

And there are 11 companies ready to meet North East suppliers at the Meet the Buyer section of the Newton Aycliffe event, which takes place next Wednesday.

One of the buyers is Parker domnick hunter, a leading Netherlands-based compressed air and gas purification company with works in the North East which supplies markets including defence, manufacturing, transport and food.

Richard Moore, of Parker domnick hunter, said: “We consistently provide specialised products to satisfy demand from huge markets, including carbon dioxide purifiers for the beverage industry, breathing air purifiers and medical vacuum filters for hospitals and analytical gas solutions for life sciences and laboratories.

"These are all industries and applications where compressed air and gas purity, product and technological excellence combined with exceptional people and global customer support are viewed as absolutely paramount.

“We look forward to having the opportunity to promote Parker domnick hunter compressed air and gas solutions to a wide audience.”

Now in its fourth year, Oktoberfest is organised by the private sector to provide manufacturing and engineering companies with the chance to promote their services, inter-trade and network.

Among those attending will be representatives from investor NEL Fund Managers, which is responsible for the management of the £20m Finance for Business North East Growth Fund.

Jane Siddle, investment executive at NEL said: “The Growth Fund provides a fantastic opportunity for ambitious regional businesses to access the investment capital they need to develop their services. Manufacturing and engineering businesses form the backbone of our investee portfolio, and we’ve made several Growth Fund investments in these sectors over the last 18 months.”

To find out more about Oktoberfest contact Engineering Clusters County Durham on 01207 585 816.