A facility built to provide leading edge technical support to engineering and manufacturing companies, plans to put the region's small and medium sized firms ahead of the competition.

The Digital Factory, based on the Aycliffe Industrial Park, was officially opened by Prime Minister Tony Blair in June last year.

Its primary focus is to support SMEs across the region with computer aided engineering, expanding the high-level technology support available to firms through the use of CAD/CAM software, including CATIA V5, Pro Engineer, Pro Desktop and Mechanical Desktop.

The Digital Factory was established by Bishop Auckland College, in partnership with IBM, Sedgefield Borough Council and South West Durham Training.

One business to use The Digital Factory's facilities is plastics business Pac-a-Vac, based on the Aycliffe Industrial Park.

As a result of the help received in rapid prototyping it has doubled its turnover by securing a major order to develop an innovative new product for a global manufacturer.

The product was developed using design software which Pac-a-Vac managing director Jonathan Stapley was trained to use, supported by its Rapid-Prototyping capabilities.

This assisted him in finalising designs and eliminating potential production problems prior to the commencement of manufacturing.

As a result, the final product went from initial concept to full scale manufacture in a matter of weeks.

Rod Russell, manager of The Digital Factory, said: "Through The Digital Factory's rapid prototyping service, Pac-a-Vac was able to go to the customer with a physical product in their hands, rather than drawings and sketches.

"We are trying to do this for other SMEs in the region, in a bid to maintained the region's competitive edge."

On Thursday, March 21, between 11am and 1pm or noon and 2pm, the Digital Factory will be hosting a free business lunch to demonstrate how its capability can assist your business in the same way it has Pac-a-Vac.

The Digital Factory Business Lunch will include a presentation by Rod Russell and hands-on sessions/demonstrations by Geoff Cunliffe, Digital Factory CAD/CAM specialist. Anyone wishing to attend the free Digital Factory Business Lunch should contact the Digital Factory Tel: (01325) 379600