Category: News & Updates

UK manufacturing is set to double in growth throughout 2021 following an unpredicted rebound in production.

Many manufacturers have invested heavily to ramp up production and are emerging stronger due to an increase in demand. Despite the challenges and limitations of Covid-19, here at European Springs, we were able to work at close to full capacity.

As leading spring manufacturers, we see the value of investing in the right areas of our business. Now that restrictions are being lifted, we want to discuss the effects of the pandemic and look at what the future holds for our industry.

 

A Growing Economy with the Rise in Export Business

Manufacturers have reached a record increase in new business as both domestic and overseas demand continues to revive. Businesses reacted to Covid restrictions and vaccination timetables by using the information to inform decisions of growth, tapping into different economies.

 

 

The IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose from 60.9 in April to 65.4 in May, the highest in the survey’s three-decade history, and economists suggest that the PMI surveys are a benchmark for future growth.

MAKE UK have also updated their growth forecast for manufacturing from 3.9 per cent to 7.8 per cent, above its forecast for GDP of 7.5 per cent.

 

High-level Output Volumes

Throughout the course of the pandemic, manufacturers had to work under pressure to produce high-quality items in larger volumes. The Independent recently reported that “surveys of manufacturers in Germany and France also pointed to strong growth as businesses ramped up production to meet rising demand.”

Make UK have predicted that with the ongoing results of vaccine effectiveness, manufacturing output levels should return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022, which is approximately six months earlier than previously suggested.

 

 

As a result of this new demand, manufacturers are turning to data-driven insights to inform operational strategies and consumer behaviour. This shows that the relationship between suppliers, manufacturers and customers is becoming more important.

In our recent blog, does online shopping boost manufacturing, we discussed the positive impact of consumer behaviour, new norms and the increase in demand online. By shifting to a more digitally-led approach, we believe that you can improve your global reach and build your business for the future.

 

Inflation on Materials and Job Surges

IHS Markit announced that businesses are reporting supply problems due to the rising demand for products, causing a rapid rise in the cost of materials. Freight costs have also increased after the UK left the EU in January 2021.

In particular, manufacturers have experienced shortages of electronics, plastics and metals. Severe delivery delays have also been prominent throughout Covid-19. In many cases, businesses have had to increase their costs to counteract the setbacks.

 

 

This new delivery demand and the backlog of items forced businesses to employ new staff at the fastest rate on record.

Group director of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, Duncan Brock, commented saying that “we haven’t seen this level of price inflation on materials for decades. The ongoing boost in job numbers was an attempt to build capacity to meet this surge as backlogs increased steeply and delivery times grew to unsustainable levels, pulling back on further progress in fulfilling orders”.

Rob Dobson, director at IHS, said: “The UK PMI surged to an unprecedented high in May, as record growth of new orders and employment supported one of the steepest increases in production volumes in the near 30-year survey history”.

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As one of the most reliable and highly praised spring manufacturers in Europe, we’re excited to see what the future of manufacturing has in store.

We’re confident that we will go from strength to strength as the manufacturing industry evolves. If you have any questions about our products and services, do not hesitate to contact us.

As leading spring manufacturers, we keep our fingers on the pulse with everything going on in the manufacturing and engineering industries.

We regularly update our news page with industry roundups, so it’s the best place to find out about current trends, announcements and information on the future of our industry.

We’ve just completed our half year figures which show an impressive 20% growth on last year. Over the last 12 months, we have endured tough, restrictive lockdowns, however we’re delighted to have recorded nearly 10% growth over 2019, which makes it a record breaking year!

Here’s a look at what’s been happening in manufacturing from January to June 2021.

“UK manufacturing growth at 30-year high”, says PMI survey

According to the survey, UK manufacturing is growing at its fastest rate for almost 30 years as the easing of lockdown unleashes new demand.

The IHS Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reached a high last month of 65.6, up from 60.9 in April. Any reading above 50 signifies growth, and April’s statistics were the highest on record since the survey began in 1992.

IHS director Rob Dobson comments that “growth is being boosted by the unlocking of economies from Covid restrictions and ongoing vaccination programmes. This is being felt across the globe, as highlighted by a record rise in new export business during the latest survey month”.

Businesses have highlighted shortages of electronics, plastics and metals, and there were also delays in transportation. This has led to the highest rise in the cost of supplies since 1992, forcing manufacturers to increase prices.

The number of online transactions and the demand for products has also been record-breaking since lockdown, but what does this mean for manufacturing? While smart manufacturing has already enabled streamlined processes, demand and growth in online shopping have certainly boosted the manufacturing industry, but there are also signs that suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand.

Find out more about the impact of online shopping on manufacturing in our blog, which looks into the positive effects of this consumer behaviour, new norms, and increased demand online.

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Manufacturing industry calls for targeted sectoral approach on Apprenticeship funding

Britain’s manufacturers are calling on the Government to adopt a rethink on how apprenticeship levy money can be spent to boost essential skills in rapidly growing industries like manufacturing and engineering.

47% of manufacturers recruited an engineering or manufacturing apprentice during the pandemic, with 57% saying they will do so again next year.

However, the latest figures show that £1,039 million of levy funds expired unused in the nine months from May 2020, wasting investment money that could have been spent providing vital training following the Covid-19 pandemic.

This money must be unlocked to train apprentices with the necessary skills to create well-paid jobs across the UK.

By welcoming apprentices every year, we see the benefits of having a development plan in place, and many of our qualified apprentices continue to develop their skills as spring technicians. It’s essential to strengthen our knowledge and introduce more diverse skillsets into our workplace, including preparing for future growth within manufacturing.

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The Engineer: Modern engineering needs AI

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) plays an integral role within design, extending beyond structural validation to predict every aspect of physics, including the behaviour of constituent materials and the suitability of manufacturing processes.

AI is shifting the focus and role of engineers as they have more data at their fingertips than ever before! The Future of Jobs report (2020) noted that employers see skill groups as rising in prominence in the lead up to 2025, including critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and skills in self-management — such as active learning and resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility.

When thinking about integrating AI into engineering, you must consider a complete set of steps that includes data preparation, modelling, simulation and test, and deployment.

At European Springs, we’ve implemented automation into our process in a considerable way. Using the latest CNC automated spring coilers and wire forming equipment in the industry, we can create bespoke solutions for pressings, wire forms and stampings. Take a look at our blog on the future of engineering.

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UK the second-largest defence exporter in the world

The UK is the second-largest defence exporter globally after the US, accounting for 16% of the global market and with 207,000 jobs supported by the industry.

According to the Make UK and Raytheon UK report, global defence and aerospace exports are valued at around £12bn. This is equivalent to almost 5% of total UK manufacturing output.

Here at European Springs, we’re proud to offer our services to the defence industry. We design and manufacture various parts for next-generation airborne smart decoys, high spec electrical connectors, Eurofighters and much more.

Take a look at our blog, how European Springs work with the defence industry to find out more about the parts we create for these high powered systems and equipment.

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‘Green jobs windfall’: Government hails £180m investment in offshore wind manufacturing hubs

The UK’s offshore wind industry has received a significant boost, with two leading suppliers announcing plans to expand their manufacturing capacity in the North East — it’s a move that will create and safeguard over 1,000 green jobs.

Offshore wind components manufacturers SeAH Wind Ltd and Smulders Projects UK confirmed they are to invest over £180m in expanding their production capacity after securing grant funding from the government’s £160m Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme.

SeAH Wind Ltd will receive funding towards a new £117m monopile foundation factory at the Able Marine Energy Park on the Humber, which will create up to 750 direct jobs by 2030.

Meanwhile, Smulders Projects UK are to receive funding towards a £70m investment for new equipment and infrastructure, enabling the manufacture of offshore wind turbine transition pieces, creating up to 325 direct jobs.

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We frequently update our news page with industry roundups, so check in regularly to find out what’s been going on in the UK manufacturing industry.

We’re dedicated to offering the highest level of service at competitive prices, and with a planned expansion on our current operations, the future for European Springs and Pressings looks bright.

Take a look at our stock catalogue for more information on our range of springs and forms. Alternatively, if you’d like to make an enquiry, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

As spring manufacturers, we must keep up with the latest news, movements and events within our industry.

We’re delighted to announce that we will be attending the DSEI (Defence & Security Equipment International) from 14 – 17 September 2021 at ExCeL London. The decision to proceed follows close consultation and discussions with the UK Government and industry stakeholders.

The DSEI is one of the world’s largest arms fairs. It’s hosted in London Docklands every two years and is attended by arms company representatives and military delegations from around the world.

In preparation for European Springs attending the show in September, we’ll provide you with information about the show, what to look out for this year, as well as our involvement.

If you’re interested in attending the event as a visitor, register now.

European Springs Powering Progress at DSEI 2021

Attending events and exhibits each year is important to us. We’ve been established as an industry leader for over 70 years, so we need to continue learning and building relationships to prepare for future growth within manufacturing.

Here at European Springs, we manufacture our high standard products to work with a range of customers across a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, off-shore, the defence industry, electric power and much more.

At our stand, you can expect to gain insight into one of the largest stamping and spring manufacturers in the UK. We’ll be happy to answer any questions on our in-house facilities, including the design, prototyping and assembly production manufacture of our products.

We see considerable benefits in networking with others to develop our knowledge and integrate with other businesses across various industries.

Multi-Domain Integration Focus for 2021

DSEI 2021 will centre around integration as the UK Ministry of Defence, British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and UK Strategic Command work to develop and maintain organic integration at all levels across all domains.

As British forces continue to modernise and meet the demands of the information age, they do so with the understanding that the future battlefield requires integration across land, sea, air, cyber and space. Under the theme of ‘Integrated Response to Future Threats’, DSEI 2021 will spotlight supporting this strategic shift with input from industry, academia, international partners and delegates.

As the only event to integrate each pillar of national security and defence, DSEI connects governments, national armed forces, industry thought leaders and the entire defence and security supply chain on a global scale.

The exhibit will be split into zones for aerospace, land, naval, security and ‘the joint zone’ which will feature the latest products and innovations servicing the whole Defence and Security Community. The show offers a valuable networking opportunity, as well as a unique platform for business through live-action demonstrations.

You will also have access to four hubs, including the new future tech hub, manufacturing hub, medical and space hub.

Why should you visit the DSEI?

Attending the DSEI gives you access to the global marketplace. With a 95% visitor satisfaction rate, the show is an essential opportunity to explore international business opportunities.

Here at European Springs, we believe the exhibition is a great opportunity network with peers and industry professionals and learn from other like-minded exhibitors and sponsors.

It’s no surprise that 94% of visitors say DSEI is important for their business. You can meet with suppliers and talk one-to-one with industry experts, as well as gain access to equipment, products, and the latest technologies.

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You can find more information about how to attend DSEI and what to expect on their website. We hope to see you there!

As part of the Lesjöfors Group, Metrol Springs will also be attending the event.

 

As an experienced spring manufacturer, we see many uses for our springs throughout the transport sector, particularly within the rail industry.

Custom springs are used frequently throughout the rail network for suspension systems, pistons and as supports. In this blog, we’ll explore how springs are a vital component in trains and their functionality.

Springs and Bogie Systems in Trains

The hydraulics system within trains helps them to run smoothly along the tracks. The weight of a train is supported by a hydraulic system which creates a sliding movement with little friction and abrasion

Engineering within the rail industry has come a long way. From early steam trains to fully spring-reliant electric systems.

In the UK, most trains use bogies to guide the carriages along the tracks. The bogie of a train is the undercarriage and usually has four to six wheels pivoted beneath the end of the vehicle. It is divided into the frame, the bolster, the pivot pin, the wheel assembly, roller bearing, the brake beams, brake block, brake levers and brake cylinders, all of which are vital to the structure of the bogie.

These systems have been developed and improved over years of design and testing. Bogie suspension systems were implemented because the space between the body of the train and the wheel needed a ‘cushion’ to reduce vibrations for passengers. By mounting a leaf steel spring on the axles, engineers have developed a bogie system with a more sophisticated suspension.

Primary Suspension System and Dashpot Arrangement

The primary suspension is made up of a standard spring-damper system that supports the carriage’s structural suspension and entire train. These damper systems are present in every bogie existing between the axle box and the bogie.

The primary suspension component in a bogie is through a dashpot arrangement, which comprises of a cylinder piston. The lower spring seat acts as a cylinder, and the axle box guide serves as a piston.

The bogie bolster, or support, is the central section of the area and will carry the majority of the coach weight. The bogie pivots around using the pin, which is centred and uses parts of the secondary suspension system, typically coil springs and a spring plank.

Dashpots can also be found within door closers to prevent them from slamming shut, as well as in shock absorbers in electrical switch gears, and so much more.

Secondary Suspension System

The secondary suspension connects the carriage’s body with the bogie and ensures the comfort of passengers — isolating the vehicle from vibrations transmitted from the track.

Air springs also help to reduce lower frequency range accelerations in the body of the train. The role of secondary suspension is to function as a pneumatic suspension. This type of suspension is also used in freight trains to keep cargo as secure as possible.

Bolster Support in Suspension Systems

The arrangement of the secondary suspension system is through the bolster springs. The bogie bolster is not structurally attached to the bogie frame. It is, however, connected through the anchor link, which is a tubular structure with cylindrical ends.

The anchor link is fixed to the bolster and the bogie frame with the assistance of brackets. Both ends of the anchor link form a hinge that allows movement of the bolster when the train is in transit.

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If your business works within the rail industry and you’re looking for a custom spring manufacturer capable of meeting your business requirements, please contact us to start a conversation or look at our spring brochure for a more details of the products we stock.

As an experienced spring manufacturer, we see many uses for springs throughout the medical industry, and it’s fair to say that the sector would be very different without them. Most of the equipment and systems used on a day to day basis require springs to operate efficiently.

We’re proud to manufacture and supply a wide range of medical stampings for the healthcare industry. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the most common uses of springs within this sector, including how gas springs are used and how prosthetics are made.

Medical Stampings for the Healthcare Industry

Medical components are always designed and manufactured with the highest quality in mind. With smart technology and streamlined processes, the whole sector relies on products to help patients and continue research.

Bespoke stampings, gas springs and compression springs are all used regularly throughout the healthcare industry. While medical engineering uses slightly different components, they have similar designs and features, including the requirement to comply with industry standards.

Gas Springs Applications in the Medical Industry

Due to their versatility, gas springs can be applied to a wide range of equipment and adjustable applications in the healthcare industry.

The spring itself is made up of a cylindrical body filled with nitrogen gas, a piston rod, a seal and a guiding function that allows the mechanism to extend and compress as required.

Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular uses for our gas spring and strut range:

1. Flow control valves
2. Healthcare beds
3. Physiotherapy beds
4. Pressure regulators
5. Patient trolley systems
6. Positive pressure ventilator
7. CPAP machines
8. Robotic-assisted surgery

Springs in Prosthetics

Progress in engineering and manufacturing has allowed artificial limbs and joints to change the lives of millions of people worldwide, and the field of medical prosthetics is still advancing.

Prosthetics date back to over 3,000 years ago in Egypt, where archaeologists discovered a carved wooden toe with a piece of leather that fits onto a foot. In the 16th century, Ambroise Paré, an innovative French battlefield surgeon, created the first functional mechanical limb — a hand with flexible fingers that worked with catches and springs.

The 19th century saw the creation of articulated prosthetic limbs, and while prosthetic limbs have existed for a long time, their use rose dramatically in the UK after World War I.

Manufacturers of medical prosthetics continue to break boundaries, creating life-like limbs that combine aesthetics with functionality.

The Technology of Today

3D-printed prosthetics are becoming more common due to the nature of them being less cost-prohibitive. They can easily be designed for each individual and are a necessity for developing countries where most citizens can’t afford expensive medical prosthetics.

Award-winning company Open Bionics are known for turning children with limb differences into bionic heroes with their fascinating 3D-printed limbs. The UK-based company also works closely with the NHS, working to help amputees write, walk, and shake hands again.

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With over 70 years of experience as a spring manufacturer, we have the expertise to create a whole host of springs perfect for any application within any industry.

If you’d like to find out more, please take a look at our ‘springs in various industries’ brochure (PDF) or browse our spring catalogue to find the correct medical springs for your medical components.