European Springs Web Team, Author at European Springs

Significant changes are coming to manufacturing in the UK. With both Brexit and the aftermath of a pandemic on the horizon for 2021, the focus for the manufacturing industry is going to be on reshoring to the UK from abroad.

The pandemic has highlighted the instability of producing goods abroad that cannot make it to UK shores in the event of a crisis. Brexit also looks set to make transporting goods from the rest of the EU more difficult and/or costly. Many manufacturers have already moved their production lines back to the UK, and many more are set to do so in the coming years.

Here at European Springs & Pressings, we are proud to be a British-based manufacturer, as demonstrated by our official Made in Britain accreditation. Here’s a look at the Made in Britain organisation and what we can expect from the manufacturing industry over the next years.

What is Made in Britain?

Made in Britain is an organisation that brings the British manufacturing community together under one registered collective mark. This mark can only be used by members of Made in Britain that meet the criteria of being a British manufacturer. The mark helps consumers and buyers identify products that are made in Britain.

The Made in Britain mark is used by accredited businesses that sell goods that have been manufactured or undergone a final substantial change in Britain before going on sale. It is an internationally recognised trademark that helps to promote the very best in British manufacturing.

We are proud to be one of the thousands of manufacturers that are part of the Made in Britain organisation. The mark assures our customers that our products are British-made and that all of the labour that goes into the creation of our products is in Britain.

What are the Benefits of Reshoring?

The challenges brought by COVID19 and the concerns over Brexit has increased the importance of bolstering the UK manufacturing industry, ensuring that supply chains are ready for an uncertain future.

Manufacturers moved production to countries like China to produce their goods more competitively. Still, as the overseas price advantage dwindles, more focus is being put on local products, face-to-face personal contact, and quality assurance – and that is driving business back to the UK.

The recent crisis has illustrated how many companies struggled to get crucial components from existing supply chains when their offshore suppliers were unable to ship them out. It’s highlighted that UK manufacturers need to be more adaptable. Suppose the UK moves more towards domestic production. In that case, it will reduce the likelihood of shortages caused during a crisis, which will be necessary for the future resilience of the UK economy and the manufacturing industry.

Reshoring can also benefit delivery times, as businesses will not have to factor in waiting times for deliveries across the globe, which can be anything from a few weeks to months. Due to the small size of the UK, fast delivery times are almost guaranteed, and issues like returns can be resolved much more quickly.

Lower labour costs from offshoring was an attractive prospect to many businesses. Still, a British manufacturing survey conducted by Lloyds Bank found that 71% of companies intending to bring their operations back to the UK were doing so as they wanted to improve the quality of their goods. It’s a good indication of the high standards upheld by British manufacturers, and it has positive implications for the UK manufacturing industry and supply chains.

Reshoring can improve a company’s ability to be flexible, due to there being less order quantity limitations. There’s also more scope to develop a relationship with local suppliers, which is easier to do from the UK than with a seller overseas. Reshoring manufacturing can improve the UK economy, the job market and the overall quality of products produced.

Is Reshoring Happening Right Now?

The pandemic has highlighted just how reliant UK manufacturers are on overseas supplies, so re-establishing UK production is more critical than ever.

The Lloyds Bank survey showed that 37% of UK manufacturing firms said that they were planning to move manufacturing operations back to the UK that had previously been offshored. More and more manufacturers are joining Reshoring UK, a collaboration of industrial engineering associations that assist manufacturers with connecting to suppliers in the UK to help them transition their business operations back to British shores.

Industrial hardware specialist Albert Jagger re-shored to the UK after conducting a risk assessment of their supply chain and evaluating the financials of the process. They found that once they factored in shipping, handling and the environmental impact, the overall terms were better for the customer, and the outgoing costs would be cheaper for them. They invested in the equipment needed to manufacture in the UK and reskilled their workforce. The benefits for them moving operations back to the UK was that they could take complete control of their products from start to finish; they expect a significant increase in the number of units they produce each year and they saw a substantial rise in sales.

We can expect more manufacturers to make similar changes over the years as the instability of the pandemic and Brexit causes people to think more about the future.

Here at European Springs & Pressings, we are expert spring manufacturers offering a bespoke spring and pressing design service that is manufactured in our factories in Cornwall and Kent. Contact us today to find out why we are the largest manufacturer of springs in the UK and discover what we can do for you.

Who would have thought, that the ground breaking design and manufacture of expansion and movement control joints, enabling the world’s buildings to stand the force of earthquakes, all begins in Cornwall and Devon?

European Springs & Pressings in Penryn, Cornwall, manufactures springs for South Brent based Vexcolt, one of the world’s leading producers of expansion joints and movement control joints.

Covering every continent across the globe, including buildings as iconic as Jeddah airport in Saudi Arabia to The Shard, to Jewel Changi airport in Singapore to the O2 arena, Vexcolt design and manufacture joint systems that enable buildings to absorb up to one metre of movement, when an earthquake strikes.

Arun Kingwell, Technical Specialist at Vexcolt says: “The UK is often misrepresented for its manufacturing capabilities, let alone Devon and Cornwall. However, here we are with two SME’s, working together, making a product that significantly contributes to the safety of infrastructures around the world.

We have technical sales offices in the UK, Europe, India, China and South-East Asia but we manufacture in the South West. It’s great to work with European Springs & Pressings as it enables us to not only deliver a high-end quality manufacture message but also a Made in Britain status that we’re very proud of.”

Michael Gibbs, Managing Director of European Springs & Pressings concludes: “It always surprises people how much a spring is depended on for multiple functionalities across so many diverse industries.

Vexcolt’s global influence in construction management, delivering solutions to complex building movement problems across all building types, is an engineering feat to behold. It’s an honour working with them and it puts a huge smile on the team’s faces, knowing their spring production is at the centre of safety for so many buildings across the world.”

At European Springs, we’re leading experts in spring manufacturing and pressing. Our products are used in major industrial environments all over the world, and we are proud to offer a bespoke service in the design and manufacture of custom springs. Our design team can work with you to develop and produce bespoke pressings from a vast range of materials.

So, let’s take a look at some of the processes European Springs uses to create bespoke pressings for your clients.

What is a Bespoke Pressing?

A bespoke pressing is a part that is brand new and not available as a standard part. These bespoke pressings must be designed and manufactured from scratch. While we have a vast range of standard pressings and springs for many applications, sometimes our clients need something unique to them and their business.

At European Springs, we can help you develop the part you need. We’ll ensure that it’s based on the working conditions and criteria required so that it’s the most economical and fit for function.

How Do European Springs Create Bespoke Pressings?

When you need a bespoke pressing, European Springs are on hand to help. Our design team will outline your stampings before the ideas are developed, and the production can begin. We produce our bespoke pressings from metal strips, carbon and stainless steels; copper, brass, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, aluminium and superalloy. We can also produce products from non-metallic materials such as Melinex.

We can work with a variety of thicknesses from 0.05 to 4mm, so no matter what your specific requirements, we can tailor our products to you using our vast range of production technology. We take into account the best material and finish, the ease of manufacture and repeatability and consider how the part can be used in production conditions. As the parts we make for you will be unique, we’ll start with samples to demonstrate the final product before beginning full production tooling.

European Springs can offer one-off samples of prototyping which can be made at a very low cost using standard tooling to prove the product is fit for function before taking it into mass production. You can even have changes and adjustments made to these samples at little or no cost. It’s important when creating bespoke products that you be involved in the early stages of the design so that we can develop an in-depth understanding of the technical requirements needed for your new part, including the market and cost implications.

That’s why we work closely with you from the initial design stages through to the final product. This ensures that you are 100% satisfied with your bespoke pressing and that it is perfectly suited to your needs.

We offer professional guidance and advice from the initial drawing board, guiding you through the choices of quality materials to optimise the functionality of the product and deliver a cost-efficient and high-quality end result.

Support from European Springs

When you need a bespoke pressing, our team of designers from European Springs are on hand to make decisions on the design, material and surface treatment of your pressing or stamping to ensure you get the best quality product. We have over 60 years of experience in the market, and we know what is needed in the planning, formation and production of bespoke pressings.

All our materials are extensively checked and tested to certify their use in the production of pressings and stampings. We have the experience and expertise needed to select the correct tools to facilitate the best results for your bespoke pressings.

At European Springs, we use specialised tools to produce our bespoke pressings, all made in house by our toolmakers using the latest CAD design programs and equipment. So whatever kind of bespoke pressing you’re looking for, we have the means and the know-how to create exactly what you need to the highest standards.

European Springs is your port of call for bespoke pressings and springs. If you would like to order a prototype from expert spring manufacturers today, you can reach us on 0208 663 1800, or you can send an email to info.bec@europeansprings.com. Or you can fill out and submit our online contact form, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed industries across the country, heightening the interest in reshoring manufacturers back to the UK. More and more manufacturers have shipped their operations abroad over the last few decades, and businesses moving abroad has been amplified due to Brexit. But could the pandemic tip the trend in the opposite direction, could we see more British manufacturers returning their operations to the UK?

There are several reasons we could see the return of the production of goods to our shores. The financial benefits are attractive, with the lower inventory costs and minimal risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates. By bringing business back to the UK, supply chains are shortened, making them less complicated and providing faster recovery times. There is also the added benefit to the British economy in the form of new jobs that help local communities.

Manufacturers Making a UK Return

Many British manufacturers have operations in China, but following the disruption brought by the pandemic, some businesses are considering the benefits of reshoring to the UK.

The UK managing director for the Japanese robotics company Fanuc has been inundated with enquiries about replacing Chinese labour with automation in the UK after the pandemic brought the world to a standstill back in March. Other companies, especially in the food and aerospace sectors, are looking to invest in collaborative robots to help ramp up production, with a PwC survey finding that 77% of 3,500 chief executives believe that the pandemic has accelerated the shift from human labour to automation.

The manufacturing company Albert Jagger Engineering produce metal components, and they are one such company which has signalled the green light to begin reshoring back to the UK from China. It would see the business returning to its manufacturing facility in Bloxwich for the first time since the early 2000s.

The process of reshoring involves moving the entire business operations back to the UK, allowing them to produce more efficiently, saving them time and costs in their manufacturing operations. With the help of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, they have refurbished their entire UK engineering facility with virtual reality technology to remap the layout of their shop floor.

The Operations Director Mark Hilton has said that the return to the UK will improve control over the production line and that the move is a result of the uncertain economic climate. He believes that the move will help decrease lead times, which currently take between four to six months in China, and which should take between seven to ten days in the UK. The company should also be able to offer a more bespoke service to their customers, and the company estimates that more than £2 million will be brought back to Britain over the next three years as a result of the move.

There are issues with reshoring to the UK. The head of manufacturing at Lloyds Bank believes that supply chains are so deeply embedded, that in some cases, the UK does not have the infrastructure to make the reshoring process easy. Bhavina Bharkhada of Make UK also believes that the process would be long and complex thanks to the intricacies of taking into account multiple suppliers in multiple places in multiple countries.

COVID-19 as the Catalyst

The disruption to the manufacturing industry as a result of the pandemic was felt across the country. The automotive industry was hit particularly hard by the shutdown; vehicle sales plunged during lockdown, with the supply being hit by months of delays for the delivery of raw materials, parts and products. It’s therefore likely that manufacturers based locally may be the ones to emerge from the pandemic less scathed than those that rely on overseas operations.

In response to the pandemic, there has already been a new initiative launched to help the UK manufacturing industry through the difficult phase of reshoring back to the UK. UK Manufacturing Unite is a movement urging more firms to collaborate and find solutions for developing domestic supply chains.

If COVID-19 has proven anything, it’s that there is a need for an increase in the repatriation of capabilities to the UK. Reducing the country’s reliance on offshore operations will help make the UK economy more resilient and prosperous. As technology develops and human labour-intensive practices are reduced in favour of automation, there is less need for cheap overseas labour and the UK could be at the forefront of these new, exciting changes to manufacturing and the supply chain.

Reshoring is likely to gain momentum as a result of both the pandemic and Brexit. Still, it’s vital that companies consider the challenges that will arise during their relocation, and ensure they are prepared for the significant, initial financial investment.

Our teams here at European Springs & Pressings are expert spring manufacturers based in Kent and Cornwall, offering a bespoke service for the designing and manufacturing of springs. Contact us today to find out more about our services.

Manufacturing has suffered heavily due to COVID-19. Warehouses had their operations shut down for months, and government guidelines demanding social distancing and other measures means that some companies will be working at a reduced capacity and are playing catch up to make a dent in their losses.

Fortunately, the UK government has offered to boost the country’s manufacturing capacity with an investment of £300 million in joint government and industry funding. It will be used to fuel innovation in areas like robotics, AI and augmented reality.

The investment will provide a crucial financial boost to the aerospace, automotive, pharmaceuticals and food and beverage sectors across the UK as the country builds up following the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The investment comes through the Manufacturing Made Smarter competition, which was a project aimed to help UK manufacturing supply chains develop technologies that make operations more efficient, productive, flexible and resilient. Firms of all sizes could apply for up to 70% of the funds they need for their research projects. The government will invest £147 million, with the rest of the £300 million backed by funding from the industry, to support businesses using new technology in manufacturing.

£50 million of the funding is being given to 14 manufacturing projects that involve a mix of SMEs, larger businesses and universities, whose applications for the Manufacturing Made Smarter competition were successful.

One such successful project is Digital Designer Robot, which offers machine-to-person digital assistance. The idea is that when a company needs a bespoke product, they can use a digital robot to help with the design, which can then be quickly uploaded to the supplier’s website, allowing for a quick turnaround of sampling, and a prototype is manufactured.

Another successful project is the Smart Connected Shop Floor. Using real-time data integration, this digital technology includes augmented reality headsets for engineers so businesses can guide them through repairs, and the use of smart devices to exchange information between computer systems.

The Digital Sandwich is a project that involves digitalising the food supply chain, helping a sandwich supplier serve the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic. They are creating software where food and drinks companies can connect and share data. This information exchange will be used to boost productivity, improve cash flow and reduce waste within the supply chain.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma confirmed the funding for these projects at London Tech Week; he said that: “Increasing productivity is vital for any business, and having the right new technologies in place can help manufacturers make better products to compete and thrive.”

How Can Technologies Help Manufacturing?

COVID-19 has caused many difficult challenges across all industries, especially manufacturing. Manufacturers must invest in the right kind of technologies that provide unique, digital solutions to supply problems so they can continue to survive during these uncertain times.

The pandemic has caused disruptions to normal operations thanks to lockdowns and travel restrictions. Workers need safe access to their workplace where they can keep a safe distance from others while coping with a reduced workforce. Fortunately, technologies can be used to optimise manufacturing processes, helping businesses to not only survive but thrive during these uncertain times.

Planning

Planning is a crucial part of manufacturing and supply chain operations. This is often handled by the people in charge, possibly by separate teams. But the pandemic has forced businesses to improve their company visibility so they can make cost-savvy decisions, and the impact of good planning is more evident.

This is where autonomous planning can come into play. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms can use both internal and external datasets from suppliers, customers and broader economic indicators to incorporate variables and help companies respond to changing dynamics. This technology can optimise the planning processes across the entire chain, providing end-to-end visibility and allowing decisions to be made based on strategic modelling that produces cost-effective results.

Manufacturing goods

The manufacturing of goods has been put under strain thanks to COVID-19. Companies now need to cope with social distancing measures, a staggered workforce and restricted movement of migrant labour between countries. Fortunately, digital technologies can help with employee safety, operational efficiency and productivity.

Digital technology helps with remote working and collaboration, reducing the footfall in physical warehouse locations. Location tracking mobile apps and wearable technologies can also help workers maintain social distancing as they start to go back to work.

Many processes can be automated through the use of robotics, helping workers cope with a reduction in their workforce and reducing contact between employees. These robotic workers can supplement labour capacity, taking over some of the simpler, or dangerous, tasks and freeing up human workers to do the more intricate work that AI is not capable of performing.

Aside from the actual manufacturing processes, digital technologies can also help with quality assurance. Machine-vision algorithms can perform quality inspections using predictive algorithms, relieving human employees of this role while increasing the precision of quality checks.

Delivery

Delivering manufactured goods is a complex process that often involves third parties. The pandemic has reduced transportation and added new challenges such as contactless delivery and transport restrictions. That’s why digital solutions can be used to help increase visibility and improve deliveries across the sector.

From loading at the collection point to unloading at the delivery point, digital fleet management, route optimisation and carrier analytics can optimise operation, management and resource allocation. Telematics and on-board sensors, combined with machine learning, can help improve driver behaviour, increase fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and minimise asset downtime.

Warehouses can be fitted with automated storage and retrieval systems, smart shelves, and picking robots and drones to help optimise delivery processes. Augmented-reality tools can also be used to make picking multiple orders more manageable and more effective, and the use of exoskeletons can help reduce the possibility of injury to workers lifting heavy materials.

COVID-19 has created many challenges for manufacturing, but for those that invest the right kind of technologies, they can improve their processes, streamline operations and boost their cash flow. At European Springs, we are expert spring manufacturers; if you’d like to learn more about our services, contact us today.

The manufacturing industry of today is unrecognisable compared to 30 years ago, so it makes sense that the future of the industry won’t look anything like it does now. Manufacturing in the UK in 2050 is set to be a much eco-friendlier production. Recycling will come into play more, and entire factories could be powered by nothing but renewable energy.

Embracing this new, greener future is an exciting but also vital prospect. Climate change is a real issue affecting all industries, and a shift towards more sustainable ways of operating is necessary and unavoidable. The UK needs to make this transition by decarbonising its processes along the supply chain and reducing the carbon required in manufacturing.

Why is Green Manufacturing Important?

Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, water shortages, heatwaves, flooding, and more disasters the world over. The issue is only set to get worse, so the challenge is to meet these problems head-on and come up with innovative solutions.

The UK manufacturing industry is the ninth largest in the world and accounts for 42% of UK exports. When we take into account all the impacts of the UK manufacturing industry, the sector makes up around 15% of the UK’s economy. Manufacturing will have to cope with much of the structural changes needed to tackle the climate change problem.

Everything from energy, transportation, industrial processes, agriculture, and more will need to shift towards ridding themselves of the old, carbon-intensive processes. Switching to low carbon technologies and more efficient use of resources is one of the manufacturing industry’s greatest challenges. Clean energy is expected to be one of the largest markets of the 21st century, set to be worth more than £100 billion by 2030. So while the switch might be costly in the beginning, the future opportunities far outweigh the risk.

New technologies and innovations can help to completely reconstruct how industries like manufacturing operate. The decarbonisation of manufacturing is a big opportunity for the UK economy, raising productivity and creating sustainable jobs. By getting more out of existing resources, manufacturing can drive sustained productivity growth.

How Manufacturing is Changing

Manufacturing is already seeing a big shift towards more sustainable ways of working. While COVID-19 managed to bring the industry to a standstill and significantly impact the UK economy, it may actually have provided a boost to the shift towards more sustainable manufacturing practices.

Research shows that more sustainable practices often lead to a bigger profit, and businesses that invest in sustainability will reap the benefits. Before COVID-19, The Manufacturers’ Organisation UK found that 30% of manufactures were investing in energy-efficient measures, with 40% reporting an increase in profits as a result. In fact, 90% of manufacturers are aware of the 2050 net-zero target instated by the government, and nearly half of them were already committed to finding ways to help meet this.

Manufacturers were already starting to switch to greener practices, but it looked like COVID-19 has accelerated this, with many businesses wanting the government to offer energy-efficient measures to aid a green recovery from the pandemic. As manufacturers return to work, and learn some key lessons as a result of the virus, more opportunities have opened up to improve sustainability, transform the way the economy operates and work towards a green recovery.

Technological innovations are the driving force behind green manufacturing practices. In the supply chain, processes and products can be decarbonised, reducing the carbon needed to produce the products, making them more efficient; this involves design improvements and efficiency-enhancing techniques such as using smart technologies. Use of data analytics and robotics can help production lines revolutionise the manufacturing process.

Take, for example, the car manufacturing giant Ford. They have already adopted VR, allowing them to bypass having to use up resources building physical model prototypes. Instead, a VR model is made, and this is used to workshop ideas and changes, lessening their environmental impact as they do not waste valuable resources.

Companies that invest early will have greater success in diversifying future products and markets. The UK manufacturing industry is well placed to make the transition to eliminating emissions. Through the Climate Change Act of 2008, the UK became the first country to set a legally binding emissions-reduction target, setting a precedent for industry decisions.

So far more than half of the electricity in the UK comes from low-carbon sources, 39% of which comes from renewables. The offshore wind capacity is higher than any country, 40% of the total worldwide, and the electric car industry in the UK accounts for 6% of the global market, ranking it sixth in the world in 2018.

The UK has a strong advantage in creating these innovative technologies to help drive sustainability. The reasons for this include:

A competitive product market
A flexible labour market
World-class universities providing excellent graduates
Globally competitive firms in manufacturing

With continued investment and support, the UK government could help the manufacturing industry become a world leader in green manufacturing. The challenge is complex, involving a delicate balance between remaining competitive and maximising potential. With both Brexit and COVID-19 taking over the government’s focus, it could be a long way off, but there is reason to be optimistic about the UK’s ability to tackle this green transition head-on.

At European Springs, we take a vested interest in manufacturing news. We are expert spring manufacturers based in Kent and Cornwall. Contact us today to find out more about our services.

Author: European Springs Web Team