European Springs Web Team, Author at European Springs

The collaboration between manufacturers and energy companies is consistently beneficial, and this is especially relevant when considering the engineering possibilities related to springs. The energy sector, divergent from traditional industries, promotes continuous progression in component design. While this has always been true, it has accelerated in recent years with the increased investments in renewable technologies. Read on to explore how these two sectors work collaboratively for the betterment of each other and the world.

The Power of Collaboration Between Spring Manufacturers and Energy Companies

Whilst stock springs provide consistently reliable results, this limitation often proves to be restrictive for the evolving nature of applications in the energy sector. This creates a persistent demand for custom spring design, further encouraging collaboration with spring manufacturers to engage in innovative pursuits to fulfil the needs of the changing sector.

The rewards for energy companies within this collaboration are substantial. By having spring manufacturers create custom solutions, they obtain products that align directly with their specific needs. It is this higher level of manufacturing control and quality that encourages sustained reliability—an essential element in the energy sector.

The collaboration is not confined to addressing intricate engineering difficulties alone. The openness of the partnership fosters iterative feedback exchange across many areas, from component specifications and capabilities to how they are sourced for responsible manufacturing. Energy companies communicate their unique challenges, enabling spring manufacturers to refine their expertise. It represents a symbiotic relationship driven by common objectives, including efficient solutions, operational excellence, and market competitiveness.

European Spring’s Work With the Energy Sector

We have decades of experience interfacing with electrical power entities across Europe. Our skill set is anchored in our ability to construct high-quality springs, pressings, and wire forms – components that are indispensable in various energy-generation mechanisms and machinery.

Our springs for electrical power primarily revolve around the creation of components designed specifically for electrical applications, acting as the foundation of numerous widely used electrical products. The intricate fabrication of these customised solutions demands a keen understanding of precision engineering underpinned by comprehensive experience in the field. We utilise a unique blend of technical craftsmanship and innovative methodologies to deliver components that align diligently with our client’s requirements.

Central to our operations is a commitment to serve a broad spectrum of industries with our springs and bespoke pressings. Geographical borders do not restrict our manufacturing expertise. Collaborating with global associates, such as the Lesjöfors Group, we take pride in our ability to design, produce, and deliver esteemed products to customers across the globe.

Role of Spring Designs in the Energy Sector

As a dedicated UK spring manufacturer, we harness precise mechanical properties in designing springs. Compression, torsion, and extension springs comprise our core portfolio.

Compression Springs

Our specifically designed compression springs serve a pivotal role in energy generation. These springs store energy and exert a resisting push force when compressed. In energy applications, they are often found in safety valves, acting as a central element in preventing pressure build-up.

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs, another key product, operate by applying torque or rotational energy. Depending on their design, these springs can store and release angular energy or simply hold a mechanism in place. They are frequent constituents of generator mechanisms, providing crucial support in maintaining operational efficiency.

Tension Springs

Tension springs, distinguished by their tightly coiled loops, store energy and create resistance to pull forces. Commonly employed within electrical switchgear and circuit breakers, these springs aid in managing electricity flow and promoting safety standards.

Wire form Designs in the Energy Industry

At European Springs, we fabricate intricate wire forms, each tailored to their unique energy sector applications. Designing these wire forms demands an integration of innovation, precision, and versatility to adequately serve the broad energy sector needs.

Our wire forms are often utilised within power line transmission systems. In these settings, they prove indispensable for securing key elements and promoting transmission efficiency. Custom-designed wire forms also find applications in housing and securing electrical wiring in power stations or distribution equipment.

Pressing Designs and their Impact on the Energy Sector

Equally critical in our line of work are bespoke pressings. We design and manufacture pressings that offer unique solutions tailored to energy industry applications.

Our precision pressings provide invaluable mechanical advantages within energy systems. These often act as connectors within electrical systems, such as circuit breakers and switchgear. Their design and manufacture necessitate a deep understanding of the EC directives connected to the energy market.

In conclusion, our tailored spring designs, wire forms, and pressings are integral to the energy industry’s demands. Whether driving efficiency, promoting safety, or ensuring connectivity, our products epitomise the power of precision engineering in the energy sector.

Bespoke Spring Manufacturing for the Energy Sector

As a spring manufacturer working with international electrical power companies, our role extends beyond the simple manufacturing of components. We are partners in progress with this sector, providing the energy sector with robust and effective spring solutions that propel the industry towards more efficient energy generation and distribution systems.

Our constant pursuit of pioneering spring designs triggers new possibilities for future energy production, including renewables. Contact our team directly to discover how our expert engineer’s work will benefit your energy facility.

UK manufacturers understand the environmental imperatives at stake, and we’ve been taking robust strides towards reducing carbon footprints and conserving resources. A sense of social responsibility doesn’t just drive this commitment alone. It’s also about creating durable, efficient practices that will benefit the industry, economy and the planet long term.

Even with the UK government’s decision earlier this year to defer its Net Zero ambitions, our industry’s dedication to sustainability remains steadfast. Navigating uncertainty, manufacturers are doubling down on efforts to limit carbon emissions and promote renewable energy. The commitment of Lesjöfors Group to the SBTi is a reflective beacon of this unwavering resolve towards a sustainable future.

Understanding this Pioneering SBTi Commitment Strategy

The Lesjöfors Group, a leader in the spring manufacturing industry, is taking climate responsibility to new heights. It has embraced the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), a pioneering sustainable scheme that marks a first for the industry. With the Paris Agreement as its compass, Lesjöfors aims to catalyse impactful environmental action throughout its global operations.

At European Springs, we’re proud to be part of a group committed to addressing the world’s most pressing concern – climate change. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an effort embraced by the Lesjöfors Group, addresses this issue head-on.

The SBTi happens to be a joint initiative by the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, the World Wide Fund for Nature, and the Carbon Disclosure Project. This agreement encourages businesses worldwide to set science-based targets that align with the Paris Agreement’s ambition – limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

In concrete terms, as one of the spring manufacturers that has committed to the SBTi, we pledge to measure and reduce our carbon footprint in line with science’s most recent climate data. It’s this data-driven approach that ensures continual progress in the direction of a sustainable future for us and everyone within the Lesjöfor Group.

The SBTi’s Significance to the Spring Manufacturing Industry

The SBTi’s adoption within the spring manufacturing industry holds immense significance and is the future of manufacturing in general. Our industry, like any other, impacts the environment. It’s our imperative to minimise this as much as possible. The strong commitment to the SBTi sets a credible, science-based course of action to lessen our environmental footprint and inspiration to develop more sustainable practices to improve manufacturing operations.

Through the SBTi commitment, we can ensure our operations align with current science, subsequently driving us down a pathway to a more sustainable future. This initiative doesn’t just promise environmental protection but also promotes industry innovation and robust economic growth, something sorely needed during our nation’s current economic crisis.

SBTi Contributing to a Circular and Sustainable Society

By pledging adherence to the Science Based Targets initiative, Lesjöfors Group enters the path to circularity. SBTi provides explicit routes to cut carbon emissions per the latest scientific data. It creates a roadmap for Lesjöfors to transition gradually from the linear, extractive industrial models to a circular, regenerative system.

The Concept: Circular Sustainability

A circular approach to sustainability transforms how we view resource management. It champions recycling, reusing, and reducing outputs in the quest for a waste-free, ecologically balanced society. Instead of the traditional linear model of ‘make, use, dispose’, this approach promotes a cyclic process where waste reincarnates as a resource.

Embracing SBTi: A Step Towards a Circular Future

The SBTi’s core encourages circular principles. Its focus is not merely on reducing carbon footprints but also catalysing industry-wide sustainability. Embracing the SBTi commits Lesjöfors to sustainable practices that enable a continuous value cycle. Our products and processes will be fine-tuned to maximise resource conservation, creating sustainable outputs.

Benefitting from the Circular Advantage

The work we have already done to reach previously established Net Zero goals in manufacturing makes transitioning to a circular system easy. When you transition to a circular system, the benefits are multifold. Not only does it significantly reduce waste and environmental impact, but it also boosts economic efficiency. It’s a healthy, growth-promoting cycle – lower resource inputs lead to lesser waste outputs, which, in turn, reduces environmental degradation.

Lesjöfors’ Ambition and Commitment Towards Sustainability

As Ola Tengroth, the CEO of Lesjöfors Group, shared the following.

“Our ambition is to become the most sustainable spring and pressing manufacturer in the world. To achieve this, we need to act. We know manufacturing has an impact on our environment, and that is why sustainability integration has historically been one of our core strategic objectives. Advancing our focus, committing to a climate reduction roadmap by setting emission reduction targets grounded in climate science, through the recent signing of the SBTi agreement, is a natural step in our sustainability progression and cements our commitment.”

Additionally, Anna Haesert, Head of Sustainability at Lesjöfors Group, says:

“Sustainability is about looking at the big picture and figuring out how we can contribute to a circular, sustainable society, monitoring technological developments around us, and valuing partnerships and collaboration. Lesjöfors has an ambitious sustainability strategy, and climate action is one of our priorities. We are on a journey, and signing up for the SBTi confirms our commitment and helps direct our roadmap to improve our sustainability goals even further. We have already finalised our complete greenhouse gas accounting, developed our near-term targets and submitted these to the SBTi.”

Sustainable Spring and Pressing Manufacturing at European Springs

With the SBTi commitment, Lesjöfors Group reaffirms its dedication to sustainability, and we are proud to be a part of this plan and this organisation. Together, we’re confident to be a helpful part of this science-based initiative that is leading the way to a sustainable future and to include its processes within our many existing sustainable solutions.

Contact us to discuss our high-quality custom spring design and sustainable manufacturing process with us directly and discover how we will ensure your next project contributes to a sustainable economy.

Springs are essential components within almost every application, from commercial products to industrial machinery and transport. The unique requirements of these varied applications demand the creation of a broad range of spring designs, each tailored to fulfil a specific role; this is where spring design comes in.

Read on to explore the complexities our engineers and spring designers overcome as they mass-produce a broad range of these invaluable components for every industry.

The Importance of Spring Design

The importance of design in spring manufacturing cannot be overstated. Precise measurements and careful consideration of various elements are crucial. A bespoke spring design must account for factors like type, load, and movement, as even the slightest alteration can impact performance.

For example, simply changing the material of a spring can significantly impact its capabilities, even without modifying the dimensions. Even a slight adjustment to the outer diameter of a spring can make a world of difference.

When designing a spring, it is essential to consider aspects such as free length, solid height, number of coils, travel and load, force capacity, spring ends, and inner diameter.

We collaborate closely with our clients during the manufacturing process, ensuring our experienced team can effortlessly assist in creating the perfect spring design for your project.

Moreover, it is vital to prioritise spring design before finalising other components of your product. Neglecting spring design can result in safety issues or failure to perform as desired.

A well-thought-out spring design produces the following benefits:

Longevity, as the design considers the spring’s operating environment and material specifications.
Exceptional quality, thanks to carefully selected spring materials and manufacturing processes.
Compatibility with the product it will be integrated into, as precise dimensions are accounted for during the design stage.

Considering the correct spring design also helps to avoid budget overruns. Improperly designed springs can be unreliable, potentially causing product launch delays and increased expenses due to rework or requiring additional batches. By ensuring the initial design is correct, you can have functional springs with the right dimensions, eliminating the need for fixes or reordering.

At European Springs, we encourage collaboration with our customers with our spring design support service to understand your specific needs and ensure that every aspect of spring design is thoroughly evaluated to deliver the best possible results.

Force, Displacement and Stiffness in Spring Design
The fundamental characteristic to remember about springs is their ability to store potential energy when deformed and release it when the deforming force is removed. Force is not the only aspect to consider when designing spring specifications; there is also displacement and stiffness. Here is an explanation of what defines each:

Force refers to the applied external load or the resistance a spring offers to deformation.
Displacement is the change in position or length of a spring when subjected to a force.
Stiffness, however, quantifies how resistant a spring is to deformation. It is determined by the spring’s material, geometry, and dimensions. Higher stiffness means the spring requires more force to induce a given displacement.

Understanding the relationship between force, displacement, and stiffness is key to designing efficient and reliable springs. These fundamentals are essential to establishing the core requirements of the eventual spring design.

Spring Design Considerations at European Springs

Designing an effective spring requires a thorough understanding of its operating environment, the application requirements, and the spring material’s physical characteristics. For designers and manufacturers to achieve optimal performance from a custom spring, they must consider several fundamental design principles.

Spring Material Choices

One of the most critical factors in spring design is the choice of material. Selecting the right material can ensure that the spring has the required strength, durability, and corrosion resistance for its intended use. Common materials used in spring manufacturing include stainless steel, carbon steel, high-carbon spring steel, and alloy steel.

Once the material is chosen, designers must consider the spring’s dimensions. Spring dimensions are calculated with a high degree of accuracy using theoretical models. At European Springs, their designers use in-house developed software for all traditional spring types and specially configured FEM software for complicated geometries. This ensures the spring can withstand heavy loads, achieve the required deflection, and maintain its shape and function over time.

Spring Mechanics and Functionality

Designers must also be mindful of each metal’s mechanics, strength theories, and potential functionality. The effect of residual stresses and the control of these stresses are important and are always considered in every design. Our experts maintain detailed knowledge of the many applications and all the standards and specialities that are required for optimal spring design.

Another critical factor to consider is the processing methods involved in spring manufacturing. Processes such as coiling, end grinding, shot peening, and heat treatment are all important considerations in spring design, as they can affect the spring’s performance, fatigue resistance, and longevity. At European Springs, its manufacturing process is adaptable to any specific customer requirement, with various treatments applied to its springs, from electroplating to powder coating.

Furthermore, high-speed shock loading and transient phenomena are areas that are important in some applications and are taken into consideration by industry experts. Professional teams can select stress levels through specific training and experimental processes, evaluate creep relaxation and fatigue performances and determine the best processing methods and surface treatment for a particular application.

It is worth noting that the process of spring designing involves many different branches of science. This includes the above-mentioned material science, processing methods, and mechanical engineering theories, spring manufacturing technology, and the importance of tool/control of residual stresses. European Springs encourages and supports customers with a high understanding of springs, spring materials, and surface treatments to work with the company’s team of experts to achieve the best products in the spring and pressing field.

Prototyping and Testing
Prototyping and testing play pivotal, final role in the spring design process. Through iterative design improvements and validation, we refine our designs to achieve optimal performance and reliability. By closely examining each aspect of the prototype and rigorously testing it in real-world conditions, we ensure that our springs meet the highest quality and performance standards.

Bespoke Spring Design at European Springs

At European Springs, we pride ourselves on our expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional prototype spring and pressing designs. With our team considering various design factors, embracing innovative approaches, and employing collaborative design processes, we create springs that perform flawlessly and enhance the overall design. Contact us today to discover how our custom spring design service can meet your exact requirements.

At European Springs, we take great pride in our expertise in designing and manufacturing various spring and pressing products for various applications. These humble yet indispensable components prove their versatility across various household, workplace and transportation objects as reliable parts. Read on to see how many springs you unconsciously encounter daily, the importance of understanding different spring designs, and our bespoke services to create these applications.

Springs in Household Items

Springs are ubiquitous in countless household items, pivotal in their functionality and convenience. While the list is extensive, we can only touch upon a few examples.

Sprung Mattress

Springs are the unsung heroes of a good night’s rest. As we lay down to sleep, the compression springs in a sprung mattress provide crucial support for our bodies. They react to our movements throughout the night, ensuring optimal comfort and alignment. Without these springs, a restful night’s sleep would be impossible.

Door Handles

Have you ever considered the role of springs when opening doors? We rely on them countless times daily as we enter and exit rooms. Torsion springs provide the necessary tension, making it effortless to grip and turn door handles, allowing smooth operation with minimal effort. This spring design is used in any size door that operates on a hinge principle, be it a large facility, internal home or even microwave door.

Remote Control

Next time you use a remote control, take a moment to appreciate the springs at work. Without springs, remote controls and similar battery-operated devices would cease to function. This vital combination of springs and pressings completes the electrical circuit within the remote control battery compartment, enabling the transmission of signals to control electronic devices. They provide the necessary power for the device to operate without dependence on external power sources or wires.

DVD Drives and Games Consoles

Tension springs have an essential role in the design of DVD, Blu-ray and games console entertainment devices by providing the necessary force to maintain the function of the drive tray. These springs are typically used in the loading mechanism of the players, allowing the tray to smoothly open and close.

When the eject or load button is pressed, the spring expands or contracts, exerting the required force to move the tray. Without tension springs, DVD and Blu-ray players’ smooth operation and functionality would be compromised. Including these springs ensures reliable and efficient performance, allowing users to load and eject discs conveniently.

Springs in Workplace Items

Workplace equipment often incorporates spring designs to enhance functionality and improve user experience. For example, various pieces of office stationery would surprise people with custom spring designs within them.

Staplers and Hole Punchers

Staplers and hole puncher springs use tension and compression to provide the necessary force to compress the material being worked on. These springs are typically located inside the tool’s main body and push the plunger forward when pressure is applied to the handle.

Badge Holders

Retractable badge holders often use spring designs to enable the cord or chain to be easily pulled in and out of the holder. These retractable mechanisms typically include a clock spring that stores energy from the user’s pull and unwinds to extend the cord or chain. The spring tension is designed to be strong enough to securely retract the cord or chain while remaining sufficiently flexible to offer a comfortable and convenient user experience.

Mechanical Pens

Pens and pen caps often utilise compression springs to ensure a secure and smooth action when opening and closing. The spring is usually located in the pen barrel or the cap and applies the necessary force to hold the cap in place or move the pen tip forward.

Springs in Transportation

We cannot avoid encountering springs even when travelling from home to work. Springs have a vital role in the transportation and automotive industry and are highly effective at helping us easily get from our homes to workplaces.

Springs in Cars

Springs in cars play a crucial role in providing a smooth and comfortable ride for commuters. Suspension systems with coil springs absorb shocks and vibrations, ensuring a stable and controlled driving experience. The springs in these systems are significantly improved over the years but you’ll also find compression springs in other areas such as the seats.

Springs in Trains

In the rail industry, springs serve as vital components in the suspension systems of both locomotives and carriages. They help absorb the lateral and vertical forces generated during train travel, ensuring a stable ride and passenger comfort. These springs assist in maintaining the balance and stability of the train, facilitating a safe and efficient commute between home and work.

Springs n Busses

Busses also rely on springs, specifically in their suspension systems, to provide passengers with a smooth and comfortable journey. Coil springs or air springs support the weight of the bus and absorb bumps and vibrations, resulting in a more pleasant ride. By ensuring a comfortable travel experience, these springs help people commute effortlessly from their homes to their workplaces.

Bespoke Spring Manufacturing from European Springs.

These are just some of the many items that depend on springs to function, and they, in turn, rely on spring manufacturers like us to create these components to the highest standard.

With our expertise and commitment to excellence, application designers can trust that their products will meet the highest standards and surpass customers’ expectations. A partnership between your designers and our team of engineering manufacturers is essential in achieving innovative and reliable solutions for the above examples and many more across every sector.

To enquire about our bespoke service, contact us today, and we’ll help get your application the spring designs it needs.

Every year at European Springs, we invest in the future of our company and the wider sector to meet the evolving demands of the manufacturing industry. This means more than investing in the latest equipment and processes; we invest in the most valuable resource available: engineering apprentices. Through our excellent apprenticeship program, we support the next generation of engineers as they start their profitable careers and help to ensure the future of our industry and European Springs long-term.

Our Latest Apprentices

This year, we welcome on board three new apprentices:

Louis Taylor (age 16)
Ashlei-Rae Campbell (age 16)
Malachi Payne (age 21).

All three of these eager apprentices will undertake a BTEC level 2 in Manufacturing Engineering at North Kent College in Gravesend. Having joined the European Springs & Pressings team, they have begun the training that will enable them to become qualified spring makers and engineers within a spring manufacturer facility. During the first two years of employment, all three will circulate through all business areas to gain experience and understanding of the business and manufacturing technologies.

Our apprentices have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology, honing their skills in areas such as CAD design, CNC machining, and advanced manufacturing processes. This hands-on experience enhances their employability and equips them with industry-specific knowledge that sets them apart.

Managing Director Stuart McSheehy started his career in our industry as an engineering apprentice. He believes in engaging and developing the young minds of today, developing robust long-term succession and skills into the future. Often, we talk about sustainable manufacturing solutions being at the forefront of our thinking, but this means more than a green approach to manufacturing. It means ensuring a sustainable industry workforce built with dedicated STEM apprentices like these three latest students. Developing our human capital and skills is another step towards ensuring European Springs leads the industry towards sustainable skills development and growth.

EngineeringUK Supporting STEM Apprenticeships

Manufacturing apprentices are critical for our industry, and fortunately, with the increasing support of various organisations, now is a great time to explore a future as an engineering apprentice.

The recently announced five-point plan to increase support for engineering and technology apprenticeships is a welcomed development in the UK. The plan, launched by former Labour and Conservative ministers Lord Knight and Lord Willetts, and backed by the non-profit organisation EngineeringUK, aims to address the decline in apprenticeships in the engineering and technology fields over recent years.

Five-Point Plan Targets

Based on insights gathered from businesses, education providers, and young people, the five-point plan contains key policy recommendations for all political parties to consider.

Rebalance Education Regarding STEM

The first recommendation is to rebalance education, ensuring that the secondary school system, including technical pathways, is fit for the future. This is an important policy, as it will help provide students with a solid foundation in engineering education, ensuring they are better prepared to pursue high-level apprenticeships in the engineering sector.

Support Diversity Amongst Students

The second recommendation is to support young people in finding apprenticeships and breaking down barriers. This policy is important because it will help to ensure that young people from diverse backgrounds have access to opportunities in the engineering sector.

Refocus Funding for Engineering

The third recommendation is to refocus funding, enabling employers to provide more in-depth apprenticeships in the engineering sector. This is good news for businesses looking to nurture young talent, as it will provide funding to support apprenticeship schemes, ensuring that more young people have access to high-quality engineering apprenticeships.

Encourage SMEs to Take On Apprentices

The fourth recommendation is to enable more Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to play an active role in apprenticeships. This is significant as it will open up new opportunities for smaller businesses to participate in the apprenticeship scheme, thereby making apprenticeships more accessible to more young people.

Employer-Developed Apprenticeship Programs

The fifth recommendation is to encourage employers to grow and sustain their apprenticeship schemes for the future. This policy is particularly beneficial as it emphasises the need for businesses to have sustainable apprenticeship schemes that can benefit both businesses and the wider industry in the long run. We can personally vouch for the success of this final recommendation, as it is an area we have already been pursuing for years.

European Springs Supporting STEM Apprentices

Through our apprenticeship program, we are investing in the future of compression spring manufacturers like ourselves. We are nurturing talent and building a strong foundation for the manufacturing industry. Our apprenticeship opportunities combine hands-on training, career progression opportunities, and the chance to contribute to STEM innovation.

With our supportive apprenticeships, we continue to address the skills gap issue, ensuring that the sector has the skills and talent it needs and securing the future of manufacturing as a whole. By providing young people with access to high-quality apprenticeships, we look forward to a future where more young people are contributing to the success of the engineering sector. Contact us today to see if we can help you start your profitable career in engineering.

Staying connected to the latest manufacturing news, industry trends, and upcoming initiatives is crucial for everyone involved in the sector. Whether you’re a manufacturing business owner, you’ve just started an apprenticeship, or you’re connected to the industry in another way, staying informed is important. This has been especially vital in recent years as the sector has digitally transformed, shifted due to the pandemic, and made waves toward net-zero.

So, at European Springs, we’re here to help. Today, we’re providing a round-up of the latest manufacturing industry developments. From supply chain news to the sector’s downturn, here you’ll find everything you need to know to stay connected.

Rail-Guided Vehicles (RGVs) in EV Battery Manufacturing

A Chinese vehicle manufacturer recently invested in upgrading its battery pack production operations by using rail-guarded vehicles (RGV) trolleys to automate battery cell handling. Although using RGVs in EV battery manufacturing can improve efficiency and productivity, the company found that it also comes with a long list of issues.

For example, the high-density layout of production lines and the presence of steel structures and high-powered electrical devices created significant electromagnetic interference. This meant it required a robust Wi-Fi network to ensure reliable communication between the scheduling system, RGV control system, and handheld tablets.

While the technology is there, this example highlighted that there’s still a lot of work to be done regarding the physical infrastructure before this can be considered for industry standard.

An Update on the Industry’s Downturn

The UK manufacturing industry continues to experience a downturn as output and new orders show some of the steepest contraction rates since the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 or the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the latest IHS Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), August’s figure of 43 is the lowest since May 2020. The economic background was weakened by a range of factors, including:

Rising interest rates
The cost-of-living crisis
Export losses
Market outlook concerns

As a result, manufacturing production volumes dropped for the sixth consecutive month, with staffing levels declining for the eleventh. Although input costs are now declining, policymakers’ concern about the economy’s health is growing, with the sector remaining in contraction.

These challenges highlight the need for manufacturers to implement proactive strategies, and as spring manufacturers, we’re committed to facing these challenges. This means remaining proactive and adaptable in navigating these challenging market conditions. By staying informed about industry trends, seeking innovative solutions, and maintaining production efficiency, manufacturers like ourselves can mitigate the impact of external factors and position themselves for future growth and success.

How Is On-Demand Manufacturing Impacting UK Supply Chains?

The rise of on-demand manufacturing is a significant development transforming UK supply chains in the manufacturing industry. In recent years, disruptions in the UK supply chain have posed numerous challenges, specifically in sourcing components. On-demand manufacturing is a game changer, leveraging cloud-enabled systems and a network-based model to allow engineers to upload models, receive design-for-manufacturing feedback, and get instant quotes from a network of trusted suppliers, saving time and increasing efficiency.

This approach offers many benefits, including supporting local and global manufacturers, thus boosting innovation across the engineering industry. It also enables customisation, making manufacturing accessible to corporations and individuals alike.

Overall, on-demand manufacturing is transforming the industry by revolutionising crucial supply chains, increasing efficiency, and making manufacturing more accessible, which is exactly what the sector needs to continue to thrive.

Net-Zero: Will We See Success?

Achieving a net-zero carbon emissions target is crucial for a sustainable future, and we’ve committed to playing a leading role in this global effort by establishing our sustainable solutions. In recent news, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has called for economies to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 or, at the very least, halve emissions by 2030. The manufacturing industry, responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, holds immense potential in reaching this target.

To ensure success on the path to net-zero, taking action on sustainability is essential. Even small actions can have a positive impact and drive innovation. At European Springs, our roadmap to net-zero incorporates various key aspects, such as:

Sustainable and greener product design
Improving production line efficiency
Addressing workforce requirements and skills

By following this roadmap, manufacturers like ourselves can contribute substantially to a more sustainable future while gaining a competitive advantage.

Why Should I Stay Connected to the Manufacturing Industry’s Latest News?

Remaining connected to the latest news in the manufacturing industry is critical for professionals seeking to stay informed and competitive. However, it’s also crucial for those just getting started in the industry, such as those on apprenticeship schemes. Here are some compelling reasons why you should stay engaged with the latest industry developments no matter what stage your career is at:

Stay up-to-date on the latest innovations and technological advancements as they rapidly change in this digital landscape.
Identify new opportunities to improve manufacturing processes and increase efficiency within your business.
Gain insight into global market trends and regulatory changes that could impact your business.
Keep track of industry awards and recognitions, which can inform decisions regarding suppliers or partners.
Access expert opinions and commentary from industry thought leaders on key industry topics and challenges.
Network and connect with other professionals in the field through industry events and publications.
Ensure that your organisation remains competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving industry.

As mentioned, at European Springs, we pride ourselves on staying in tune with the latest industry developments and using our expertise to deliver cutting-edge product solutions to our customers. You can stay connected to the latest news by checking out our blog.