Spring manufacture is rarely glamorous. However, all that changed when European Springs and Pressings were invited to design a bottle top for probably the most beautiful gin in the world.
Tinkture, a new drink manufacturer focused on delivering a purer, clean element to beverages, approached the Redruth company to create a signature bottle top like no other. The family firm, led by Hannah and Sam Lamiroy, developed a world first using the finest organic roses to create a rose gin which is now gracing the bars of some of the most exclusive drink establishments across the UK.
Director, Hannah Lamiroy explains: “For a long time I’ve been really conscious of the food I eat, the ingredients I cook with and the best way to keep my body healthy – however I never really paid much attention to the provenance of my drinks on a night out. Until a couple of years ago. Once I really started looking for answers I just could not find what I was looking for, so my experiments began.”
Tinkture is the result, a personal journey into the drinks that should always have been. The finest alcohol, organic ingredients, nothing nasty, amazing flavours and all distilled by hand in copper pot stills at their distillery on the Cornish coast.
“We knew we had an incredible product and to complete this new approach to drink manufacture, wanted to ensure the packaging achieved exceptional results too and that’s when we discovered the team at European Springs & Pressings. They understood exactly what we were looking for, were dedicated to achieving everything we wanted and wonderfully, have produced a stunning bottle top that embodies our uniqueness.”
Michael Gibbs, Managing Director of European Springs & Pressings says: “Working with innovators like Tinkture is everything we love about engineering and manufacturing. To be part of their passion, to be part of a family so focused on achieving exceptional results, helping bring to market a new way of thinking about how we drink, has been a true privilege. Our bottle top design seals an extraordinary journey that simply gets every element right from the clean, organic contents to the processing, right through to the reusable packaging, environmental refills and of course, the taste! Tinkture and their rose gin really is something very special – I drink nothing else now.”
Every day we encounter springs, even though we may not realise it immediately. These springy mechanisms and wire forms are used in everyday objects (and some more unusual objects) and have you surrounded more than you may think. In fact, there’s probably a spring in your sight right now!
From the watch you wear to the bike you cycle and the car you drive, even down to the pen you use; springs are everywhere, and we rely on them to power ordinary and extraordinary items.
As bespoke spring manufacturers, we have had the opportunity to work on countless exciting projects that have allowed us to see springs and wire forms in some commonplace and unusual applications – here are just a few of them.
Art: The Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show
Springs and wire forms have plenty of practical uses, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be used to create something beautiful. In fact, we have been involved in a number of artistic projects in which we were approached to create something that would become part of the art itself.
One project took us to the Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show at Chatsworth House when sculptor, Andrew Lee approached us to help him to complete his projects, ‘Shoal’ and ‘Flow’. We created helped him to create these installations which gave a modern twist on a traditional event.
We have not only helped to bring projects to fruition that see springs at the forefront of art and architecture, we have also seen them in some rather unusual settings, such as the National Theatre.
We were approached by Simon Allen, the instrument maker and sonic bricolage for the National Theatre’s production of Macbeth. The project involved the production of large tension and compression springs which would be used to create music by striking, bowing and scraping them.
Of course, we were more than happy to oblige and created these springs for this new and innovative purpose.
Our springs and wire forms have even been used to create innovative solutions in bird feeders. Green&Blue is a company that creates accessories for the garden with a focus on sustainability and the environment.
This project involved creating wire forms that could be used to create stylish yet effective bird feeders. We were able to contribute to two of the feeders, providing designs that reflected the values of the company as well as serving an important purpose.
From one exciting project to another. This time, we were working with one of the best-known brands in fashion. We were approached by Nike to create an exciting display at their Oxford Street store in London.
We created large pink compression springs which were then used as displays for Nike trainers in the store, not only putting the trainers on display, but the springs as well!
We have also had the pleasure of working with other well-known brands, including the luxury retailer, Liberty London. Similar to the project with Nike, this involved creating springs to be used in a display, showing off the products in the shop window.
We created 80 bespoke springs and wire forms which were used to display a selection of Liberty products, keeping the stylish nature of Liberty in mind throughout the design and production process. We also created wire frames which were used as light fixtures and adorned with yarn, illuminating the haberdashery section of their luxury department store.
At European Springs, we have had the fantastic opportunity to be a part of these exciting projects. It goes to show just how incredibly versatile springs and wire forms can be!
We would love to discuss your latest project with you – as you can see, we have plenty of experience in creating bespoke solutions for a huge variety of clients and industries. You can get in touch with a member of our team by calling 0208 663 1800 or by emailing us at info.bec@europeansprings.com and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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Check out our springs displaying the latest in trainer trends from this iconic sporting brand, Nike, in the Oxford Street store in London.
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2018 is rearing its head, and the engineering industry is already looking to the expected trends the New Year will bring. Tension springs look set to play a key role in some of the big engineering movements of 2018, as the age-old mechanical component continues its efficacy in line with hi-tech innovations.
Tension springs are metal coils wound tightly to operate with varying levels of tension. They are designed to stretch to a predetermined length when a load or force is applied to them. This is usually used to ensure the components that stretch the springs will always return to their original position.
Automation and Robotics
With the fourth industrial revolution taking place as we speak, new advances in technology are driving unprecedented demand for engineers, technicians and technologists in numerous industries. One industry that is expected to continue trending in 2018, and which demands the input of tension spring designers and manufacturers, is the automation and robotics industry.
There is widespread adoption of plant automation systems and robotics that is set to continue impacting productivity in the foreseeable future. Springs are a fundamental component of robotic movement, contributing essential tension and compression for smooth, human-like mobility.
Every single component of a robotic device is vital for it to function in the way it is supposed to, so the quality of tension springs must be fit for purpose. Manufacturers of quality tension springs are sure to see demand from the robotics industry in 2018.
Digital Manufacturing Outlets
Another prominent expectation for engineering in 2018 is the growth of digital manufacturing outlets like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The demand for solutions and services in the online space looks set to continue growing, and suppliers of components and tech are an important part of the chain.
With increasing use of this type of manufacturing for automobile parts, tools and medical devices, the demand for quality tension springs from the supply chain will keep spring engineers and manufacturers busy in the foreseeable future.
Collaboration with Manufacturers and Suppliers
Open innovation is expected to proliferate further in 2018, as modern research practices continue to promote collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers, underwriters, engineering services firms, consultants and freelance engineers. These collaborative projects promote innovation and ingenuity, and the role of tension springs is sure to escalate as many of the more cutting-edge technologies rely on them for essential mechanical functions.
The engineering industry is going through one of its most exciting transitional phases of all time. Trailblazers in invention, electronics, computing, robotics, and general technological research are driving this industrial revolution, and the demand for skilled engineers is soaring year upon year. 2018 looks set to see engineering lead the way in the continuing march into the future of the digital age, so anyone involved in the industry has plenty to be excited about.
A New Place for Tension Springs?
With all the technological advances in the modern age, there is still no better mechanical component for certain jobs than the humble and reliable spring. Tension springs are finding new places with each move forward in engineering, and they are sure to play a huge role in the engineering trends of the new year.
European Springs are leading experts in spring manufacturing and high-speed press technology. We have over 50 years of experience, proving that we have the knowledge and expertise to provide the highest quality tension springs to all our customers.
Green&Blue, the UK’s most desired garden accessory design company, has been working alongside Cornwall’s European Springs & Pressings on a number of birdfeeder products that have seen the environmentally focused company grow by 150% in the last few years.
Innovatively designed and aesthetically stunning, the beautiful birdfeeders hang from gardens across UK and Europe, with multiple high-end stores, such as the prestigious Conran shop, stocking the product.
Gavin Christman, Green&Blue’s co-founder says: “We have worked with the team at European Springs & Pressings on innovative products like the Wireframe Birdfeeders and the Birdball Belle feeders – one of the best-selling products from the range. We really value our relationship with them as they’ve helped with product development, have always been a reliable supplier and we’ve been really grateful for the mentoring support they’ve given.”
In the last four years, Green&Blue has seen a turnover growth of 150% and are forecast to grow further over the next three years as they roll out a UK wide campaign with the Bee Brick. An exciting new innovation, created to be used as a standalone solitary bee hotel in the garden or in place of a standard brick in construction, creating more habitat for non-swarming solitary bees.
Christman confirms: “Our ambition is for councils UK wide to adopt the bee brick in all new construction sites. Using one brick in every build will make a real change to the declining habitat for solitary bees and subsequently build back up the population of this much-needed species which benefits our own food supply and economy.
Pete Bodilly, Operations Manager at the Cornwall site of European Springs & Pressings concludes: “Playing an integral part of Green&Blue’s growth has been an honour. Clearly ambitious, we admire their continual commitment to improve our environment and to know our wire forms, springs and support forms a small part of their success is enormously satisfying.”
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“We knew we had an incredible product and to complete this new approach to drink manufacture, wanted to ensure the packaging achieved exceptional results too and that’s when we discovered the team at European Springs & Pressings. They understood exactly what we were looking for, were dedicated to achieving everything we wanted and wonderfully, have produced a stunning bottle top that embodies our uniqueness.”
