Innovative new automation system for a modern 70 year-old

Taking the stress out of pre-stressing, Lesjöfors´ UK company European Springs & Pressings have invested in a unique invention, with the design of an automated pre-stressing machine. Another important chapter in the company’s success story of 70 years in the spring business.

Cornwall, UK – Working alongside Design & Automation Solutions and Bosch Rexroth, ESP have seen their conceptual plans taken from the drawing board, designed and delivered, with a new automated pre-stresser (which improves the life and load bearing capacity of a spring), reducing waste across multiple processes.

Lean manufacturing key success factor

Michael Gibbs, Managing Director of ESP in Cornwall says: “In the last decade, since we were acquired by the Lesjofors Group, we have seen turnover increase by over 700%, which has recently led to the acquisition of a second factory in Cornwall and a 40% increase in recruitment in the last year. Lean manufacturing has been key to our success and enhanced automation not only increases our efficiencies in operations and production but also on the budget sheet, as we estimate a pay-back period within just 5 years.”

Strong growth in the automotive sector

Mick Stallwood, Director of Design & Automation Solutions adds: “Our specialisms, in advancing technologies and automation, have been utilised world-wide and to design a world first for one of the world’s leading spring manufacturers, is something we’re very proud of.”

Gibbs concludes: “The automotive sector of our business has grown exponentially, hence the recent purchase of an additional factory. With significant investment in new spring coiling machines, a new powder coating line and other ongoing investment intentions, further adding to our Industry 4.0 capable manufacturing technology, I have great confidence in our manufacturing future.”

ESP celebrates 70th anniversary

This autumn, ESP celebrates 70 years in the business. Established in 1948 on a small site in south London, European Springs & Pressings has grown into a multi-million pound organisation with factories, logistic centres and sales offices across the UK. Serving clients from across aerospace to the agricultural sector, lighting to medical, power generation to electronics, construction to automotive and everything in between, customers from major blue-chips right down to specialist niche companies, European Springs & Pressings is quite unique to other UK spring makers in that it covers a whole variety of disciplines.

Manufacturing tension springstorsion springs and compression springs with diameters from 0.03mm to 65mm, they also have pressings and multi-slides up to 130 tonnes and have an unlimited design spectrum of wire forms.  

The Lesjöfors Group congratulates to the enormous success & look forward to more years to come!

Lesjöfors AB