Exhibition season will soon be in full flow and European Springs & Pressings will be flying their flag across a number of UK exhibitions this year.
Reaching audiences across a large number of sectors including agriculture, rail, electronics, mining, construction, lighting, power generation and medical technology, to name a few, European Springs & Pressings are on exhibition across the UK throughout the year.
Stuart McSheehy, Managing Director says: “We are quite unique to other UK spring makers in that we cover a whole variety of disciplines. Manufacturing tension, torsion and compression springs with diameters from 0.03mm to 65mm, pressings and multi-slides up to 130 tonnes and by having an unlimited design spectrum of wire forms, places us in a prominent position. With the stamping, coiling, multi-slide, heavy coiling, high speed stamping and assembly facilities, as well as both high and low volume production capabilities, we have a lot to be proud of, to market and shout about.
“Serving clients from across the pharmaceutical to heavy plant and equipment sector to major blue-chips to specialist niche companies, we’re active across numerous sectors and where better than to communicate our diversity than across a wide reach of exhibitions targeted at the sectors we specialise in, showcasing European Springs & Pressings as innovative, lean manufacturers with exceptional engineering expertise in the spring coiling, wire forming and pressing industries.”
European Springs & Pressings upcoming exhibitions include:
29-30 Jan, National Manufacturing & Supply Chain conference & exhibition, Dublin, Stand F04
11-13 Feb, Southern Manufacturing Show, Farnborough. Stand A135
McSheehy concludes: “These exhibitions will enhance European Springs & Pressings provenance, open up new opportunities, enable us to introduce our newly expanded sales team and add value to the sector through our quality tailored service.
“Come along and meet the team, discover our product range and explore what European Springs & Pressings can do for you.”
2020 is just around the corner, so we thought now would be the perfect opportunity to wish all of our clients a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We hope to see you in the New Year, and can’t wait to support you in your upcoming projects.
It has been an exceptionally busy year for all of us here at European Springs & Pressings Ireland, with the manufacturing industry as a whole experiencing some tough times throughout 2019. Our team have pulled together to ensure that our customers have continued to experience the same high levels of service they have become accustom to over the years.
If you require a spring manufacturer in the New Year, then you should certainly consider getting in touch with the team here at European Springs & Pressings Ireland. With over 70 years’ experience in the industry, our team have the experience and expertise to ensure you receive the perfect products for your next project.
The UK has enjoyed a fantastic year in 2019; HMRC have reported that our goods exports have been breaking records and reaching highs of £639bn. In this article, we’re going to be taking a closer look at what this means for the future of UK exports and our predictions for manufacturing in 2020.
Largest Areas of Growth
One of the largest areas of growth occurred in Scotland in the second quarter, where profits on goods exports grew by 14.5% to an astonishing £34bn. It is thought that China played a massive part in this growth because their demand for Scottish goods increased by 213.8%, according to Business Leader.
Within England specifically, the main regions to experience growth were London and the East Midlands, with growth of 10.1% and 9.3% to profits respectively. Brexit has had a massive impact on the landscape of British goods exports and HMRC has reported that since the vote in July 2016, exports from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have increased significantly. It is suspected that Brexit has opened British business to international trade across the globe.
How the UK Compares
Compared to the rest of the EU, the UK has so far exhibited faster growth in exports than the overall rate for the European Union (at 11.9%), according to OECD data released earlier this year. For greater understanding of the depth of this success, we have broken down some of the stats from other key players in the EU below:
Export Growth 2018/19
UK – 13.8%
Italy – 11.4%
Germany – 10.5%
France 10.1%
Not only is the UK doing well statistically, the Secretary of State for International Trade has also voiced their confidence for our future:
‘My international economic department is confident British businesses will continue to excel as we leave the EU and will offer its full support to businesses with the same ambition.’
Brexit means a lot of different things to many people, but some of the most important features have been mass confusion and fears of financial insecurity. While we can’t promise that the confusion will come to an end any time soon, it certainly seems that the financial security of businesses exporting worldwide is unlikely to be compromised by the outcome of the vote.
The Effects of Britain’s Success
Our nation’s fantastic success has been a great boon for our country’s immediate development, but it also bodes well for the future, too. Success encourages trust from other nations, and our success has led to an increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with UK inwards investment stock increasing by an entire 5% (gov.uk).
Looking Towards 2020
Overall, we might hope to see continued growth for our country across 2020, and that our nation would continue to eclipse our competitors in our export trades. However, various sources suspect the verity of this forecast.
The Guardian, for example, states the deal will determine Britain’s future on the global market, with a no-deal Brexit set to ‘slice almost 3% from the UK economic growth over the next three years.’. The OECD, who collected the majority of data used in this article, have speculated that Britain will be hit hard if Brexit truly occurs on October 31st, as the lack of access to markets in the EU will likely cause the UK to drop into a recession next year, causing further damage to the Great British Pound.
The declining value of the pound should also be weighed against the perceived growth in UK exports, because while the figures themselves may be rising to never before seen heights, this may mean less when one considers the worth of the fatigued British pound. For example, while the UK’s export growth across 2018/2019 this year has grown by 13.8%, The Guardian estimated last month that since Brexit began the pound has lost 20% of its value.
Securing a deal with Brexit is vital to ensuring that the pound remains strong, thereby securing more meaningful growth for our UK goods export industries. It is vital that business and countries maintain and continue conversation on the topic to ensure that we make meaningful change with Brexit that will encourage long term growth for our nation, rather than change simply for the sake of change.
European Springs and 2020
Throughout this period of economic victory in UK exports and into the uncertain future fogged by Brexit, European Springs are proud to continue to thrive in trying times. As one of the UK’s leading spring manufacturers, we have continued to invest in our company’s future, by purchasing some state of the art machinery which will help to ensure our processes are further streamlined.
The team at European Springs understand just how important communication will be to securing the best future for Britain in the coming months, and we certainly hope to keep you updated on the latest news from our industry and business in the near future.
The manufacturing industry is full of fast-paced work with plenty of progression opportunities; if you know how to work hard and focus. In this article, we are going to discuss the variety of jobs you could be earning within our sector, along with some useful tips about the best routes to achieve the career of your dreams.
Careers in the Manufacturing Sector
There are plenty of opportunities in manufacturing, though if you are looking to begin a life-long career in manufacturing, it might be important for you to work towards a job that isn’t in any danger of becoming replaced by a machine. This means that if you’re prepared to work hard, you should aim for high-skilled jobs – these are also the jobs which are going to earn you the most money, so they are a worthy goal for your time.
If you know someone who is young, still in education and interested in manufacturing, then you should encourage them to research a variety of jobs in the industry – different career paths can have vastly different educational requirements. In this blog, we will cover some roles and the kinds of qualifications needed to secure the role – this should give you some idea of how long it will take you to gather the skills before you can successfully achieve your dream job.
Before we get into the logistics of achieving your dream job in manufacturing, we need to consider the variety of roles that you can choose from:
Assembly
The assembly workers in manufacturing build products from finished pieces. This may include working with your hands, tools and machines – often with training once you have the role. You will generally be expected to have high school certificates for most roles in this group.
Examples
Assembler
Expediter
Material Handler
Tool and Die Maker
Warehouse Worker
Brazers and Welders
These roles require some precise technical education. Their job is generally to cut and/or join any metallic parts used in the product. You can attain these skills through high school, vocational schools, community colleges or a mix. You may also be able to find local training courses suited to your needs.
A welder’s work is all in the detail; you need to be careful when using highly dangerous equipment, and the expensive materials you’ll be using to make the product means you’ll need to keep mistakes to a minimum. You’ll need to learn to use the equipment, as well as reading blueprints and diagrams if you want to secure one of these positions for yourself.
Examples
Brazer
Welder
Solderer
Cutter
Machinists and Operators
We previously mentioned tool and die makers in the Assembly group, but sometimes, they may fall under the category of machinists and operators. This is one example of how some of these roles may cross some of the boundaries we use to generalise these roles for description.
A machinist or operator will be required to set up, maintain, and operate integral machinery. To attain one of the following positions, you will probably need on-site training or an apprenticeship, vocational school, or technical college qualification. Some roles may require further qualifications, so research the potential thoroughly.
Examples
Design Engineer
Field Service Technician
Aircraft Mechanic
Safety Technician
Waste Treatment Plant Operator
Production Manager
Working in management is where you are most likely to find the highest wages, but you will also have to stay in education for much longer if you want to improve your chances of getting into a managerial position. Most managers in manufacturing have at least a bachelor’s degree in business or industrial engineering.
Production managers are expected to ensure that general operations run smoothly and to find areas where processors could be managed with greater efficiency. They ensure that production stays on schedule as well as overseeing the hiring process for other workers.
Examples
Assembly Supervisor
Master Scheduler
General Manager
Product Marketing Analyst
Warehouse Manager
As spring suppliers, we are invested in the future of the manufacturing industry. We think that it’s never too late to start a bountiful career in manufacturing if you have the resolve to get there, so start now by enrolling in a local skills course or by attaining work experience with your local manufacturer.
Whatever the results are, emotions are sure to be running high. Whether you’re reading this for yourself, your friend, a sibling or a child, we’re here to help you understand why choosing a STEM subject to take to college could change lives for the better. In this article, we take a look at what you should expect during results day and what you should be thinking about next.
Keeping Calm on GCSE Results Day
For all young adults and teenagers out there about to receive their GCSEs, we know that keeping calm is the last thing on your mind. You’re busy thinking about all the hard work you have put into your education over the past few years, and, most importantly, whether it has been enough.
We recognise the sacrifices you’ve made, giving up your free time, again and again, to thoroughly complete your homework, working hard to make sure you really understand the concepts that you’ll need to take with you into the exam, we understand that these aren’t just certificates and awards to you.
However, once you have taken your exams, there is little that can be done to change the outcome. What is important for you now is to keep researching what routes are open to you based on your passions and skills.
The chances are that you can guess what grades you should be expecting based on your performance in mock papers, but if you’re even slightly worried, it can help to explore your options. It’s important to remember that you aren’t going to be boxed in by your results; there are multiple routes to achieving the career of your dreams, and not everyone needs to go to university.
At GCSE, however, you might still be trying to figure what ‘the career of your dreams’ really means to you. If there are lots of subjects that you enjoy, for example, trying to reduce those subjects to three or four that you’ll take with you to A-Levels can feel like an impossible task. Whether you should prioritise your grades in a subject over your enjoyment of it isn’t a question that we can answer for you, but we can tell you about all the reasons why you should consider pursuing a STEM career.
What is STEM?
The acronym ‘STEM’ stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These academic disciplines are grouped because they share similar ways of working and learning, often heavily relying on mathematical formulae and sharing some theories and knowledge between the subjects within them.
The UK is currently suffering from a shortage of skilled workers in STEM careers; this means that you could be looking at earning a lot of money if you were to pursue an education in STEM. We rely on STEM learners to construct buildings, solve diseases and innovate technology; those working in STEM elevate humanity through their creations and hard work.
If you want to pursue STEM, you need to have an aptitude or a passion for basic maths and science, preferably both. If you’re pursuing STEM because you want to earn a high wage, then (like any career) you will have to learn to achieve focus and to work hard.
My Future with STEM
When you study maths and science, there are plenty of opportunities available to you. Your future with STEM doesn’t necessarily require you to have high grades, though your grades may determine which area of STEM you start with.
If you are a high-achieving student, then you are unlikely to have jobs and apprenticeships on your mind at first. Many high-achieving students in the UK go to university, and while this is the right decision for many students looking to improve their knowledge and connections in their field, you may be better served by taking an apprenticeship or work experience.
Unlike a degree, an apprenticeship will focus on perfecting those practical skills that working environments want to see on your future CV. Similarly, you can get paid during an apprenticeship, which makes it a more financially attractive prospect than university.
If you have average grades and good determination, then you may be considering the pros and cons of pursuing college and university versus starting your career. You may find academic learning more difficult than your peers, so a hands-on apprenticeship might be better for your progression. If you aren’t sure yet, the best course of action for you now is to receive your results, enrol in a college with your preferred STEM subjects and give it your best shot. How you feel during the end of your course should give you the information you need to know whether you’ll want to pursue academic STEM or start your work experience.
If your grades are low, but you have a strong work ethic, then you can work hard to elevate your grades during college or start considering your aptitudes for hands-on learning in work experience and apprenticeship courses. Consider taking extra-curricular activities and courses to bolster your skills set for future employers if you’re struggling with the academic rigour of school-learning.
Remember that not all pupils are well-represented by the GCSE examination system, your grades, successes or failures won’t define you as a person. What you need to do now is think carefully about the options available to you and where you would like to be in two-to-five years. We’ve had plenty of apprentices pass through our doors, trying to gain a solid understanding of what is expected from spring manufacturers in the UK.
News travels fast, and with the speedy advancement of technology, there is always a lot to talk about in the manufacturing sector. In this article, we summarise some of the biggest news to come out of our industry for the first half of 2019.
MANUFACTURING HISTORY AND BIG BEN – FEBRUARY
With the UK manufacturing industry changing on a daily basis as Britain is stuck in Brexit limbo, some of history’s most positive success stories can provide those who work in the sector with much-needed hope. In the manufacturing industry, national success stories such as the history of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry are important, but in the first quarter of 2019, we were presented with the loss of this great foundry.
The national treasure that is Big Ben was crafted in a historic foundry called the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 1570. The foundry has cast and forged several legendary products, but while those products remain in use, the building that shaped them is soon to be lost.
Purchased by an American developer, the original site of Big Ben’s manufacturing is to be transformed into a boutique hotel. The United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust hit back with an offer to attempt to re-instate the foundry as a working site, claiming that the foundry was of national interest and enriched the cultural presence of Whitechapel.
Should the American developers win the site, 90% of the original bell business will be lost.
FORD CLOSING IN BRIDGEND – JUNE
The story surrounding Whitechapel Foundry is far from being new or isolated, unfortunately, as Bridgend in Wales looks to see the loss of 1,700 jobs in 2020. Car manufacturer, Ford, is closing down its engine plant there which will see considerable changes in the town’s production. Ford claims to be offering employees redeployment, but this will require staff to relocate.
BREXIT CONTRACTIONS – MAY
Brexit has haunted both quarters of 2019 so far as further postponement has seen manufacturing figures jump up for the short-term as a result of stockpiling, followed by deep falls as manufacturers run on their stockpiled goods. Of serious note, is that the UK industry has suffered from a contraction in May for the first time since July 2016, which was thought to have been spurred by the EU referendum.
The stockpiling means that manufacturers are finding it difficult to win new sales in recent months, and some believe that this could continue to worsen in the upcoming months. Duncan Brock, director at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, stated that:
“A slowdown in the global economy, and trade wars hotting up could tip the scales even further next month and increase the likelihood that the UK manufacturing sector will remain in contraction territory”.
This could mean that manufacturing sectors will need to brace themselves as best they can for the months ahead, as we continue to discover the latest Brexit ramifications.
3D PRINTING – ONGOING
Innovation and improvements to the technology and automation used in manufacturing are not all bad and is, in fact, freeing up more jobs in skilled and highly paid areas like maintenance, programming and robot creation. 3D printing is one such improvement in our sector that is changing the way many company’s produce parts.
In low volume manufacturing, it is thought the 3D printing revolution will impact companies by improving their ability to produce short-run parts productions. This means that developers will be able to create, trial and launch new products with greater speed and efficiency.
This ability to test parts on an economic scale also means that we should see improvements to the quality of finished products in the long run too, which can be extremely beneficial for high volume manufacturers.
GROWTH IN UK AND NORTHERN IRELAND – JUNE
Although our nation is currently suffering from short-term contractions, Northern Ireland is seeing a positive year-on-year increase of 2.7%. It is thought that this number is at least partially affected by Brexit, with many companies pushing for maximising output pre-Brexit. For example, the pharmaceuticals and chemicals sector spiked 11% in comparison to the same month in 2018, leading experts to believe that these spikes are only temporary and Brexit-based.
Overall, the start to the year has mostly been fuelled by Brexit, which will undoubtedly continue to affect manufacturing until a conclusion is reached, and even then, we could see some fluctuations for a while following. For more information on Brexit, and how manufacturing fared in 2018, we recommend visiting our article, European Springs’ Take on the Annual Manufacturing Report 2019. In the meantime, we are a spring manufacturers business in the UK that is dedicated to trying to provide stability and communication in turbulent times, so get in touch for more information regarding our products.
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