Pictured above: (l-r) Martin McKeever (MAS-WM), Dr Sayah Saied (Aston University) and Simon Kite (Springpart)

A specialist manufacturer from Redditch is celebrating its 35th birthday by pioneering a new solution to producing springs for the pharmaceutical industry.

Springpart, which employs 41 people at its Washford Industrial Estate, has teamed up with the Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands (MAS-WM) and Midlands Surface Analysis (MSA) to develop a new process for producing more corrosion resistant springs that can pass recently introduced industry tests. 

The breakthrough was the result of rigorous analysis and the installation of a new cleaning and finishing line, with the investment already paying off with £400,000 of contracts re-secured and a further 90,000,000 springs ordered this year.

Simon Kite, Director of Customer Service, picked up the story: "One of our key areas of activity is providing high quality stainless steel springs for the pharmaceutical industry for use in nasal sprays and asthma inhalers for example.

"About a year ago, a leading European company introduced new rigorous tests to overcome rusting problems found across the sector and, in order to remain at the forefront of supply, we decided to embrace the change and look at new ways of making our springs more corrosion resistant."

He continued: "We were already in contact with MAS-WM on a waste reduction programme and when they heard about what we were up to they put us in touch with Midlands Surface Analysis at Aston University which has been a tremendous benefit.

"Using state-of-the-art equipment we were able to identify and isolate many surface problems whilst highlighting several areas in the process that had not been considered a factor previously."

Boosted by this expert assistance, Springpart developed a new manufacturing process that produces springs that pass the industry test and has subsequently secured an even greater share of the existing customer's work, not to mention the possibility of supplying new clients.

It marks what will be an eventful 35th year in business for the company, with its growing reputation for exacting standards seeing its springs used in household products such as Lynx deodorants, Mr Muscle window cleaner, Vicks nasal sprays and kandoo hand washes. 

While this year has seen sales vary from month to month, the increase in work in the pharmaceutical marketplace will see the company's turnover rise to £4.5m with the possibility of new jobs shortly.

"75% of our work is shipped overseas to customers in Europe, the US, South America, South Africa and China and our unrivalled experience also sees us produce a number of specialised springs for the automotive sector and for use in quality ball point pens, such as Parker and Mont Blanc," continued Simon.

"Our 35th birthday could not have taken place in a more tumultuous year, but it has been one where we have evolved with industry requirements and are now in an excellent position to build on anticipated strong growth in the pharmaceutical sector."

MAS-WM's Martin McKeever has been instrumental in forging the relationship between Springpart and MSA.

"This is a great example of a specialist body working with a company to solve a real business issue and the management team must be congratulated for the way they have opened up their operations and looked at the processes they employ.

"In addition to the work on developing the new springs, we have also been able to work with Springpart on saving it £150,000 in scrap reduction."

Established in 2002, MAS-WM has assisted over 6000 companies to improve their products, productivity, processes and people.

This support has created over £60.4m of new added value and over £250m to the turnovers of firms that have embarked upon in-depth business improvement projects. 

It is currently helping companies survive the economic downturn and prepare for the upturn by improving their ability to compete in advanced manufacturing markets, finding medium to long-term opportunities and encouraging new product innovation and development.

In 2009, MAS-WM has helped safeguard in excess of 720 jobs through specialist support that ranges from the helpdesk and supply chain improvement to sourcing programmes and strategic change projects.