Spring company celebrates a decade as sole supplier

In today's competitive markets, being a sole supplier to a global manufacturing company is a well-earned accolade. This sole supplier relationship has evolved based on a combination of competitive costs, excellent product quality, and outstanding customer service and support, the company suggests. The springs supplied to Eaton are mainly compression springs used in the production of cartridge valves/integrated circuits controlling motion and load. Areas of application include automotive and construction with companies such as Volvo and JCB. The springs range in size from 0.15mm up to 8mm wire diameter in cold drawn carbon springs steels, oil tempered and stainless steel wire. As well as being an established supplier of springs, William Hughes helps with the design and engineering of springs for new applications. For example, Eaton's engineers will provide William Hughes with a specification for a new spring. Using their extensive knowledge and experience, William Hughes' engineers select the best materials, tolerances and processes to provide the most efficient and cost effective solution. In many instances, prototype samples are manufactured for evaluation and when the design is finalised samples are submitted to Eaton's pre-production approval process. The associated documentation would verify the design and demonstrate how product quality would be maintained. When Eaton has formally approved the product and procedures, bulk supply can be authorised. The spring maker specialises in solving problems for its customers using the design and engineering facilities available at its Stalbridge, Dorset factory. Techniques such as simultaneous engineering are regularly employed and involving its engineering team at an early stage leads to economies in production, as well as fast prototyping and early functional testing.