The first spring at what is now one of the UK’s leading suppliers of springs and pressings came off the production line 70 years ago last month.

Established in 1948 on a small site in south London, European Springs & Pressings (www.europeansprings.com) has grown into a multi-million-pound organisation with factories, logistics centres and sales offices in London, Cornwall and Huddersfield.

The company specialises in stamping, coiling, multi-slide, heavy coiling, high-speed stamping and assembly, as well as both high- and low-volume production.

Whereas it could produce 30 components an hour 70 years ago, it can now produce 3 million components an hour, thanks to the technologies at its disposal.

Stuart McSheehy, managing director of the company’s London factory (in Beckenham), said: “Investment in advances in technology, automation, AI, CNC machines and cloud data has seen the face of manufacturing change so much in just the past few years.

“Looking back over the past 70 years, the factory floor has been transformed from oily and noisy to glossy and cleaner, with efficient technologies.

“The face of manufacturing springs and pressings might have changed, but our dedication to engineering solutions with a very personal service to achieve the very best quality hasn’t.”

Being acquired by the Lesjofors Group in 2007 has seen European Springs & Pressings reach new international markets and achieve exceptional results, with its turnover in Cornwall increasing by 700% over the last decade.

Mr McSheehy said: “Our employment figures saw a 40% increase in staff in the last year, and we’re always on the look-out for skilled people. A number of our staff started here as apprentices, and our apprenticeship scheme continues to thrive today.”