G&O Springs - setting the standard for SME Digital Adoption

G&O Springs started life in a terraced house back in 1973 and has since grown into a 13,000 sq ft facility. Today, they produce a wide range of high-performance springs, from lightweight titanium to tough carbon steel, supplying leading names like Rolls-Royce and Collins Aerospace as proud members of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. Unlike many SMEs that turn to programmes like Made Smarter to begin their digital journey, G&O Springs were already ahead of the game, having integrated advanced technologies into their operations. They approached Made Smarter West Midlands for expert guidance to fine-tune these systems and close any remaining gaps. 

Project challenges

During the pandemic, G&O Springs had already started its digital transformation by giving every employee access to Microsoft Teams. This made daily action plans, training schedules, and risk assessments easy to share and access across the business. They also developed their own APQP app to track each stage of the manufacturing process- from order through to delivery. 

However, the team recognised the need to improve real-time data collection on the shop floor. Their goal was to replace traditional whiteboards, which were used by multiple people working on the same part, with a digital system that could provide live updates and monitoring. Made Smarter West Midlands stepped in, along with the MTC, to help them realise their ambitions. 
 

MTC's solution

The MTC took a close look at G&O Springs’ digital strategy and existing systems to identify areas for improvement. The biggest challenge was capturing real-time data on the shop floor- specifically tracking the status of each product and monitoring order progress across multiple machines. To tackle this, the MTC proposed several solutions, and G&O Springs chose to implement Industrial IoT sensors to identify products, creating real-time data that was sent to their ERP system and showed on their interactive shop-floor touchscreens, recommended by the MTC, unlocking the full potential of their ERP system. 

The outcome

G&O Springs’ planning processes are now automated, and as each part moves through production it updates their dashboard. It allows them to see whether they’re ahead of schedule or falling behind, and every department has access to the information they need to stay on track. 

Beyond operational improvements, digital technology has empowered G&O Springs’ staff. With iPads on the shop floor, employees can access drawings, specs, and training materials instantly. Thanks to the data these digital tools provide, they can hold annual awards to celebrate innovation, teamwork and exemplary character.  

Their efforts earned them the 2024 Made Smarter West Midlands Adoption Award for Worcestershire, and they’re expanding their site by an extra 3,000 sq ft. The ultimate goal? To become fully paperless and have real-time data integrated across every department.