IST NEWS

Latest IST News

ISO TC227 WORKGROUP VISIT TO IST

Mr Isao Kato and Mr Tabe visited IST in July this year to discuss ISO TC227 workgroup and standards development, Andrew Watkinson, Managing Director will be following up on this visit by attending the workgroup in China later in the year.



ESF BOARD MEETING

Andrew Watkinson, IST Managing Director attended the ESF Board Meeting held at Palma Mallorca on 18th October 2007, along with Nick Goss, Managing Director or Goss Components Ltd. Attendees at the meeting were from Germany (VDFI), Austria (ASA), France (SNFR), Spain (ASEMU), Italy (ANCCEM), UK (UKSMA) and one associate member from Denmark.

The main themes reported were high raw material costs (nickel surcharges), skilled labour shortages and competition from low cost countries. Standards activity was discussed in some detail on an ISO, CEM and IWA level, with pending meetings in China and Japan also being attended by Andrew Watkinson. Future projects and standardisation activities were discussed, but no decision reached.

ESF SEMINAR

The 4th ESF seminar was held at the Melia de mar Hotel in Palma Mallorca on 19th October. Over 50 attendees from Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, UK, Denmark, Sweden and Bulgaria were present and was attended by both Andrew Watkinson, Managing Director and Mark Hayes, Senior Metallurgist from IST, as well as Nick Goss, Managing Director of Goss Components Ltd.

The presentation given by Mark Hayes was entitled How to improve Profitability through Spring Design. Profitability in the European spring industry is influenced by - prices negotiated for springs, labour costs, stability of supply/prices of raw materials and energy, productivity, spring design and imports from China, India, Far East, USA and Japan, trade associations can only influence productivity and spring design. Spring design impacts upon profitability by avoidance of problems with supply of materials, meeting tolerances without scrap and ease of manufacture. Ability to advise customers about design, optimisation and feasibility and ownership of design. In Europe spring design is governed by three standards EN 13906-4: 2002 compression springs, EN 13906-2: 2001 extension springs and EN 13906-3: 2001 torsion springs all of which have errors that Mark believes should be corrected at the give year review. Mark is currently looking into seeking funding to include these changes.

VISIT TO CHINA

Andrew Watkinson, Managing Director attended the ISO Standards Meeting on 29th October 2007. Two spring expert meetings for the WD 26909 (terminology) and WD 26910-1 (shot peening) projects. Final amendments to both draft documents including removal of symbols from the terminology document and deletion of cut wire shot allowance from the shot peening document, with the addition of a qualifying note, allowing use under certain circumstances. After which Andrew also attended the plenary session of ISO TC 227 workgroup on 30th October 2007.

VISIT TO JAPAN

Andrew Watkinson, Managing Director attended the International Spring Meeting in Nagoya, the even ran in parallel with the JSSE Spring Machinery Show and the JSSE 60th Anniversary celebrations. Progress with the ISO TC 227 projects were discussed along with new projects within TC 227. The ISO IWA Compression Spring standard was also discussed.


International Meting Japan

Andrew also attended the JSMA Board Meeting as a guest and visited the JSSE Spring Machinery Show and JSSE Symposium on 2nd November 2007. As the same symposium Mark Hayes, Senior Metallurgist gave a paper on the effects of prestressing on fatigue life of springs that were not shot peened. This paper was well received.


Just after JSMA Board Meeting

Latest Membership News

Following my recent request regarding the 2008 IST Membership Directory updates, the following amendments have been received from Members:

Allevard Springs Ltd - Post Code should read CF40 2XX

C.D. Wälzholz - Contact is now Ms Claudia Marks (Sales Export Manager), Email address cmarks@cdw.de.

Caparo Wire - Address should read Ash Road North, Wrexham Industrial Estate etc.

Carrington Wire - Email should be stephen.smith@carringtonwire.com

The Clifford Spring Co - Email should be sales@cliffordsprings.co.uk

Cotrel S.A. - Contact is now Ali Karim, Project Leader, Email address is karim.ali@cotrel.com.tn.

Danly International SA - Internet address is www.danly.co.uk.

Door Springs Ltd - Post Code should read DY4 7PQ.

G & O Springs Ltd - Email address is enquiries@g-o-springs.com, contact Managing Director, Mr S Boyd.

Industrial Springs Ltd - Email address is sales@industrialsprings.com.

Innovative Springs & Wireforms - Address should read Unit 17, Millard Industrial Estate, Cornwallis Road, West Bromwich etc., and Email address should be INNOVATIVESPRING@btconnect.com.

Jowitt Grinding Wheels - Address should read Bridge Way, Broombank Road etc.

Lancashire Spring Co. Ltd - Email address is lancssprings@tiscali.co.uk.

M and M Auto Industries Ltd - Tel: +91 124 4030224 and Fax: +91 124 4030229.

Muelles CROM s.a. - Post Code should be 08403 Granollers.

Peterson American Corporation - Post Code should be MI 48033, as is that of the Peterson American Corporation - Technical Products Center.  Changes to other Peterson branches are - Kingsville Email is CraigG@pspring.com, Contact General Manager, Mr Craig Grey - Madison Heights Email is BrianR@pspring.com, Contact Mr Brian Rambo - Maumee Email MBohlman@pspring.com, Contact General Manager, Mr Mark Bohlman - Windsor Email SheeryM@pspring.com, Contact General Manager Mrs Sherry Mailloux.

Peterson Spring Europe Ltd - Sales, Accounts, Purchasing & Distribution site - Fax is +44 (0)1527 588317.

TFC plc - Company name is now TFC Ltd, Email sales@tfc.eu.com and Internet: www.tfc.eu.com.

Ugitech Group - Company name is now Ugitech Arcelor, Tel: +33 4 74 50 55 40, Fax: +33 4 74 50 55 45, Email marc.dauzat@ugitech.com and Contact is still Marc Dauzat but his position has changed to Wire Business Chief Officer.

United Springs Ltd - Contact is now Technical Sales Manager, Mr G Fowler.

Other changes we have received are:

Bekaert Ltd (Speciality Wires) - Contact is now Ken Ramsden.
Pavithra Toolings - Email address is pavithrasprings@gmail.com.

CHANGE OF NAME FOR WATSON WIRE

Since 1981, Watson Wire has been a member of the international, family-managed F.W. Hempel group which today encompasses 14 companies in metal trading and processing. Watson Wire is part of the semi-finished products division which has operated internationally for almost 10 years under the name Hampel Special Metals Group. They have now taken the decision to standardise their international presence and rename Watson Wire Ltd as Hempel Wire Ltd.

The group’s international expansion is proceeding at pace with new sales companies in Hong Kong (since August 2007) and in Poland (in the course of formation) as well as an agent in the Gulf region. Please address all future correspondence using the new name Hempel Wire Ltd and amend Email addresses to firstname.lastname@hempel-wire.com.

Hempel Wire Ltd Primrose Park Greasbrough Road Rotherham South Yorkshire S60 1RH UK. Tel: +44 1709 376625 Fax: +44 1709 537099 Internet: www.hempel-wire.com General Email address info@hemple-wire.com.

WEBSTER & HORSFALL CUT ENERGY COSTS WITH MELTECH STRAND ANNEALING FURNACE

The UK’s oldest manufacturers of specialty wires, Webster & Horsfall have replaced a gas furnace with a Meltech MT1100 electrically heated furnace to cut energy costs and reduce the company’s carbon footprint. The MT1100 is used for strand annealing Webster & Horsfall’s range of Austinitic and Super Duplex stainless steel wires.

Founded in 1720 by James Horsfall, Birmingham-based Webster & Horsfall manufactures carbon steel spring, music and rope wire, stainless steel spring wire, low alloyed steel spring wire and strip for springs, clips and pressings. Over the past 12 months its energy costs have increased by over 50%. “We needed to cut our energy costs and contacted Meltech,” said Charles Horsfall, Managing Director, Webster & Horsfall Ltd. “The MT1100 is far more energy efficient than our gas furnaces. It also gives us greater versatility in our manufacturing operations. Until now we’ve had to start the gas furnace the night before using it to give it time to heat up to temperature; the cost against demand for annealing means we can no longer justify keeping the gas fired furnace on all the time. With the MT1100 we can turn it on as we need it; and the furnace is up to temperature within a fraction of the time,” he explained.

The MT1100 is being used to strand anneal stainless steel wires from 0.7mm to 4mm at 1,100°C. It is designed on the ‘low thermal mass’ principle and features multi-zone temperature control. Customisation of element design allows optimisation of the MT1100’s performance to fine tune temperature zoning and increased element operational life. In addition, the MT1100 uses advanced ceramic and insulation materials to give 90% thermal efficiency, leading to more consistent and manageable heating across the length of the furnace and reduced furnace heating running cost.

Charles Horsfall sees the move away from gas to electric as both inevitable and welcome. “The switch from a gas furnace to the MT1100 will have two positive benefits to our business, as well as reducing our energy costs, it will improve the quality of our heat treatment and significantly reduce our carbon footprint ahead of any government legislation. Electricity can be generated from various fuel sources which hopefully will improve long-term security of supply. Ultimately we plan to replace all our gas furnaces with electric.”

For more information on the MT1100 and Meltech Engineering’s furnace range call +44 (0)1254 691488, Email sales@meltech.co.uk or visit www.meltech.co.uk.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT WEBSTER & HORSFALL

Rising energy costs, the nature of wire drawing, Webster and Horsfall Ltd with their latest investment for the Meltech MT1100 electrically heated furnace are now in a position to put things in perspective with taking control of their energy consumption and reducing their Carbon Footprint. They now have the opportunity to reduce the size of their 16 Acre site which they have occupied since 1720. This alone will make the company more manageable and efficient.

Investment in a New Computer system which will run Rod and Wire purchasing, production and stock control went live on the 25^th June. Mr Charles Horsfall commented “This New System will allow for more robust information and will play a critical role in providing customers and suppliers with firm requirements and deliveries.”  

Five new directors have been appointed from the Webster & Horsfall and Latch & Bachelor management structure; they are Chris Farr and Geoff Cosham who both become Technical Directors, Chris will look after Webster and Horsfall and Geoff the Latch and Bachelor site. Miss Elaine O’ Neill and Mike Sewell are appointed Directors of Sales and Mr Jed Stokes; Site Engineering Director.

Websters and Horsfall as agents for Watson’s wire continue their strong relationship now in its third year, providing spring and wire forming customers with standard sizes of 302 stainless at competitive prices.

Webster and Horsfall have just seen two recent retirements:  Col. Patrick Robinson OBE as company Chairman. He will though remain as company secretary to Webster & Horsfall and Latch & Bachelor. Patrick joined the company as sales manager in 1973; he quickly advanced to Director in 1975, to Managing Director then Chairman in 1996. Col. Robinson has held the position of Lord Deputy Left Tennant of the West Midlands since 1982 and was awarded the OBE in 2003 for services to the Reserve Forces.

Mr Dave Kilgour retired after six years with Webster and Horsfall and fourteen years at Reddiwire. Dave who is well respected in the spring industry had acquired a great knowledge of the industry and was the Machinery Manager for the UK Agency of HTC-HSI the Taiwanese Spring Machinery company; he also represented Larsons the USA based company for spring testing equipment.

David Chatwin who joined Webster and Horsfall in February 2006 as Business Development Manager has also taken on the role of Machinery Manager. David, who for the past eighteen months has worked closely with Dave Kilgour, will continue to represent HTC and Larsons for the UK.  David having worked within the spring industry for many years has a hands on approach to production and spring manufacture, and an empathy with spring makers, as he now sits on the side of the supplier.

Webster & Horsfall Ltd Hay Mills Birmingham West Midlands B25 8DW UK.
Tel: +44 (0)121 772 2555 Fax: +44 (0)121 766 5816 Email chorsfall@websterandhorsfall.co.uk Internet: www.websterandhorsfall.co.uk.

NEW MOTORISED SPRING TESTING SYSTEM

Controlled by Instron’s Partner software, it is design to manage and automate the entire spring testing process. Load and height data are continuously collected during the nonstop test stroke. Load versus height graphs and test results are clearly displayed and results are stored in an accessible database via a network connection or printed in a customisable report.

Instron Ltd Coronation Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP12 3SY UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1494 456815 Fax: +44 (0)1494 456814 Email extra_uk@instron.com Internet: www.instron.com.

ALLOY WIRE - PRECISION SHAPED WIRES

Alloy Wire International are pleased to announce that in March 2007 Precision Shaped Wires Ltd (PSW) was acquired by them. It was opportune that just as PSW were looking to develop sales of their product, Alloy Wire was seeking to broaden their range to include shaped wire. A merger was the obvious step forward for both companies. Their relationship with John Coy, the founder of PSW, stretches back more than 20 years and they have the utmost respect for his knowledge and skills in the production of rolled and drawn shaped wire. They are therefore delighted that, contrary to the trend of many acquisitions these days, John Coy will remain as Managing Director. Furthermore, they shall not be moving from the present location and will be employing additional staff to continue and enhance the high standard of quality, precision and service that you have come to expect from PSW.

As you will see from their website www.precisionshapedwires.com they are offering the entire “Alloy Wire” range of alloys in shaped profiles and in quantities as small as 1kg.

Alloy Wire International Narrowboat Way Hurst Business Park Brierley Hill West Midlands DY5 1UF UK. Tel: +44 (0)1384 566775 Fax: +44 (0)1384 410074 Email sales@alloywire.com.

HALDEX LTD – GARPHYTTAN WIRE DIVISION

Haldex – Garphyttan Wire Division announce the retirement of their UK representative, Veronica Norris.   Veronica will retire at the end of this year, after which time Haldex will be represented locally by their stockists below:

Stride Supplies Ltd, UK, Mr Simon Moberley, Tel: +44 (0)121 733 3010, Fax: +44 (0)121 733 3360 or Email: info@stride-supplies.co.uk.

William Hughes Ltd, UK, Ms Rhoda Mitchell. Tel: +44 (0)1963 364333, Fax: +44 (0)1963 363640 or Email: Rhoda.mitchell@wmhughes.co.uk.

For new projects and technical advice you can contact Haldex Head Office in Sweden as follows:

Haldex Garphyttan AB, Sweden, Vanja Lundvall, Tel: +46 19 295 143, Fax: +46 19 295 210 or Email: vanja.lundvall@haldex.com.

IST would like to take this opportunity to thank Haldex Ltd for their continued support over the years and wish all their staff the best of luck for the future.

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR 2007: G&O SPRINGS

Each host company was invited to nominate up to three suppliers for the Supplier of the Year award. Each nominated supplier was then asked to submit a brief commentary on the project and its achievements. The judges scored the information provided in five categories: progress, commitment, enthusiasm, relationships and sustainability.

G&O Springs was nominated by Goodrich Engine Controls for its participation in the Goodrich Engines Aftermarket project. There were several strong nominations but in the judges’ opinion G&O Springs scored highly in all five categories. The judges were particularly impressed that G&O Springs has used the project to train employees in NVQ Level 2 Business Improvement Techniques; these employees are leading teams which are helping to sustain changes throughout the company. The judges were also impressed with the commitment from MD Steve Boyd and the way the project is being used to improve all aspects of the business. Bringing about a significant change in internal culture and attitude, the team at G&O, assisted by Goodrich, has embedded skills and developed an ethos of continuous improvement.  

Steve Boyd says, ‘This award means the world to us. It punctuates what we’ve already achieved through the Supply Chain Groups Programme, validates the decisions we’ve made, and spurs us on to make further improvements.

‘The process has transformed the company and changed a lot of attitudes. It’s an everyday thing now. And we couldn’t have done this without the expert help of the Supply Chain Groups programme.’

G & O Springs Ltd., Broad Ground Road, Lakeside, Redditch, B98 7YP UK. Tel: +44 (0)1527 523764 Fax: +44 (0)1527 527920 Email: enquiries@g-o-springs.com Internet: www.g-o-springs.com.

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