Lesjöfors manufacturer springs into action on the London Stadium
12 December 2016
The Lesjöfors AB company European Springs & Pressings Ltd recently took on a project that ‘hammered’ home the technological expertise of its workforce when the company formed part of a design solution to West Ham United’s new 60,000 capacity football ground.
The London Stadium, the new home of West Ham United Football Club and formerly the Olympic Stadium, recently underwent an impressive renovation under the guidance of Fabric Architecture – an international tensile fabric structure specialist.
Tasked with designing, engineering and installing large-scale fabric canopies over the retractable seating voids inside the new stadium, Fabric Architecture looked to European Springs & Pressings to develop a spring solution that aligned with its engineering requirements.
Recent investment in a new Fortuna coiling machine enabled European Springs & Pressings to design and deliver to specification. The new machine has expanded the Cornish company’s wire coiling capabilities to include wire from 0.3mm – 26mm, consequently opening up new markets across multi-industries.
Michael Gibbs, managing director of European Springs & Pressings Ltd, said: “Engineering solutions is key to our business. Investing in skills training and machinery is part of an ongoing growth strategy for the organisation that has seen us grow from an GB£800,000 operation to a turnover of GB£7.5 million over the last 15 years.”
Customised and efficient cooperation
Nigel Browne, director of design and engineering at Fabric Architecture, commented: “European Springs & Pressings were fast, efficient and very knowledgeable in assisting us to design a system that helped dissipate the loads from the canopies.”
Gibbs concluded: “Working with an icon in the sporting arena and with such a highly regarded construction and architectural design firm, has been really exciting for the team. In particular, our production manager’s love of West Ham, and subsequent suggestion that the springs were powder coated in the club’s famous claret colour, has added a personal touch that has truly made the team feel part of sporting history.”
