Case Studies >
Applied Spring Technology
Hang it all – it’s the spring that makes the difference!
Down the M1 to the little village of Hartwell, near Northampton, to meet John Goldsworthy and Peter Dix – the men behind Applied Spring Technology (AST) who have just landed a contract for up to 60 million constant force springs per year…for coat hangers!
It’s a business truism that customers don’t want to buy anything you sell. They want what your product delivers – leading the Managing Director of Black and Decker to once comment: “We don’t sell quarter-inch drills. We sell quarter inch holes!”
The problem AST were challenged to solve came from a global packaging company in London supplying dress and fashion hangers to leading retailers such as Marks and Spencer….
Clever little spring
These are the type which compress to the centre and then expand left and right to fit the garment. “Problem was”, says Peter, “manufacturers were putting size 8s on the hangers for shipment to the UK in huge container loads, which were size 10’s by the time the retailer unloaded them!”
The challenge was “come up with a solution” and the reward was “if you do, we’ll give you a supply agreement for up to 60 million springs (2 per hanger)”.
AST did just that. Coming up with a “clever little spring” to create a hanger that didn’t stretch the garment.
It took the company two years to develop the prototype and – although the directors felt the finished product could end up being sourced on the Far East, AST were awarded the contract.
AST, founded in 1989, made their name in the early days making springs for the American sash window market – growing their requirement to over 100 tonnes per year – and it was about five years ago that Brite Band first came on the scene….
Practical help
Says Peter “We were courted by Brite Band. Plenty of companies were knocking on our door, but Brite Band take a lot of trouble to ensure you get what you want, when you want it. You can talk to them and we consistently get real, Practical, technical help.
"Quality and price are usually ‘givens’ in today’s market – so the only differential left is service. Brite Band certainly win on that score!”