A specialist in precision springs for the aerospace and defence industries is set to continue its impressive digital transformation by soaring to even greater heights over the next five decades.
G&O Springs was originally set-up in a terrace house in Redditch in 1973 and is now based at its 13,000 sq ft premises in Broad Ground Road, Lakeside.
The business crafts a diverse range of high-performance springs in-house, from lightweight titanium to durable carbon steel, serving world-class clients such as Rolls-Royce and Collins Aerospace.
Robin Boyd, who joined the business in 1974, eventually took over the reins by buying out his partners before growing G&O Springs further.
Today, with 45 employees and membership in the prestigious Midlands Aerospace Alliance, G&O Springs continues to thrive under the leadership of Robin's son, Steve Boyd, who joined the business as a summer job 29 years ago.
Since stepping into the role of Managing Director, Steve has been a driving force behind the company’s digital push, which began in earnest in 2018.
As part of this, Steve’s son, Jacob, recently joined the business to assist with the implementation of digital systems, making him the third Boyd to work at G&O Springs.
While many SMEs look to programmes like Made Smarter West Midlands to start their digital journey, G&O Springs was already ahead of the curve, integrating advanced technologies into its operations. However, the company sought expert advice to refine its systems and close the remaining gaps.
We’ve always been ahead of our peers in digital technology. We wanted to take things even further by implementing real-time monitoring on the shop floor.
Steve Boyd, Managing Director, G&O Springs
G&O Springs used the time during the pandemic to digitise the business. Part of that involved introducing a Microsoft Teams licence to every member of staff for their daily work.
This means everything from day-to-day action plans to training schedules, and risk assessments to various forms are all now at everyone’s fingertips.
The business has also created its own APQP app that was designed by placement student Connor Baggott during his year at G&O Springs, which details every stage of the manufacture of parts, from its order to delivery. He is now working full-time for the company.
But G&O was not done yet. They knew that improving real-time data collection on the shop floor could unlock even more efficiencies.
“Our business culture is all about driving forward with digital technology,” Steve said. “We had built a near-paperless system using various tools, but the real challenge was taking our dry-wipe boards, used by multiple people working on the same part, and converting that into a digital, real-time monitoring system.”
This is where Made Smarter West Midlands stepped in. Martyn Mangan, the Digital Transformation Specialist for Worcestershire, and Shai Tailor, Senior Advisor for Digital Transformation at the MTC, visited G&O Springs to provide their expertise.
Martyn said: “We were referred to G&O Springs by Worcestershire Growth Hub and I came to visit Steve to discuss his issues.
“The business was well on its way on its digital journey but we were able to help it take further steps towards completing it by filling in some of the gaps.
“We discussed what G&O Springs wanted to introduce on the shop floor and communication between the different machinery was key. The response has been fantastic and it is making a significant difference in their daily operations.”
With a match-funded £13,820 grant from Made Smarter West Midlands, G&O Springs upgraded their systems and added several high-functional PCs and networked touch screens to the shop floor. These new tools allow the team to monitor progress in real-time, creating a seamless flow of data that enhances every aspect of their operations.
Steve said: “We had an ERP system in place, but now we’re truly maximising its potential. The transition to being paperless involves ensuring all data is accessible to those who need it, when they need it.”
Shai Tailor said: “We came in and reviewed G&O Springs’ digital strategy and looked at the current systems they had in place. Their main pain point was data capture on the shop floor to find out the status of each product and how complete each order was across different machines in the workshop.
“We came up with several solutions – some were integrated into their current systems and some were alternate software providers.
“We discussed the selection process on the hardware that could be used with Steve and discussed with the vendor about how the required information could be integrated into their current ERP system.
“It’s really great to see businesses championing the use of technology and having a digital vision in place.”
The introduction of these digital tools has transformed G&O Springs' operations. Data is now captured and used more intelligently, giving the team a clearer picture of their performance.
Steve said: “We’ve automated our planning processes, and as each part moves through production, it updates our dashboard.
“This allows us to see whether we’re ahead of schedule or falling behind. Every department now has access to the critical 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. The digital system even encourages peer recognition, with feedback loops that help drive innovation and teamwork.
“We hold an annual awards presentation where we celebrate innovation, teamwork, and exemplary character, all thanks to the data our digital tools provide,” Steve said.
“Our employees have fully embraced the new technology, and it’s made a real difference in morale and efficiency.”
As the company continues to grow, G&O Springs is expanding its footprint by adding an additional 3,000 sq ft to its facility. The company recently won the 2024 Made Smarter West Midlands Adoption Award for Worcestershire thanks to its digital strategy and implementation, and the future looks bright.
Steve said: “We’ve moved all our commercial functions into the new space, which allows us to streamline our aerospace and defence production processes.
“Our goal is to be 100% paperless and fully integrated with real-time data across every department.
“I can’t imagine running this business without the digital systems we have in place now,”
With all their data stored securely in the cloud and on two separate on-site servers, G&O Springs is well-positioned for the future.
By embracing technology, G&O Springs is not only meeting the demands of today’s aerospace and defence sectors but is poised to lead them into tomorrow.
