Company: GME Springs
Location: Coventry
Supported by: Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme
OUR BUSINESS
GME Springs, a family-owned business, designs and manufactures suspension springs for cars and commercial vehicles including buses, light commercial vehicles and 4×4 vehicles.
OUR INNOVATION
New equipment, purchased as a result of a significant grant from the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme, has led to the 15-strong business securing an order for a high-level military project and has created one new job for a production operative.
GME Springs has also invested in energy efficiency measures including installing LED lighting throughout their premises and received an additional £4,252 of funding through the ERDF Green Business Programme which is also being delivered by Coventry City Council.
They applied for a grant from the Business Support Programme to help with a specific project their research and development team was working on, which required specialist tooling. Getting the grant meant they could go ahead with their designs, and they proceeded to gain a contract with the Ministry of Defence.
Their sister company, Safetyflex Barriers, was also approached by another potential client to try and design a new anti-terrorist product to stop vehicle attacks. With most Anti Terrorist Barriers, foundations need to be dug into the ground. However, the design team at GME Springs has eliminated this requirement because the barrier sits on top of the surface with no foundation or pinning needed underneath.
“They look like a stainless steel planter because you wouldn’t know this product was underneath to stop vehicle attacks since it has plants and greenery on top, and just looks like normal standard street furniture, within the public realm,” says Marcus Gerrard, Sales Director.
Orders continue to flow in but they are running out of space. They currently have premises totaling 11,000 sq ft and have just had another grant to build a mezzanine for storage, though a bigger facility is still needed.
Justine Chadwick, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said GME Springs was in good health as it marks its 50th anniversary next year.
She said: “GME Springs has built a reputation for high-quality design and manufacturing since it was founded in 1971 and their products suit nearly all commercial vehicles.
“They have access to nearly 3,000 types of springs and over 20,000 items so creating a mezzanine has been a valuable addition to give them more capacity for storage.
“GME Springs has created a niche for itself with its specialised designs and the ability to diversify, and they are a perfect example of how the Growth Hub can help go-ahead businesses access grants and support for further expansion.”
Slingshot