Rochdale manufacturer has a spring in its step after 60 years

Posted by on 3 Jul 2023

As part of Rochdale Development Agency’s 30th birthday celebrations we’re speaking to some of the region’s biggest names in business.

1963 marks the 60th anniversary of the launch of one of world’s largest independent spring manufacturers.

Hanson Springs was founded by Malcolm Hanson, who remains managing director of the flourishing business.

Headquartered in Gorrels Way, Rochdale, the family-run business includes Malcolm’s two children - John, who is the finance director, and Lisa Jenkinson, who is the strategic purchasing director.

Lisa’s children, Luke Jenkinson (23) and Ellie Jenkinson (20), along with John’s daughter, Amy Hanson (19), have all joined the Rochdale manufacturer in recent years.

Hanson Springs employs 230 people and is on track to a hit turnover of £32m in 2022/23.

John: “When Dad launched Hanson Springs in 1963, Rochdale was one of the centres of the UK spring-making industry. There were around 30 spring companies in Rochdale alone.

“We started making springs for the textile industry but moved into general engineering. By the mid 1970s we’d focused on the oil and gas and power generation sectors, which today accounts for 95 per cent of what we do, producing around 15 tonnes of springs each day.”

In the last 10 years, the company has invested around £15m in upgrading the plant and machinery facilities at the Gorrels Way site.

Improvements included the installation of a second £750,000 automated hot coil production line, enabling the company to boost its capacity.

Around 85 per cent of everything they make goes to export, including the US, where they have a US distribution warehouse in Dallas.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Hanson Springs joined a UK-wide drive to manufacture 30,000 emergency ventilators to help the NHS deal the coronavirus crisis.

Hanson Springs was drafted in to supply specialist springs to JRE Precision, which was one of the companies called in to help meet the shortfall of ventilators, to be used in the equipment’s control panels which supply oxygen.

John recalled: “We are classed as a critical supplier and extended our operating times to reduce the number of people on site at any one time.

“We were able to react quickly because we hold a vast range of wire sizes and grades in stock.”

Hanson Springs is celebrating its 60th anniversary by holding a series of special events for staff every month, including bowling, golf and race days.

John said: “We have a very loyal workforce. We find when people have worked for us for five years they tend to stay for 30-40 years.”

John said Rochdale was the perfect base for a business and praised the work of the Rochdale Development Agency.

“It’s amazing to think we’re 60 years old and the RDA is celebrating its 30th anniversary,” he said. “Other than a few years in Todmorden, we’ve always been based in Rochdale.

“Rochdale is blessed with brilliant connectivity so we have quick access to the motorway network and Manchester Airport.

“We first dealt with the RDA when we bought our current site in Gorrels Way and they’ve remained very supportive.
“They really came into their own during Covid by offering support and information.

“We’re very proud to be 60 years old and playing our part in Rochdale’s booming business sector.”