Press Articles

Doig Spring & Engineering Co Ltd Ltd. of Furze Platt, Maidenhead has changed hands after more than half-a-century as a family business.

The company, which employs 38 people and exports its springs, pressings and wire products around the world, has been bought by midlands-based Joust Ltd. (owned by Mr Tony Coade) without any loss of jobs. The outgoing directors, Mr Robert Duncan and Mr Peter Cenci, were advised in the sale of the company by commercial solicitor Sue Jones of Colemans in Maidenhead. "I don't know how we would have managed without Sue's skill and experience: he made a stressful transaction bearable", said Robert Duncan. Robert will be staying on for six months as a consultant advisor, and Peter Cenci has taken the role of Production Manager. "It is a great benefit for the continuity of service to customers and the well-being of staff to have Peter staying on in this role", says new MD Tony Coade.

Doig Springs started life in 1949 when Robert Duncan senior began making springs on his kitchen table in Maidenhead as a part-time venture. He cycled to companies in the area seeking their business and Crane Packaging Ltd. in Slough became one of his first customers - they remain a customer today. 1952 saw the renting of the first factory in St Peter's Road where Robert senior was joined by his brother, George, and his brother-in-law Martin O'Hara, and soon afterwards Martin's brother Brian. Shortly afterwards Robert Duncan junior joined the firm in 1961. There were, at one point, eight members of the family employed there.

The present manufacturing location was bought in 1958 from an employee who owned a bungalow with a small piggery alongside. The employee sold the piggery to Doig Springs and the present St. Peter's Road site was built on it. The Company also has a manufacturing facility in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. Components produced have been used by a wide range of well-known companies such as Black & Decker Ltd., Arianespace, McLaren Racing, Hoover plc, British Aerospace Defence Ltd., and Stoves Cookers Ltd. - to name just a few. Other companies owned by Mr Tony Coade are also in the engineering manufacturing industry and he sees the products of Doig fitting in well with the group's range.