A Midland manufacturer has a spring in its step after landing a major new contract with leading specialist vehicle manufacturer.

GME Springs is set to supply Warwick-based Dennis Eagle with front and rear suspension springs that will be fitted to the company's refuse collection vehicles.

As part of the £500,000-a-year deal, GME will also supply the springs to the operators of Dennis Eagle's aftermarket parts operation, Multipart Supply Chain Solutions.

Marcus Gerrard, sales director of GME Springs, said the new agreement was the result of two years hard work by the company.

He said: "We have long recognised that Dennis Eagle is a flagship company whose products are known across the world yet the vehicles are produced virtually on our doorstep, and it is nice to add such a prominent original equipment vehicle manufacturer to our growing customer base.

"We have been talking to Dennis Eagle for a considerable time. This area has a great tradition in the automotive and manufacturing sectors so when we supply springs and other products around the world, it is gratifying to do a deal so close to home."

GME will manufacture the springs to Dennis Eagle's own design, using staff at its Coventry office and also at the company's foundry in Sheffield.

Mr Gerrard added: "Having our own foundry clearly gives us an advantage in that we can monitor the manufacturing process from start to finish which serves as the customer's assurance of quality, and it also means we have an edge on speed of supply."

GME was established in 1971 as an automotive repair company and diversified when it had trouble sourcing suspension parts.

It employs more than 30 staff and also has a base in Scotland.

Anthony Davies, Dennis Eagle's senior production buyer, said: "GME Springs has an excellent reputation when it comes to the supply of automotive springs into the commercial vehicle original equipment market, and we are confident that it will meet our exacting requirements in terms of quality, reliability and in helping us meet our own production timetable.

"It is also pleasing to strike up an accord with a local supplier who, like ourselves, strives for perfection."