West Midlands-based PP Control & Automation (PP C&A), a provider of manufacturing out-sourcing services, has invested over £100,000 in a new Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) manufacturing facility (www.ppcanda.com).

The company is now targeting up to £2 million of new opportunities where this dedicated and controlled environment will help it take on more complex and delicate builds, encompassing high-end PCB assemblies and box builds.

Sales director Garry Myatt said: “A number of clients were asking us for this additional capability, so we decided that the time was right to make the investment and bring this service into our offering.

"It involved special flooring, benches and test equipment — all grounded to earth to ensure that the electronics is protected from potential electrostatic discharge. Five people are now employed in this area, and all have undergone specific training to ensure compliance.”

Mr Myatt said: “We have got a lot of exciting diversification plans, some of which focus on making the most of the ESD manufacturing facility with both existing and new clients.

"With 2019 being a record year — securing over £3 million of new orders from the health-care, food and drink and packaging sectors — we anticipate further growth in 2020 from this new manufacturing service.”