One of the UK’s leading manufacturing outsourcing specialists has appointed a new CEO to lead its global expansion.
PP Control & Automation (PP C&A), which works with many of the world’s leading machinery builders, has named Pinaki Banerjee as its new CEO, with well-known industrial leader Tony Hague stepping down to pursue a purely commercial and customer-focused role within the business.
The appointment is part of the firm’s long-term succession plan and comes at a crucial time in its growth, with the possibility of expanding its manufacturing footprint into Central Europe and North America via a series of acquisitions. This will provide the Ardenton Capital-backed manufacturer with the potential to double its revenue and exceed £70 million through a combination of organic and inorganic growth between now and 2027.
Mr Banerjee, who previously led a 900-strong team as CEO of the Central Eastern Europe region of Rubix, said: “PP C&A is at an exciting stage of its development. Under the excellent leadership of Tony, the firm has become a world-class manufacturing specialist, working with some of the largest global machinery builders. The foundations are set and our reputation in the UK and parts of North America is strong. Our opportunity now is to take this strategic manufacturing service offer to new markets and Central Europe is definitely the first territory in our sights.”
He continued: “In order to gain market share there, you have to boost your own manufacturing footprint, and we believe the best way to do this is through acquisition. If we can find the right domestic company that shares our values and brings a new engineering discipline into the mix, then that would be utopia. This isn’t a pipedream — this is the target within the first 12 months. That is why my skills in M&A activity and global operations — honed through many decades and across different markets — will be crucial.”
Spearheading transformative changeMr Banajee joins PP C&A with a proven track record in driving profitability, fostering growth, and spearheading transformative change within the industrial distribution sector. Previous roles at Rubix, Hoffman Group and Pilkington has given him an insight into more than 90 different international markets and, during that time, he has overseen the completion of five major acquisitions. A keen Manchester United supporter, he is also a firm believer in people being your biggest asset, investing heavily in unlocking the potential of every team member.
Mr Banerjee continued: “Consolidation is happening all around us - with the fittest and best practice companies absorbing more market share and incorporating new solutions. With the acceleration in digital transformation, I can only see this growing, and PP C&A is perfectly set up to win both organic work and to expand through M&A. First in Central Europe and then in North America is where I am looking to take us – while all along ensuring the UK remains our world-class manufacturing centre.”
PP C&A, which employs over 200 people at its ‘state of the art’ facility in the West Midlands, helps build machines that robotically milk cows, provide everyday packaging solutions, protects phones from water damage and cuts parts that are used in F1 cars and the world’s airlines. Significant investment in automation and delivering more than 200 hours of personal development opportunities to every team member has seen significant growth since 2000.
Mr Hague, who has overseen this expansion, picked up the story. “After 24 years at the helm it was time for a new pair of eyes to take the company to the next stage, and I am extremely excited to see what Pinaki can bring to PP C&A. In short, it is a massive coup for us to attract someone with his international experience.
“I am going to remain in the business, focusing on key accounts and helping to drive commercial activity. My heart will always be here, so it was the sensible decision and frees me up to explore more volunteering and trustee roles, which I am keen to do.”