PP Control & Automation (PP C&A) has named Pinaki Banerjee as chief executive officer, while Tony Hague will move into a commercial and customer-focused role. The change is part of a succession plan that includes evaluating acquisitions to expand manufacturing operations in Central Europe and North America. The company aims to grow its revenue to more than £70M by 2027 through a combination of internal growth and acquisitions.
“PP Control & Automation 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 biggest global machinery builders,” explained Pinaki, who previously led a 900-member team as CEO of the Central Eastern Europe region of Rubix.
“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 twelve months.
“That’s why my skills in M&A activity and global operations – honed through many decades and across different markets – will be crucial.”
Pinaki Banerjee joins PP C&A with experience in the industrial distribution sector driving business growth, profitability and organizational changes. He has worked at Rubix, Hoffmann Group, and Pilkington, covering more than 90 international markets and overseen five acquisitions.
Pinaki 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 Control & Automation 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’m looking to take us – whilst all along ensuring the UK remains our world class manufacturing center.”
Tony Hague, who has overseen this expansion, said: “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’m extremely excited to see what Pinaki can bring to PP C&A. In short, it’s a massive coup for us to attract someone of his international experience.
“I’m 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’m keen to do.”
Source: PP Control & Automation
About PP Control & Automation
PP Control & Automation, founded in 1967 and based in West Midlands, UK, provides outsourcing in control and automation, including contract manufacturing and assembly of modules and complete machines. The company supports machine builders and OEMs in industries such as packaging, medical, environmental, transport, and logistics. Its work includes building machines that robotically milk cows, produce packaging solutions, protect phones from water damage, and cut parts used in F1 cars and commercial aircraft. PP Control & Automation employs more than 200 people at its facility in Walsall, UK, and has reported annual revenue growth of about £32M as of Dec 31, 2024.