PP Control & Automation has ambitions to expand into India, the US and elsewhere

One of the UK’s leading manufacturing outsourcing specialists, based in Walsall, has launched a major acquisition drive as it targets global expansion and record growth.

PP Control & Automation, which partners with more than 20 of the world’s top machinery builders, is on course for sales of £40 million in 2026. 

The firm aims to reach £100 million within four years through a combination of organic growth and strategic purchases.

Expansion will focus on high-potential sectors including clean energy, defence and life sciences. 

Global expansion 

The company plans to acquire complementary manufacturing businesses in Europe, the US and Asia to build an international presence.

New chief executive Pinaki Banerjee is leading the mergers and acquisitions strategy, with active discussions under way involving targets in Italy, Eastern Europe, India and the US.

Mr Banerjee, who previously held senior global roles at Rubix, Hoffman Group and Pilkington, said: “2025 brought with it a lot of global economic challenges, yet we still managed to achieve strong performance across new sectors and put in place foundations to achieve over £40m sales over the next twelve months.

“Our £40m target is based on high confidence in the sales pipeline and positive market signals in segments we’ve identified for growth in the UK. Our higher growth ambitions will come from international markets and customers looking for a trusted partner that offers world-class performance and the ability to scale quickly and bring new technologies to market.

“Acquisitions will form a big part of our approach. Serving global clients will require a footprint on the ground in key territories ,and the best way to do this quickly is to absorb like-minded businesses with shared values and strong manufacturing capabilities into our group.

“Talks are progressing nicely with a joint venture in India and a possible target in Italy, whilst there are some interesting routes we can go down in Eastern Europe and via the recent appointment of M&A advisors in the US.”

Robotic milking systems to precision-engineered parts of F1 cars

PP Control & Automation employs more than 200 people at its advanced facility in the West Midlands.

It supports the production of diverse machinery, from robotic milking systems and packaging solutions to components that protect mobile phones from water damage and precision parts for Formula 1 cars and commercial aircraft.

The firm has adopted a four-pillar strategy to drive its ambitions, encompassing mergers and acquisitions, sales and marketing, operations, and digital transformation. This includes greater use of artificial intelligence and support for clients in early-stage design.

Banerjee added: “This is a really exciting period as we attempt to move to a truly global strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialist.

“The UK will always be our HQ and the nerve centre of our operations, with investment already signed off to implement more automation and to offer significant CPD opportunities and new internal training programmes to our outstanding team.

“However, the time has come to create a network of manufacturing operations around the world, and the search is gathering pace for the right partners.”