• • • AI • • •


DOUBLING WITH DISCIPLINE: PP CONTROL & AUTOMATION’S STRATEGIC PATH TO SCALED


ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE BY 2028


investment in automation within our own operations will allow us to scale intelligently, rather than simply add cost.


BY EDITOR, CASEY PORTER,


IN CONVERSATION WITH PINAKI BANERJEE, CEO OF PP CONTROL & AUTOMATION


n a fast-evolving manufacturing landscape, PP Control & Automation has set an ambitious goal: to double its business by 2028. In conversation with CEO Pinaki Banerjee, I had the opportunity to explore a strategy built on disciplined growth, combining UK organic expansion, targeted international acquisitions and investment in advanced automation and AI.


I


You’ve spoken about doubling the size of PP Control & Automation, what does “double” look like in practical terms? Revenue, capability, footprint, culture and over what timeframe? When we talk about doubling the business, we’re targeting that important milestone by 2028. In practical terms, this means doubling revenue, expanding our international manufacturing footprint, and significantly increasing engineering and design capability. We will achieve this through a balanced


strategy: organic growth in the UK, deeper penetration in priority sectors (such as energy, defence and medical) and where advanced automation is critical, and a relentless focus on productivity and facility utilisation. Continued


Alongside organic growth, we are actively pursuing M&A opportunities in Italy, Eastern Europe and the United States, whilst exploring strategic collaborations in India. The goal is to build a geographically aligned manufacturing network capable of serving machine builders and OEMs closer to their end markets.


Culture is non-negotiable. Doubling in size must not dilute our engineering DNA. It means scaling our customer-centric mindset, strengthening collaboration, and creating more opportunity for our people - not just getting bigger, but becoming more capable and more resilient.


Our investment in Artificial Intelligence is a key


enabler. We have initiated a programme expected to unlock up to 36 per cent engineering capacity savings by automating lower-value tasks and improving design workflows. This will give our engineers more time to focus on high-value, customer-facing problem solving, which is where we differentiate ourselves from our rivals.


You’re pursuing both organic growth and a significant M&A strategy. How do you ensure acquisitions strengthen the culture and engineering DNA that made PP C&A successful in the first place?


Cultural alignment and engineering integrity are central to our acquisition strategy. We are not


acquiring revenue; we are acquiring capability, talent and strategic fit.


PP Control & Automation (PP C&A) will look for strong synergies, particularly in design engineering depth, complementary sector exposure and customer alignment. But integration is not about imposing one model. It’s about identifying best practice across the group and elevating standards collectively. We are building a portfolio of excellence, not a collection of disconnected businesses.


Customer continuity is critical. Most of our clients operate internationally but not all are engaged with us beyond their UK operations. Expanding our footprint enables us to serve them more effectively across multiple geographies. That mutual benefit is another factor that drives our M&A rationale.


Our heritage as a control panel manufacturer has evolved into a broader strategic outsourcing proposition for machine builders and OEMs. This positioning guides our acquisition lens, leading us to the simple criteria of…’does this strengthen our ability to reduce complexity, improve resilience, and add long-term value for customers?’


What gaps in the market do you see that make now the right time for an acquisition drive? Are you targeting specific technologies, sectors, or geographic expansion?


The electrical control and automation market remains highly fragmented, particularly in control


20 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2026


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


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