PP Electrical boss sets out £20m sales target

PP Electrical Systems, which provide control and automation solutions to a global client base, is looking to boost sales by £3 million over the next 12 months after picking up a number of new orders in food packaging, security and machine tool build.

Managing director Tony Hague believes this has the potential to create 20 new jobs at the firm's impressive 40,000 sq ft facility in Cheslyn Hay, some of which will be apprentices and graduates.

There are also a number of high-profile opportunities it is looking to pursue with the Midlands Assembly Network, including alternative energy sources and a breakthrough in audio visual technology.

"We are definitely seeing original equipment manufacturers and machine builders reviewing their processes and how they can reduce lead times and increase their capacity," explained Mr Hague.

"This is definitely creating a real opportunity for PP Electrical and we are actively targeting customers who may want to outsource non-core activities. We have the automation, the skills and the processes in place to take on full or part machine build relatively quickly, ensuring the customer benefits from seamless production flow.

"We were just over £17m of sales in 2014 and, with the way the pipeline looks, I can see us breaking the £20m barrier this year.

"It's still going to be a challenging economic environment however. There is a lot of instability in Europe, the strength of the pound could damage export and the looming general election is never good news for business."

PP Electrical Systems is a global leader in electrical control systems, cable harnesses and sub contract manufacturing solutions.

It employs 180 people in Cheslyn Hay and has invested more than £1m in new machinery, automatic crimp force monitoring and cable preparation technology.

This commitment to automation – combined with UL 508A accreditation – has seen it become a trusted manufacturing partner for 13 of the world's largest machinery manufacturers in sectors such as automotive, food and drink, medical and telecommunications.

"Not many people know this, but we're often the first part of the journey for critical Formula 1 racing parts, the packaging your food arrives in, even new mobile phone coatings to protect it from water damage," continued Mr Hague.

PP Electrical is a member of the Midlands Assembly Network, a group of nine sub-contract manufacturers who work together to deliver new products and existing components to a host of global customers.

It is also an associate partner with Warwick Manufacturing Group.