PP Control & Automation rubber stamps its green credentials
A six-figure investment in factory improvements and a commitment to support industry’s move to ‘carbon net zero’ has helped a Cheslyn Hay manufacturer secure a prestigious environmental accreditation.
PP Control & Automation, which works with more than 15 of the world’s largest machinery builders, has been awarded the ISO:14001 standard for the first time in its history as part of its continued commitment to sustainable production.
Manufacturing experts at the firm fine-tuned existing in-house systems and explored a more comprehensive recycling and packaging strategy to make sure it met all of the required processes and systems.
The slight tweaks in approach follows an investment programme to fit a highly efficient ambient heating system, LED lighting throughout the factory and offices and new skylights in order to maximise natural light throughout the company’s 50,000 sq ft facility in Cheslyn Hay.
“We are passionate about sustainability and making sure that the contract manufacturing solutions we build have as little negative impact on the environment as possible,” explained Tony Hague, chief executive of PP C&A.
“This means we were already operating strong policies and systems to reduce our carbon footprint and felt the time was right to formalise it with the ISO:14001 accreditation. Working with an external expert, it gave us the opportunity to forensically review what we do and how we do it and the overall feedback was very positive.”
He continued: “It did throw up some interesting improvements we could make, certainly around types of packaging and engaging with a more strategic recycling partner - something we are already adopting.
“The type of world-leading customers we are working with are increasingly aware of the importance of ISO:14001 as a prerequisite for their preferred supply chain partners.”
PP C&A has been operational throughout the pandemic, providing strategic outsourcing solutions to customers involved in food and drink, packaging, renewables and medical.
The company’s expertise in control and automation and contract manufacturing, combined with the ability to quickly set up new production cells, has seen it supply critical wiring harnesses to the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium and a host of new Covid-19 inspired technologies designed to protect people and reduce the spread of the virus.
New orders have seen the firm return to pre-pandemic levels and in a position where it is now looking to take on up to ten staff in a range of production and office roles.
“There is no denying the last 12 months have been challenging, but it has also highlighted the ingenuity and innovation of UK manufacturing in responding to them,” added Mr Hague.
“We have some bold expansion plans in place for 2021 and this could mean the purchase of a second site nearby.”
PP Control & Automation became one of the first employers in South Staffordshire to introduce lateral flow testing earlier this month for all of its 200 site-based staff.
A training office has been converted into a new testing area and a number of employees have been trained in managing the process safely, meaning every worker is now offered a weekly test.
