PP Control & Automation has supplied its 25,000th control systems to the global machine manufacturer, just a few days after the 25th anniversary of the first order being delivered.
It marks what has been a transformational partnership for the West Midlands-based manufacturer and one that has been worth over £50 million since it impressed Japanese purchasing directors to make it on to the approved supplier register in 1993.
From there, the relationship has developed at pace, and manufacturing is now completed virtually just-in-time, with close communication and design input meaning lead times have been reduced from six weeks per control system to just six days – despite the complexity of the projects increasing.
David Fox, chairman of PP Control & Automation, explained: “There are very few business relationships that last 25 years in this day and age, let alone ones where a SME can build such a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship with one of the world’s best manufacturers.
“When Mazak Europe audited us in 1993, we were at just £2 million and employed about 25 people. However, we had ambitious plans and a clear continuous improvement culture, and the work we were doing with Toyota was enough to persuade them that we could meet their quality standards for supplying control systems.”
He added: “That decision was probably the most pivotal in our 50 year-history and some 25 years on, Mazak Europe continues to be one of our largest and most important customers.
“Today, we continue to provide the capacity for the client to take on new orders and expand by supporting the full design and build of control systems used in machine tools that will eventually produce parts for motorsport, automotive, medical, aerospace and oil & gas industries. It’s a partnership in the purest sense of the word.”
To celebrate the 25th anniversary, PP Control & Automation hosted a special race evening at Worcester Racecourse, with 30 employees from all parts of both businesses enjoying a night of racing, magic and live music.
PP Control & Automation www.ppcanda.com
