Manufacturers appear to be increasingly investing in key areas that will secure long-term competitiveness rather than speculative growth.
The management teams we are talking to about machine building and new product development are reacting to economic pressures, such as rising costs, supply chain uncertainties and ‘Trump tariffs’ by adopting a strategic approach to survival.
There is a strong focus on product innovation to counteract price pressures, whilst moderate investment into new areas of opportunity has replaced aggressive diversification.
Supply chain collaboration is another key feature, and this is something we are witnessing firsthand with enquiries soaring for outsourcing that delivers flexible scale-up and scale down of production and the unlocking of new capabilities that customers simply can’t afford in-house.
No matter the challenge or strategic direction, collaboration can be the unifying force behind bold results. A force that can both accelerate progress and mitigate risks - I’m a firm believer in that and there is lots of evidence to back up my convictions.
At PP C&A, a robust supply chain is non-negotiable. Its importance is driven by the fact that our customer’s supply and stock risk is mitigated when we inherit, manage and optimise their supply chain.
It’s central to the value we add as an outsourcing provider, so over the years, it has meant turning suppliers into value-add partners and technical guides, rather than simple transactional relationships.
2025 has seen demand for the services we offer increase massively, as potential customers seek to build supply chain resilience and try to achieve growth without significant investment. There’s also a definite move towards shortening supply chains in the wake of global trade wars and disruption widely seen during the pandemic and issues in the Red Sea.
Track Record
We already work with twenty of the world’s largest machine builders, providing speed to market, flexible production and access to new technology and capabilities for firms involved in food and drink, renewables, medical and machine tools.
In recent years, we have also begun to support start-ups, innovators and established manufacturers who are facing constraints in availability of skilled labour and space.
Regardless of the client and the end application, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Playing to each other’s strengths can bring the most value into play and help to remove unnecessary bottlenecks.
This collaborative approach has been taken one stage further, with the launch of PP Plus (a 20-strong network of manufacturing, tech, professional services and marketing specialists) and the Clean Energy Systems Partner Alliance (CESPA).
The latter has been formed to boost onshoring manufacturing with six experts in their respective fields coming together to deliver a single source solution for innovators and developers of green technology.
PP C&A has been joined by Danfoss, Emerson, Glacier Energy, Phoenix Contact and Voltserve, who will combine cutting-edge technologies and engineering prowess with sustainable solutions and proven production techniques.
The members bring every discipline needed to optimise and build systems - electrical, civil and structural design, renewable energy software and automation, connection technology and electronics solutions and climate, drives and power solution products.
They also have access to world class machine build and control systems and energy assets and infrastructure solutions.
Economic pressures have forced the UK’s hand a little, as firms strive to find solutions to issues often outside of their control. But let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth and look at how we can build supply chain resilience by pooling resources, expertise and bright ideas!
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