“PP Plus exists to deliver immediate expertise and knowledge, with a track record of bringing new products to market.
“It’s all about unlocking and commercialising the ideas that will contribute to a more sustainable future, and make UK manufacturing stronger and more successful because of it.”
Tony Hague, CEO of PP Control & Automation (Founding PP Plus partner)
The year is 2020.
The world is grappling with an unprecedented health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic affected us all, but at the same time, swiftly became a catalyst for innovation.
The pandemic timeline is punctuated by pivotal moments of innovation that have left an indelible mark on society and industry. Manufacturers were tasked with solving the immediate need for ventilators and respiratory support devices with rapid innovation required in the design, production, and speed at which they could be accessed.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), diagnostic testing equipment, and remote monitoring devices were also territories where innovation had to quickly support the critical need. This urgent development of improving existing and creating new technological solutions spilled over into several industrial sectors.
PP Control & Automation (PP C&A) recognised this first-hand. The strategic outsourcing provider which works with over 20 of the world’s leading machine builders and OEMs noticed a clear upward shift in businesses seeking manufacturing partners for the development of innovative and disruptive technologies.
However, it wasn’t just manufacturing support they needed. These businesses, often fledgling businesses, start-ups, and university spinouts required support at several stages during their testing challenge to scale.
That challenge was bridging the well-publicised valley of death.
It was clear – the UK has a wealth of innovative companies that come up with new concepts and ideas that have true commercial potential and the opportunity to scale – however, they simply don’t have the capacity or additional expertise to realise these fantastic ideas.
It was at this time PP C&A engaged its network of technical partners, business development strategists, and leading universities to bring the right organisations together with the ambitious goal of helping UK innovation take root.
And so, PP Plus was founded.
Today, the network is over 20 organisations; a carefully curated collective, selected with discernment and purpose. They share a unique blueprint for better collaboration.
Together, they constitute the most accessible growth support network in UK manufacturing, serving as the catalyst for a multiplier effect that unites entire communities in the shared mission of guiding technological innovation.
They sit within three key pillars of support.
“We’ve seen first-hand that challenges are often down to a lack of available resource, advice and ‘bandwidth’ and we want to do something to change that.”
Manufacturing
Partner with industry experts to unlock resources, manufacturing capabilities, market insight, and product development acceleration.
Business
Access consultants and partners, supporting growth through grants & funding, marketing strategy, planning and scaling up coaching.
Academia
Support through collaborative research, testing facilities, and academic partnerships, fostering technology development and validation.
Green mission
Like how the pandemic’s impact on healthcare accelerated innovation, there are several other existential problems that need addressing under the same urgency and require brilliant manufacturers and problem solvers to respond to the call.
How do we feed ourselves? How do we generate energy? How do we travel?
Evolving its network offer since its inception, PP Plus is now focused on supporting the growth of green technological innovation in the UK.
Designed to help create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, PP Plus is positioned to support clean energy, future mobility, and agritech innovation, and machinery or equipment that contributes to a circular economy.
“New market footholds generally exist where disruptive innovations originate, and novel technologies can be deployed to change the way a sector or even the world behaves.
“This disruption is often the starting point, but there is only a small window of opportunity to make sure this same disruption becomes a sustainable business.”
Be the central support network that is of influential service to innovators in UK GreenTech and ensuring that the creation of subsequent economic wealth stays right here in the UK.
Have you had the pleasure of meeting Canda yet?
Like any red panda, Canda is a captivating little animal, with a unique ecological niche and a crucial role in the ecosystem he inhabits. But Canda’s role, and the ecosystem he inhabits, is a little different.
Access the network
It’s easy to access the PP Plus support network and Growth Pillars.
It all starts with a…
1-hour min.
A discovery session will usually last an hour but there’s no time limit on getting to know your needs and how we can help.
Free of charge
A discovery session is completely free of charge and requires no formal preparation. Let’s see where an informal chat leads.
No obligation
There is no obligation to use PP Plus or its partner network after your session. This is all about getting to know one another.
Next steps
A discovery session will clearly identify the best next steps to take and may result in direct referrals to specific network partners.
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