Staffordshire manufacturing firm joins forces with TES to electrify UK grid supply chain capability

A major new deal has been agreed that will deliver a more integrated scheme-to-site delivery model for the UK’s electric grid overhaul.

PP Control & Automation (PP C&A), a leading strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialist, has joined forces with Transmission Engineering Services (TES) to help the rapidly expanding sector move from engineering requirements to operational assets.

The relationship will provide customers with access to the design and engineering of protection and control panels and their subsequent build and Factory Acceptance Testing in a single solution.

It is an approach that has already been employed in a major infrastructure scheme by National Grid to upgrade and reinforce the high-voltage power network across North Yorkshire.

Tony Hague, director of PP Control & Automation, which is based in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, said: “The scale of investment required to expand and reinforce the UK electricity network is well understood, yet the supply chain model to make it a reality still needs a lot of work.

“Our agreement with TES will provide important capacity and speed to market in a vital part of the ‘chain’, as well as employing a ‘design for completion’ approach that will identify production issues earlier in the build and not once it is installed.

“We believe there is north of £10 million of opportunities for us over the next two years, but the long-term potential is even bigger as grid infrastructure accelerates.”

PP C&A is a strategic manufacturing partner to OEMs and machine builders, providing control panels, cable harnesses, electronics, mechanical assembly and complete machine build.

From its world class facility at the heart of the UK, the business helps customers scale production, reduce supply chain complexity, improve flexibility and bring products to market faster.

Its proven track record fits perfectly with Transmission Engineering Services’ capability in transmission and distribution projects, spanning protection and control, substation design, interface engineering, settings, testing and project delivery.

The North-East business, which is NERS-accredited up to 132kV, supports complex grid infrastructure, including high-voltage substations, brownfield upgrades and protection system replacement across the UK.

Dominic Cummings, project engineer at TES, which is based in Tyne and Wear, added: “Our combined offer with PP Control & Automation is ideal for Independent Connection Providers (ICPs), Network Operators and Electrical Equipment OEMs.

“The grid supply chain will undoubtedly need more people, from engineering, to manufacturing, to commissioning capability. But recruitment and investment alone are questionable as an effective solution to that challenge.

“Capacity is also determined by how effectively work moves through phases. When PP C&A and TES came together, our objective was to build the systems to achieve this.”

Tony at PP C&A concluded: “This collaboration is a potential blueprint for UK grid infrastructure if they are going to meet the country’s appetite for more cost-effective and stable electricity supply.”