Coating specialist extends outsourcing partnership with PP C&A

A coating technology specialist that protects millions of electronic devices every year has extended its manufacturing outsourcing partnership with PP Control & Automation (PP C&A). P2i, which celebrated its 20th birthday last year, is using the Midlands-based manufacturer to help bring its new 18L machine to market. The machine is said to deliver a solution that applies the thinnest, most robust liquid protection possible to mobile phones, medical implants and automotive electronics.

The new system takes all the firm’s capabilities and condenses them into a smaller, stand-alone unit that is less than half the previous model’s footprint and is suitable for use on any shop floor. It took PP C&A just six months from sending the design files to producing the machine, which has already been sold to five customers across the world.

“PP C&A has been our manufacturing partner for more than half of our company life and its ‘DNA’ is embedded into our hugely successful existing machines,” explains Phil Millard, Head of Engineering at P2i. “Getting them involved in our next-generation 18L model at the earliest possible stage was the natural decision. PP C&A’s proven new product introduction [NPI] expertise was at the heart of the build, identifying a host of cost downs and build efficiencies, and assisting with the production engineering process.”

He continues: “Completing the first build in six months was only possible due to the entrenched relationship we share and the complete transparency we hold, where iterations are welcomed and acted upon to improve the process and the end-use application.”

P2i’s coating technology works at the molecular level thanks to its plasma-enhanced vapour deposition chamber.

Despite a host of global challenges leading to unprecedented supply chain disruption and soaring energy prices, the ambitious nano-coating specialist says it has continued to increase its global presence, customer satisfaction levels and market diversification. The company now currently employs over 190 people globally at its various facilities around the world, including Oxford, UK.

Tony Hague, CEO at PP Control & Automation, says: “NPI is all about learning as you go and settling upon the best possible production method, driving out costs and identifying where we can speed up the build. Our partnership with P2i is a fantastic example of how strategic outsourcing should work. On the 18L, we’ve been able to eliminate 20 hours from the build process, while still delivering the performance and quality demanded by the client.”

He adds: “To develop a high-tech machine in just six months is some achievement, but I believe we’ll be even quicker next time. We both view iterations as a great learning process and this approach has delivered some fantastic bottom-line benefits.”

P2i is expecting demand for these systems to outstrip earlier models and PP C&A has responded by building a dedicated cell capable of creating tens of units every week.

On this particular model, PP C&A has taken on more supply chain responsibility and is now offering factory acceptance tests (FATs), meaning when machines head to Oxfordshire they have been tested and are working efficiently.

Martin Tolliday, Chief Operating Officer at P2i, concludes: “Our expertise is designing and developing machines that can apply ultra-thin coatings to a range of applications, helping reduce the amount of e-waste produced across the world every year. Our technology is our USP and, to get the most out of it, we leverage PP C&A’s 50+ years of machine build expertise as our manufacturing partner. It’s a vitally important relationship that’s pivotal to us growing and taking advantage of new opportunities. Moving forward, the partnership is only going to get stronger. While our 18L model is being rolled out, we’re already working on the next generation of equipment that will provide the fastest and largest coating application capability we’ve ever produced.”