PP C&A boss named CEO of the year

One of industry’s leading business figures has put manufacturing on the map with a notable regional award win.

PP Control & Automation’s Tony Hague was named as CEO of the Year at the Business Desk West Midlands Awards last night, beating off competition from some of the area’s biggest names in marketing, tourism, and leisure.

Under his leadership and commitment to investment in automation and technology, the company has grown from 27 staff and £2.5m sales to a £36+ turnover business, working with 20 of the world’s largest machinery builders.

He is also a massive advocate of people, overseeing a £5m spend in his 20-year tenure at PP C&A to create an in-house training school and the STEP training roadmap, which ensures each member of staff benefits from 200 hours of personal development every year.

“This is a massive shock to me, especially considering the quality of finalists I was up against,” explained Tony Hague.

“The West Midlands boasts some phenomenal talent and leadership and I’m delighted I’ve been recognised for overseeing the growth of PP Control & Automation over the last two decades.”

He continued: “Manufacturing doesn’t always get the profile it deserves, so I’m dedicating this win to all the management teams out there that are continuing to fly the flag for UK manufacturing in spite of our Government and all the economic conditions we have to put up with.”

More than 400 people packed into the Burlington Hotel in Birmingham for the Business Desk West Midlands Business of the Year Awards, one of the highlights of the regional B2B calendar.

15 awards were given out on the evening, including a special Ambassador of the Year prize for Synectics Solutions co-founder and Port Vale Football Club Chair Carol Shanahan.

About PP C&A

PP Control & Automation builds machines and assembles control panels in Cheslyn Hay that contribute to jet engines being made, mobile phone being protected, F1 cars getting faster lap times, inventory being stored smarter and refrigerated delivery vehicles being powered by solar energy.