15th April 2026
Recent weeks have brought two important industry moments into sharp focus.
First, coverage in The Telegraph highlighted the growing gap between the UK and global competitors when it comes to automation; something Pinaki Banerjee (PP C&A CEO) was invited to comment on. The message was clear: without meaningful investment and confidence, UK manufacturing risks falling behind at a time when automation is becoming fundamental to competitiveness.
Alongside this, a roundtable hosted by TheBusinessDesk.com explored a closely related theme: how businesses are moving from experimenting with AI and enabling technologies to embedding them at scale. The discussion concluded that the “wait and see” era is over, and organisations must now treat adoption as a strategic priority, not a side initiative.
“Leadership really needs to embrace this from the top down. Because the investments involved are so high, it cannot be a bottom-up initiative; it requires a complete organisational change.”
Pinaki Banerjee, CEO, PP Control & Automation
What connects both conversations is a shared reality – technology is no longer optional. Whether it’s robotics on the factory floor or AI in decision-making, the competitive divide is now being shaped by how quickly and confidently businesses act.
Pinaki’s contribution across both platforms reflects a consistent view. Demand for automation is rising, but investment, skills, and long-term thinking must follow. Without that alignment, growth will increasingly be found elsewhere.
For UK industry, the opportunity remains significant, as does the urgency.
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