Rewinding 2024 and reflecting on a year in UK manufacturing that created urgency around the green transition, and brought about a laser focus on collaboration in the light of yet more economic and political headwinds.
PP REWIND is back for its third successive year. Top PP Control & Automation stories published between January and December 2024 are displayed as chart-topping records, with this year’s campaign theme a homage to the Compact Disc album, once the most sophisticated way to store and play music.
Rewind and press play on 2024!
Download instantly in your browser or add this 40+ page e-book to your resource basket. Key stories from an eventful year in manufacturing, all conceptual REWIND24 artwork, and a forward (and fast forward) from CEO, Tony Hague.
40+ page e-book supporting the REWIND24 campaign: a look back on key stories from an eventful year in manufacturing. The book includes the top 10 stories of the year, all conceptual REWIND24 artwork, and a forward (and fast forward) from CEO, Tony Hague.
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AI hosts Poppy and Paul rewind and press play on 2024. Yes, you read that right… AI hosts!
Outsourcing apprehensions? We get it. You’re considering an outsourcing partnership but you’re understandably cautious. You have some ‘niggling’ doubt, especially given how much there is to consider when choosing a partner or understanding whether outsourcing is even the right solution for you in your current situation. You need reassurances. We’re no strangers to the apprehensions people have; intrusive thoughts manifesting like pesky little critters. But you’re in the right place. This is where we eliminate those critters!
Published: 11th January 2024 (PP C&A Landing Page)
Artist(s): Richard Spears / Tony Hague
| 1. | Niggling Critters |
| 2. | BONUS: The 50/50 Principle |
| 3. | BONUS: The Act of Letting Go |
| 4. | BONUS: Making Outsourcing Easy Q&A |
| 5. | BONUS: Customer Case Studies |
In 2024, the UK manufacturing sector faced key political headwinds. The general election created policy uncertainties, causing hesitancy in investment and strategic planning. The Autumn Budget introduced higher employer National Insurance contributions, significantly raising costs. Meanwhile, party manifestos ahead of the election outlined conflicting plans for industrial strategy, taxation, and trade, deepening uncertainty for long-term manufacturing policies. These combined factors compounded challenges, leaving the industry cautious about growth and competitiveness in an evolving political landscape.
Published: 27th June 2024 (Raconteur) / 5th July and 25th September 2024 (Various Trade Media) / 19th November 2024 (Zenoot)
Artist(s): Tony Hague / David Farraday
Tony Hague, CEO of PP C&A, emphasises the necessity for UK manufacturers to proactively pursue strategic independence rather than relying on government intervention. He advocates for enhanced innovation, investment in technology, and the development of resilient supply chains to navigate political and economic uncertainties. He argues that by taking control of their own destinies, manufacturers can secure a competitive edge and contribute to a robust industrial future.
Published: 12th June 2024 (Zenoot)
Artist(s): Tony Hague
Tony Hague, CEO of PP C&A, focuses in on the critical opportunity for the UK to lead in green technology manufacturing. He warns that outsourcing production overseas could result in missed economic benefits and diminished global influence. He advocates for onshoring clean energy manufacturing to capitalise on the growing demand for renewable technologies, thereby fostering economic growth and reinforcing the UK’s position in the global green transition.
Published: 24th September 2024 (Zenoot) / 25th September 2024 and 6th December 2024 (Shock of the New Campaign)
Artist(s): Tony Hague
PP Plus is an easy access support network designed to help create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future by supporting the growth of technological innovations in the UK. The PP Plus partner network, founded by PP C&A, is a carefully curated collective of over 20 organisations, sharing a unique blueprint for collaboration. Together, they constitute the most accessible growth support network in UK manufacturing. 2024 saw the launch of the PP Plus website and Green Machine publication.
Published: 12th April 2024 & 9th October 2024 (Various Trade Media) / 1st March 2024 (PP Plus Website) / 1st May – 1st November 2024 (Green Machine Mini Magazine)
Artist(s): Richard Spears / PP Plus Network Partners
Richard Spears, Marketing Manager at PP C&A and the person behind the formation of PP Plus, believes collaboration has a pivotal role to play in advancing UK manufacturing. Drawing inspiration from Michael Moore’s documentary “Where to Invade Next,” Richard suggests adopting successful international practices to enhance domestic cooperation, noting a focus on long-term planning and close inter-company relationships. These are considered exemplary frameworks for fostering growth and innovation in the UK manufacturing sector.
Since the launch of PP Plus, collaboration has become a burgeoning theme throughout 2024, inspiring tie-ups with fellow manufacturers and membership to new advanced and green manufacturing alliances.
Published: 19th February 2024 (InspirON Exchange Podcast) / 29th May 2024 (SMEFocus Podcast) / 4th July 2024 (Zenoot) / 30th July 2024 (Various Trade Media) / 17th October 2024 (PP C&A Blog)
Artist(s): Richard Spears
Safety, sustainability, and standards, and also the intersection between all three has become an interesting topic for machine builders and OEMs in 2024. Experts at PP C&A and associated technical partners have teamed up to offer a series of articles on the intersection between sustainability and UL standards, how safety standards can open the door to North American markets, and how the imperative of ESG plays a more significant role than ever before in strategic considerations.
Published: 4th March 2024 (Inside Sustainability) / 9th September 2024 (Design, Products & Applications Magazine) / 4th & 5th November and 9th December 2024 (PP C&A Blog)
Artist(s): Tony Hague / Ian Knight / Phil Murby / Richard Spears
2024 has not been without its challenges. But as ever, the UK manufacturing community has continued to flaunt its resilience. Manufacturing has some of the most passionate champions of any industry and their collective minds are forming innovative responses and thought-provoking opinions on tackling the challenges at hand. This collection includes Innovation Britain’s programme series, contributions to a report which shows how the past five years shaped the future of manufacturing, a celebration of one of the largest STEM events in the country for developing next-gen talent, plus opinions on how to bridge the skills gap and prepare for a leadership transformation.
Published: 9th February 2024 (GB News) / 10th May 2024 (Protolabs & IMechE) / 21st July 2024 (Various Trade Media) / 31st October 2024 (Zenoot)
Artist(s): Tony Hague / Malcolm Condon / MAN Group
PP C&A’s Tony Hague was named as CEO of the Year at the Business Desk West Midlands Awards in February, beating off competition from some of the area’s biggest names in marketing, tourism, and leisure. It marked one of four leadership accolades collected over 12 months. In response, Tony issued a statement on leadership. Furthermore, two PP C&A employees were introduced into the The Manufacturer’s Top 100: Malcolm Condon and Richard Spears, People Partner and Marketing Manager respectively, received the prestigious honour in front of 250 people at the NEC in Birmingham.
Published: 23rd February 2024 (The Business Desk) / 8th March 2024 (PP C&A Blog) / 6th June 2024 (The Manufacturer)
Artist(s): Tony Hague / Malcolm Condon / Richard Spears
Making Outsourcing Easy is PP C&A’s uppermost pledge, and in 2024 a series of articles explored everything from niche topics, specific production capabilities, capacity and investments, and where outsourcing may be an overlooked solution to growth acceleration, to important considerations for any machine builder; whether that’s the make vs buy debate, how to unlock design and engineering value, or the hidden features and benefits of a strategic partnership.
Published: 30th January 2024 (Various Trade Media) / 16th February 2024 (PP C&A Blog) / 22nd April 2024 (Manufacturing Management) / 26th April 2024 (PP C&A Blog) / 20th August 2024 (PP C&A Blog) / 14th March 2024, 2nd April 2024 & 17th July 2024 (Manufacturing Management)
Artist(s): Tony Hague / Ian Knight / Richard Spears
Enjoy high detail conceptual artwork created for the REWIND24 campaign!
The REWIND23 campaign and the stories behind the sleeves.
The REWIND22 campaign and the stories behind the sleeves.
