Plymouth manufacturer acquires precision toolmaking company
Automation and control system specialist, Applied Automation based at the Langage Farm estate in Plympton, have announced the acquisition of local precision toolmaking firm, PTG Precision Engineers, also based at Langage. This latest move pushes the workforce above 200 and is a further demonstration of the company’s ambition and ongoing success to date.
The purchase makes sound strategic sense for the growing company.
David Rowe, managing director of Applied Automation said: “I feel sure this acquisition will be good for Applied Automation as we continue to grow. It gives us greater capability in precision engineering that can support our growth. As we’ve grown our toolmaking demands have increased. We have been finding it more and more challenging to achieve competitive costs and favourable lead times from our existing supply base of manufactured parts. This acquisition will ease this problem and at the same time it provides a strong and stable future for PTG.”
PTG Precision Engineers Ltd which is conveniently based across the road from Applied Automation is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Automation. It will continue to trade as a standalone company although effectively it will become a division of Applied Automation. Two experienced members of staff from Applied Automation will join the PTG management team, who will continue to run the business on a day-to-day business.
David Rowe added: “I’m really optimistic about the future of PTG. With the skills and capabilities that PTG possesses there’s a great opportunity to grow the business and build a reputation for providing excellent service and high-quality work and be the leading toolmaker in the South West. That’s good news for the PTG team, its suppliers and its customers.”
PTG will service and develop its own customer base and undertake a workload from Applied Automation that is thought to be around a third of their overall capacity.
Founded over 30 years ago, Applied Automation originally made control systems for a range of industries, including car manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. While engineering remains the core business, the firm now has other divisions including a control and automation distribution arm, a marine section and a versatile frame building system division. The business exports many of its products to firms across Europe as well as a growing number to China and the US.