As the UK approaches National Manufacturing Day on September 26, Tony Hague, CEO of PP Control & Automation, emphasizes the urgent need for the country to commercialize more green technology domestically. He argues that this is a pivotal moment to leverage the UK’s strong academic foundation and leadership in wind power and electrification to drive sustainable innovation.
Hague points out that focusing on onshore manufacturing could create up to 60,000 new jobs while reducing dependence on global supply chains and retaining critical intellectual property that could otherwise be lost abroad.
“We have world-class research institutions and a vibrant start-up ecosystem, positioning us to become a hub for green innovation,” Hague stated. “However, without domestic manufacturing, we risk forfeiting our strategic edge as a global leader.”
He stresses that onshore production of green technologies is not only economically essential but also crucial for achieving broader environmental objectives. To meet the UK’s 2050 Net Zero targets, significant reductions in emissions across all sectors are necessary, and shortening supply chains will be a key factor in this effort.
Hague advocates for enhanced collaboration within the manufacturing sector to maximize capabilities. A model for this collaboration is PP Plus, a collective comprising over 20 organizations from UK manufacturing, academia, and professional services. This initiative aims to assist green tech start-ups in navigating the “commercial valley of death,” facilitating their journey from concept and prototyping to securing IP and driving sales.
Additionally, Hague introduced CESPA (Clean Energy Systems Partner Alliance), a collaborative effort involving six leading companies focused on clean energy systems. This alliance aims to combine complementary design and engineering capabilities, alongside hardware and software solutions, to enhance efficiency and promote environmental responsibility.
He concluded, “By manufacturing green technologies locally, the UK can generate jobs, bolster its economy, secure resilient supply chains, and achieve its climate objectives.”
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