PCE Automation, Scale Up New Anglia: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Businesses Programme
Leadership
Leadership qualities run through the Cook family and PCE Automation is a family-run firm. The Grandfather of Managing Director, James Cook, first established the business as Porcraft engineering and the company has flourished, with a powerful surge of growth in recent years.
The Beccles-based business designs, engineers and manufactures bespoke equipment and industrial packaging in the medical and Fast Moving Consumer Goods sectors.
In the past three and a half years, with the support of the New Anglia Growth Hub, the company has grown at pace; employing 38 people in 2016, rising to 100 employees in 2020. This huge acceleration, has been supported by the New Anglia Growth Hub which has helped the company to secure a grant and provided valuable advice along the way.
Scale Up New Anglia
William Millar, a New Anglia Growth Hub Business Adviser and former engineer, has a thorough understanding of PCE Automation, regularly visiting the site and enabling James to be part of the Scale Up New Anglia programme.
Scale Up New Anglia is extensive; created to facilitate high growth in ambitious businesses. It brings together groups of like-minded entrepreneurs who take part in a range of fully funded activities.
This includes one-to-one business coaching, group workshops and events, as well as access to funding and signposting to specialist programmes including the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Programme. This is a free course which helps business leaders create jobs through providing education, capital and business support services.
“This was the biggest eye-opener,” said James. “It showed me what was possible within the business.”
Global Ambitions
This has led to PCE Group acquiring new businesses and creating a strong foothold in the US market. James’s ambition is now to make the PCE Group a global brand within automation.
PCE Automation is a Gold Scale Up New Anglia company. This ‘Gold’ accolade reflects the success of James’s firm, his new role championing Scale Up New Anglia to other business leaders and providing peer-to-peer advice.
James has been only too happy to help other companies tread that same path to their own scale-up journey. “I’d advise anyone to get in touch with the Growth Hub,” said James. “Just reach out because you’d be amazed at the help the Growth Hub can give you.”
Reaching Out
Business Advisor, William Millar is clear about what makes PCE Automation a business which continues to thrive; it is about family strength and leadership. “James is passionate about the family nature of the business and the leadership he displays show a real involvement. When you get all those qualities together it makes for a really good and growing business – as the evidence has shown.”
With James’ own children now employed in the business, the family’s business legacy is set to continue.
Watch a video
Get in touch
Get in touch. Find out how the New Anglia Scale Up Programme could help you grow your business. Call 0300 333 6536 or email [email protected].
Visit: www.scaleupnewanglia.co.uk
