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  • Ellough Road, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 7TE
PCE Automation Ltd

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Formed in 1961, PCE Automation is at the forefront of UK Automation and UK Manufacturing, manufacturing a vast range of bespoke turnkey automation solutions.  PCE has built a worldwide reputation for innovation and quality, underpinned by our ISO 9001 and Safe Contractor accreditations, as well as our Queens Award for Enterprise 2020, recognising our excellence in International Trade.

PCE manufacture world-class automation of the highest quality, such as Assembly, End of Line, Robotics, Line Feeding, Product Testing and Handling Systems, blending complementary technologies to produce automation excellence for our customers; unlocking greater throughput and efficiency. PCE also undertakes to Build to Print Projects to help customers replicate existing machinery with up-to-date technologies or complete previous unfulfilled projects.

From modern manufacturing facilities in Beccles (Suffolk) and Lutterworth (Midlands) we manufacture stand-alone and complete systems, primarily for clients within the Ocular, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Clean Room/Laboratory, as well as FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) and Industrial Automation.  We can boast complete in-house capabilities to Design, Project Manage, Manufacture,  Program, Install, Commission and Service; resulting in shorter project lead times and a swift ROI for our clients.

Strategically placed at each end of the A14, PCE provides our unrivaled Service and Support to UK clientele, as well as our customers across Europe and the USA.

Founders of the PCE GROUP of Companies, our solutions achieve the highest levels of efficiency and long-term reliability.  Embracing the latest cutting-edge technologies, our highly skilled in-house team, delivers exceptional stand-alone ‘turn-key solutions, as well as cells that seamlessly integrate with customers existing machinery. For the very best in UK Manufacturing and Automation, look no further than the automation specialists.

We look forward to discussing your automation needs and to exploring how we can become Your partner in automation ….

2021

60 Years of PCE

August 2021 sees the PCE GROUP celebrating its 60th Anniversary – 60 years since Ernest James Cook founded Poolcraft, setting in motion the eventual development of The PCE GROUP. The landmark was commemorated with a visit from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant – Clare, Countess of Euston, to present our Queen’s Award for Enterprise awards, a Crystal Vase and a formal citation, personally signed by the Queen and the Prime minister.
2020

Royal Ascent

April 2020 sees the PCE GROUP of Companies awarded a prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise for International Trade, underlining the exceptional team ethic of the PCE GROUP. A catalyst for realising future growth ambitions.
2019

Pivoting for the Future

Investment in a new ‘Clean Room’ production environment, Hurco machining centre and Additive Manufacturing technology; lays the foundations for growth within the Ocular, Medical and Pharmaceutical industries. PCE GROUP employ100 th member of the team and submit their maiden application for a prestigious Queens Award.
2018

Stronger Together

In September of 2018, PCE Automation Ltd completed the acquisition of db automation and Premier Bowl Feeders of Leicestershire, to form the PCE GROUP of Companies. A number of additional premises were also acquired (at PCE HQ in Beccles) to increase overall production capabilities in Suffolk.
2017

Give Youth a Chance

In 2017, PCE were delighted to celebrate 30 years of employing apprentices.

PCE signed the Youth Pledge with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which promises that every young person, between the age of 16 and 24 in Norfolk and Suffolk, will be given the opportunity to obtain an apprenticeship, training, work experience, or a suitable role, within 3 months of leaving education or employment.

In September, PCE welcomed 3 new apprentices to the family, to begin their apprenticeship journey. Head on over to our news page for more details.

2017

Home Improvements

In 2017, a new factory building was added to the rear of our PCE complex, to accommodate record business growth and provide much needed additional production space.

Also, with the significant increase in staff numbers, additional staff car parking was created to the rear of our factory.

2016

New Blood

In April of 2016, the board of directors welcomed Programming Engineer David Nolloth, to the fold. David has served in excess of 20 years, as a Programming Engineer and served his apprenticeship with PCE. David joined James Cook and David Cullen on the Board of Directors.
2014

Joined up thinking

Between 2002 and 2014, PCE formed supplier alliances by becoming Systems Integration and Sales Partnerships with international brands, namely Festo, Rockwell, Staubli, Mitsubishi and Bosch Rexroth, the latter of which led to a further building (2014) to join factories 1 and 2. This addition to the factory would be used to store and build Bosch Rexroth extrusion frames.

2002

Building for the future

In 2002, continued expansion resulted in the commission of a second purpose built factory, immediately adjacent to the original. This was built to increase our assembly area for larger scale projects.

 

1994

One Million Mark

In 1994, PCE reached a significant financial milestone, in accomplishing £1M turnover, with a workforce of 15 full time staff.

When Bryan retired in 1999, there was a board re-shuffle to form a new partnership shareholding of James Cook (Current MD) Terry Cook and Gary Cook. PCE also registered and became an incorporated.

1992

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

In 1992 Poolcraft relocated from its riverside premises, to a specialist factory unit at Ellough, just outside of Beccles. The company also fully re-branded to PCE Automation. This was to better reflect primary business activities, whilst retaining the heritage behind its name. Terry Cook (son of Ernest Stanley) had taken the helm, to spearhead PCE’s next chapter of growth.
1981

Poolcraft Engineering was born

A downturn in the UK tourism industry in the late 70’s and early 80’s, led PCE (Now owned by Ernest James’ 2 sons) to diversify into packaging machinery (1981) under a subcontractor licence for Europak Limited, who currently operate as part of the Bradman Lake Group.
1961

Pushing the boat out

Poolcraft was originally formed in 1961, by Ernest James Cook, who was a boat builder by trade. He and his two sons Ernest Stanley and Bryan, built a successful boat hire business on the Norfolk Broads, beside where the Beccles Lido currently stands. PCE designed and built elegant wooden craft, changing to fibreglass and steel as the marine industry evolved.

Let’s work together

If you have a particular automation project in mind, PCE are your one stop specialists. Contact us today on +44(0)1502 713287, or click the ‘Contact Us’ button below.

We look forward to becoming; Your partner in automation….

Contact Us
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