Black Country-based Power Panels Electrical Systems has signed a new national agreement with one of the world's leading pneumatics and fluid power businesses.

The Cheslyn Hay company, which makes control and automation products, will become a national integration partner for SMC Pneumatics (UK), providing its global customer base with electrical, electronic and electro-pneumatic control systems and assemblies.

It will look to combine respective engineering and manufacturing technologies in a bid to introduce new components and processes to the building of specialist machines used in food processing, machine tool, medical, packaging and semi-conductor industries.

Tony Hague, managing director of Power Panels Electrical Systems, said: "We are continually looking for ways to improve the quality and diversity of the solution we offer our customers.

"Therefore, it is vital that we forge closer links with other leading technology providers.

"We have been working closely with SMC for a number of years and the signing of this agreement further strengthens this relationship and signals our intent to jointly use the best components and the best processes in the build of our systems and machines."

Power Panels, which employs nearly 200 people at its base, works with 12 of the world's largest machinery manufacturers.

Over £1 million is invested each year in providing the workforce with a host of development opportunities and in the latest automation, including cable cutting, stripping, marking, termination and automatic crimp force monitoring

Steve Bangs, manufacturing director of Milton Keynes-based SMC, added: "There are a lot of synergies between our two organisations and this new partnership will strengthen an existing relationship that is already delivering advancements in control and automation technology."