Brain Industries Managing Director, Gillian Summers says the firm’s accreditation as a finalist in the 2020 Hunter Business Awards is a credit to the skills of Brain’s genius team and proof that manufacturing in the Hunter is alive and well.
Brain is a finalist for the Excellence in Import or Export Award.
More Recognition of Brain Industries’ Manufacturing Capability
The nomination follows Brain being named Runner Up for Manufacturer of the Year (less than 50 employees) in the 2020 Hunter Manufacturing Awards. In awarding Brain the highly commended award the judges said…
“Brain Industries has shown a strong resilience, empathy and innovative thinking in the way they operate. They were able to achieve growth even in difficult times and have strong community focus and environmental commitment.”
Read more about Brain’s nomination for the HMA Award here.
Recent Brain Industries’ export success
Ms Summers says a number of Brain’s Hunter designed and manufactured products have been enjoying export success. These include its pneumatic pumps, self-filling tankers, and safety refuge chambers.
“While not high in export volume, these products are high price items,” Ms Summers says.
“Brain’s current focus is on growing export markets for these highly saleable, high-ticket products,” she says.
Brain exported two Air Loader 500 pumps to Nigeria for deployment on oil and gas platforms. It has sold pumps to Malaysia and the Middle East and a self-filling tanker to a New Zealand mine. Refuge chambers manufactured for Brain’s partner, Strata Worldwide, have been sold to Vietnam in 2020 and South Africa in 2019.
Brain has two other products with export potential. Its hydraulic fluid injury prevention system – Hydraguard – saves workers from injury and death across industries that use hydraulics. The second product is a newly developed, load sensing, washer called Visyload.
Brain’s export strategy
Ms Summers says Brain worked with AusIndustry to develop its integrated national and international marketing strategy. Distribution agreements with ADNOC UAE – one of the world’s leading energy producers – and Middle East based oil and gas sector supply company Sigma have been established. She says the strategy also included a new website, search engine optimisation, email marketing, media and public relations and, prior to COVID-19, trade show attendance in key sectors.
“We’ve been a long time supplier to the mining sector but, particularly for export, we’re also targetting the oil and gas, tunneling, and defence sectors. ”
“We are refining our export strategy over the coming months, taking into account limitations created by COVID-19. Exporting carries greater risk but has the potential to contribute significant growth for our Hunter based facility and workforce.”
“There are benefits for our local economy and domestic clients from our increased export capability.”
The Hunter Business Awards
The award recognises leading examples of businesses that are exporting their products. Businesses that are forging a strong reputation for Australian products and services in international markets. This applies to businesses that are exporting directly or through a third party.
The Hunter Business Awards is an initiative of the Hunter Business Chamber. This year there are more than 50 finalists across 17 categories. The winners will be announced at a gala event on Friday 20 November 2020 at the Civic Theatre, Newcastle.
