B&R Enclosures

B&R ENCLOSURES MANUFACTURING

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roudly Australian, independent, and family-owned and operated for over 65 years, B&R Enclosures (B&R) holds a reputation of excellence.

As Australia’s largest enclosure manufacturer and electrical equipment integration specialist, B&R is well-established as an industry leader in the design and manufacture of enclosure and cabinet solutions.

“We provide complete enclosure solutions for the protection of equipment and the safety of people who install and operate them,” introduces Co-CEO, Ben Bridges.

The wide-ranging and expansive portfolio of B&R’s product offering – with over 1,000 standard enclosure types suited to a myriad of applications – is complemented by its ever-growing footprint. Although its headquarters, branches and manufacturing facilities are spread primarily across Australia, B&R also hosts offices in Asia and the Gulf.

“We support our growth by being a manufacturer that operates well within the markets we service.

This often means we have an advantage over businesses that are manufacturing in distant locations.

DESIGNED TO P R OT E C T Attentive customer service, innovative design and superior quality run at the core of B&R Enclosures. We discuss advanced manufacturing and an Industry 4.0 future with Co-CEO Ben Bridges Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Ryan Gray 2 | APAC Outlook issue 56

“We are a good-sized operator, able to effectively manufacture products in shorter runs than many competitors.”

With the four core virtues of quality, innovation, service and value fuelling the company’s growth and successes, B&R offers standard and customised enclosure solutions catering to applications in process automation, power distribution and control, switch disconnection, junction and marshalling,

Ben Bridges, Co-CEO, B&R Enclosures

motor control centres, climate control, data and communications.

Supporting this diversified and varied offering are five separate divisions united under the B&R

umbrella: Hazardous Areas, Industrial, Residential/Commercial, Data ICT and Defence, with each offering a bespoke approach to its respective market segment.

“Together these divisions share the strengths, resources and experience of the founding company to provide attentive customer service, innovative design and superior quality,” continues Bridges.

APAC Outlook issue 56 | 3

B&R ENCLOSURES MANUFACTURING

B&R is a company that doesn’t shy away from challenges. This is evidenced by the decades that B&R has spent working with the mining industry, and its success and experience in delivering solutions in challenging environments.

KEY PROJECTS - OYU TOLGOI MINE Oyu Tolgoi is a combined open pit and underground mining project in Mongolia’s South Gobi Desert that primarily produces copper.

Jacobs Engineering is responsible for providing engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services to implement the material handling systems for the new underground mine and associated infrastructure, delivered over a five to seven-year period.

Jacobs Engineering approached ABB regarding the supply of PLC panels, local control stations and custom power distribution boards, each of which needed to be suitable for use outside, in the underground mine and in buildings located on the mine site.

Based on recommendations by Rio Tinto and a previous working relationship with ABB, B&R Enclosures was approached by ABB to design, manufacture and integrate electrical components and instruments into these products.

Mine sites are typically located in remote environments and exposed to elements that can be ruinous for equipment, B&R responds to this need for reliable protection by designing and manufacturing suitable enclosure solutions for mining sites to prevent expensive breakdowns, maintenance and injury.

In the residential field, B&R offers a range of product solutions to suit single dwellings, multi-tenancy buildings or commercial premises, with all products complying to Australian Supply Authority rules and regulations.

The range includes modular solutions for power distribution in commercial spaces such as shopping centres, large office complexes, and all manner of industrial, infrastructure and mining applications.

Meanwhile, B&R’s Data and ICT products range from server racks and cabinets to uninterruptible power supply to weatherproof 19-inch rack enclosures.

Midway Metals Midway Metals local processing facilities mean Australian industries have the stainless steel materials and products they need, when they need them.

You can access a full range of topquality solutions through one supplier – processed to various lengths, widths, thicknesses, finishes and grades plus superior sheet flatness.

Choose Australian processed Stainless Steel from our two dedicated stainless steel service centres in Brisbane and Melbourne for true reliability, confidence and quality.

We lead the industry in both quality and innovation of product lines, services and availability with seven warehouses across Australia.

Midway Metals supports our customers, with managing their supply chain • 100% focused on stainless steel • Australia’s Largest Stainless Steel Inventory • Unparalleled in-house capabilities

PEOPLE AT THE CORE At the backbone of this comprehensive offering, the company maintains what Bridges describes as, “an agile people-centric culture”.

“The workplace culture at B&R is characterised by a willingness to build the capabilities required to improve our manufacturing processes,” he continues.

“Our people management is really about providing roles and opportunities for individuals to get

In 2022, Midway Metals celebrates our 40th year. An Australian owned company and supporter of domestic manufacturing and industry, we offer complete stainless steel solutions, exceptional service and on time deliveries.

Midway Metals are a proud supply partner of B & R Enclosures, supporting their quality stainless steel products with our unique and specialised surface finishes to assist with superior corrosion resistance for the longevity of their finished product ducts and projects.

midwaymetals.com.au

4 | APAC Outlook issue 56

Steely certainty for unpredictable times.

Australia’s preferred choice for top-quality stainless steel.

Midway Metals is proud to offer customers warehousing, processing and delivery facilities across the country.

More than ever, you can’t beat the confidence of having Australia’s largest range of stainless-steel products at your fingertips.

• Supply certainty: No delays, whatever your project size or complexity.

• Fast turnaround, just-in-time delivery: Shorter lead times, always on schedule.

• Renowned capability & quality: World-class stainless steel, processed to specific requirements.

• Expertise on hand: Experienced local specialists to help your project shine.

Process & produce

sheets, plates, coils, slit bands, polished sheets and coils and flat bars

Plasma cut and drill

plates to size

Band saw & cut

long products to length

Manufacture

plate flanges to relevant standards

Pipe | Tube | Bar | Fittings | Flanges | Valves | Coil Sheet | Plate | Welding Consumables | Cleaning Chemicals

Albury

02 6041 4000

Brisbane

07 3382 9500

Melbourne

03 9791 5111

Newcastle

02 4088 2600

Perth

08 9248 6944

Sydney

02 9670 8900

Townsville

07 4728 8777

midwaymetals.com.au

qualified and excited to do better, to experience challenges at work.

Depending on the needs of the business or the market, we can move quickly, and our people move with us.”

As such, B&R employees are valued and cared for, with ample opportunity for professional development. This emphasis on empowerment is critical in ensuring a sense of security for staff, encouraging agility and guaranteeing that they are willing to thrive in alignment with the company as it continues to introduce the latest technologies.

B&R’s strengths in managing relationships with staff and clients, also translates to the way in which it handles the supply chain.

“B&R is an expert at supply chain management and often provides this service for customers,” states Bridges.

“Supplier and partner relationships are crucial to B&R as the organisation uses a variety of raw and finished goods in the manufacture of products from simple metal enclosures to integrated electrical solutions.”

These critical relationships have risen to the fore now more than ever, as global supply chain disruptions continue to threaten 6 | APAC Outlook issue 56

the reliable delivery of components manufactured overseas.

“As a manufacturer of enclosures and data racks from metal sheet, supply chain relationships, particularly local suppliers in Australia are crucial,” Bridges comments.

THE JOURNEY TO DIGITALISATION The topic of improving manufacturing processes extends both to people, and technology, fostering the symbiosis that can exist between the two to advance operations. This way, the workforce does not feel resistant, nor are their duties threatened by the latest investments.

As Ben Bridges attests, “when we do bring in extra equipment, like automated robotic equipment, the feeling is definitely more of excitement.” Indeed, it is a holistic approach that B&R adopts to capability building, furthering the capabilities of its people adjacent to manufacturing systems and processes.

Fuelling this investment is the creation of new products, the desire to explore new markets, and improving output and product quality.

B&R is currently making major strides on a journey towards Industry 4.0 which aims to digitise the business to enable integration with major project operators, improving efficiency and reducing costs and supply times across the entire project supply chain.

Through advanced manufacturing, B&R is actively moving from paperbased processes to technology-driven solutions to digitise many aspects of the business, from interactions with

B&R ENCLOSURES MANUFACTURING

customers during the design process through to developing a supply plan and scheduling jobs on the shop floor.

The company is currently undertaking a major project to provide an end-to-end fully digitised workflow solution. Digital integration software is being incrementally implemented using agile project management methodology. The system uses 3-D technology to

co-design custom solutions with clients, then create project templates, chart the manufacturing process, and schedule and assign tasks through to delivery date. It replaces many existing paper-based processes and represents a significant change in day-to-day operations.

“At B&R we’re using agile methods to drive continuous improvement through small but frequent changes,

KEY PROJECTS PARAMATTA LIGHT RAIL STAGE ONE B&R was chosen to supply custom metering distribution boards to New South Wales’ Parramatta Light Rail project, which is being constructed to connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD. Metering distribution boards distribute power from a supply authority pillar to a service protection device. Electricity current is fed through the meter and down to the distribution section of the board, ensuring power supply remains safe. Electrical and telecommunications services company, Eleserve, won the Parramatta Light Rail (PLR) contract to supply the underground power networks for Stage One initially, and contracted B&R to carry out the work.

The turnaround time for B&R’s work – from design to manufacture – was eight weeks once the company received approval from PLR. The design, coupled with B&R’s high-quality materials, complied with Parramatta City Council’s specifications to ensure all its boards across the city remained consistent. The metering distribution boards were created using the unique and versatile Monarch IP enclosure system, which is IP66 rated for use in outdoor environments. The enclosure system was manufactured from 316 stainless steel with an orbital sanded finish. This was the finish requested by PLR, a style which takes the shine off the stainless steel and features a swirling pattern. Due to the high-quality delivery of Stage One of the project, Parramatta Light Rail was impressed with B&R and engaged the team – via Eleserve again - for further work on Stage Three of the project.

to transform without creating massive disruption.”

By implementing a more efficient workflow, B&R is providing faster and more comprehensive services to customers, whilst simultaneously improving jobs and the working environment for employees.

Recent strategic investments over the last few years include the purchase of a fully automated fibre laser welding machine, an automatic punching and bending machine, and a laser cutting machine.

Investment in robotic machinery and new technologies is undertaken strategically to maintain and improve B&R’s proposition in the market.

“Electrical and component integration into our enclosures is an increasingly core part of the business. We used to manufacture the enclosure and give it to switchboard builders to do the electrical integration, and now we have started to bring that work in-house providing extra value to these end customers.”

A critical move in maintaining B&R’s competitive market edge, this investment in the latest technologies has been instrumental in the company’s recent success in winning a Queensland Government Cross River Rail project tender.

Looking ahead, B&R will continue to support the numerous infrastructure and major projects taking place across Australia and the wider APAC region. Continuing in the same vein as the company has done for the past 67 years, B&R will remain alert to identifying and leveraging new opportunities for growth across a range of markets.

B&R ENCLOSURES Tel: + 61 7 3714 1111 Enquiries@brenclosures.com.au www.brenclosures.com.au APAC Outlook issue 56 | 7

B&R ENCLOSURES 51 Stradbroke Street Heathwood, Queensland 4110 Australia Tel: + 61 7 3714 1111 Enquiries@brenclosures.com.au www.brenclosures.com.au

PRODUCED BY APAC OUTLOOK MAGAZINE