New markets, growing of young talent, and digital transformation. Just a few aspects that Brandauer has had to consider to remain one of the “nimble ones”, as CEO Rowan Crozier put it.
As an SME manufacturer of high speed progression tooling and contract precision stamped metal components, Rowan says that a challenging economic backdrop means it’s survival of the fittest. Various steps have insured this, but I can’t imagine the Brandauer boss would be too happy with us suggesting his company has merely survived.
On the contrary, as he proudly told me about two recent Kings Awards, proactive steps to improve apprenticeships, and successful growth in new markets, this is a company that appears to be thriving, despite the challenges.
Rowan also discussed, as mentioned, the benefits the company is seeing in its technology investments. Robust and impactful digital transformation is often seen as an aspiration for SMEs, be it down to cost or a perceived lack of digital skills.
Adopting new technology at Brandauer hasn’t come without its challenges, but the company has been able to invest time in training and has come up with smart adoption techniques.
This has resulted in an impressive win from a sustainability perspective – a new MRP system allows the company to control, to a microgram, how much scrap metal it creates. This is all part of a net-zero by 2030 strategy, something that the company and its customers care deeply about, according to Rowan.
As for ventures into new markets, this only comes about when a company sticks to what its good at. Which sounds slightly contradictory, but as Rowan points out, the knowledge and expertise existed for Brandauer to pivot and successfully break into the razor blade market, to give one example.
This came about from, as Rowan put it, spotting the opportunity in everything and through selling decades worth of knowledge. Brandauer was manufacturing pen nibs from as early as the 1800s. Through the years it has had to pivot – through two world wars and a global pandemic. It has a long history of spotting opportunities.
I implore you to read on for Rowan’s insights and advice. This is an SEM manufacturer from Birmingham modernising, exporting, and investing its way to good things.
