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After a devastating lithium battery fire destroyed the facility of a Queensland defence electronics manufacturer Elexon Electronics in August, the company has worked around the clock to forge a bright new future.
Bouncing Back: Elexon's Recovery Strategy Following the Recent Blaze
After a devastating lithium battery fire destroyed the facility of a Queensland electronics manufacturer Elexon Electronics in August, the company has worked around the clock to forge a bright new future.
The Brisbane-based company has turned tragedy into triumph, establishing a new facility in record time while working with customers to offer interim solutions - the mark of a true innovator.
“Seeing our entire facility reduced to rubble was incredibly difficult for the team, left to pick up the pieces and rebuild what took us nearly 20 years to achieve,” said Elexon Electronics CEO, Frank Faller.
“The only way forward was to find immediate solutions for our customers as we removed tools and test gear we could salvage, searching for a temporary facility and a plan for the future.
“This was all done while also working with investigators and insurers to establish the cause of the fire and subsequent repairs”.
Competitors stepped in to help
Elexon Electronics was offered a helping hand by customers, clients and, in a heartwarming display of industry comradery, even competitors stepped in to assist.
“We are truly blown away and deeply grateful for the outpouring of support the local community offered,” said Mr Faller.
“Not only did local businesses, families and staff help us out, but so did our competitors who understand that this industry is stronger if we work together.
“Support from incredible companies like IntelliDesign, Crystalaid, Masters&Young, Extel Technologies, GPC, Diablo Tools and Entech helped keep us not only stay afloat but mainly fulfil our commitments to customers. It was great to see that industry associations we are members of such as Defence Teaming Centre and AIDN reached out and helped through their network.
“Particularly vital help, we received from Suba Engineering and HW Technologies who both assisted us by quickly securing the equipment we needed.
“On top of that, our customers were incredibly patient and trusting of us, which we are eternally grateful for.”
Moving but not far
Elexon Electronics had called the fire damaged facility home since it was established in 2006, but after a nearly two-decade run it was time to find a new site.
The Elexon Electronics team established a temporary office in the sister company’s Titley Scientific warehouse across the road while working tirelessly to secure a suitable location.
A new site just 1.5km from the old building was secured, at 209 Leitchs Road in Brendale, offering a larger 3000sqm footprint for the growing manufacturer.
“We were very lucky to have found this building, but of course it’s very difficult for our team after so many years in the old facility,” said Mr Faller.
“The new site gives us the space to grow until we hopefully build our dream facility at the Mill Technological Park in Brendale, a project that has been on the cards for the Moreton Bay region and Elexon for a while.”
Within a matter of weeks Elexon Electronics had established a new production space and a temporary production facility at its new location, which is due to be finished by the end of January - just five months after the devastating fire.
“Getting an all-new facility up and running in such a short period of time has been a tremendous undertaking,” said Mr Faller.
“It simply would not have been possible without the help of industry, government, partners and as we’ve spoken about before - even competing companies that stepped in to help!”
Indo-Pacific 2023 saw Elexon back in the game
Elexon Electronics has much to celebrate from recent months, despite the tragic setback, and even managed to exhibit at Indo-Pacific this month.
“Indo-Pacific was a turning point for Elexon Electronics, showcasing our bright new future to existing and new customers - like a phoenix from the ashes!”
“We presented our sensor technologies and smart monitoring solutions that we plan to supply to defence. It was exciting to be there and be able to share the good news that Elexon is back and will operate on even higher level than before,” proudly shared Mr. Faller.
“In November, we successfully started producing mining markers and beacons for our sister company, Elexon Mining, who’s been effected by the fire incident with us. We started manufacturing a new product, IoT devices for our new mining customer, and we also delivered a couple of exciting projects for defence customers,” said Mr Faller.
“To have achieved this just months after losing everything is testament to the entire team and community surrounding us, showing that we are capable of just about anything!
Advancing industry standards
Following the devastating fire, Elexon Electronics has worked extensively with industry experts to develop safe storage and handling strategies for Li-batteries.
Thanks to being members of AIDN and part of the defence community, Elexon has also engaged with the Queensland University of Technology to support the advancement of legislation and standards for Li-batteries usage and storage.
“Elexon Electronics has taken its lithium battery safety mission one step further. Our research team will collaborate with Elexon to advance industry standards to help prevent catastrophes like this from affecting other businesses,” said Associate Professor Joshua Watts (Director of the Energy Storage Research Group) at QUT.
The recent challenges Elexon faced due to the fire have reinforced the importance of belonging to a community. The collaboration within the defence community has proven invaluable, showcasing the power of unity in overcoming adversity.
