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Brisbane based B&R used its Boeing contract to expand into the defence industry.
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Boeing’s recent agreement with B&R Enclosures for the delivery of racks and brackets has helped the family-owned SME to expand into new sectors, Boeing outlined this week.
Previously, Brisbane based B&R was a producer of cabinets for both industrial and domestic clients. Now, they have had the opportunity to expand into the defence industry as part of Boeing’s Currawong battlespace communications system.
Chris Bridges-Taylor, executive director at B&R Enclosures outlined how the SME has used this contract as a springboard.
“Boeing Defence Australia engaged us to develop brackets for high capacity line-of-sight radio and videoconferencing equipment”, Bridges-Taylor noted.
“That initial piece of work was the foundation for shaping our defence business which now includes a broad range of data and electrical custom enclosure, as well as integration and control solutions.
“The defence industry’s stringent quality and accreditation requirements have escalated our investment in equipment such as robotic laser welding and 3D technology to enhance our physical production processes. We are now recognised for our ability to achieve highly technical outcomes for the challenges of the defence industry.”
Boeing’s Project Currawong employs some 200 Australian businesses throughout the supply chain.
Peter Farquharson, Boeing Defence Australia’s head of industry engagement congratulated the work of SMEs throughout the manufacturing process.
“Our local supply chain provides agility, certainty, and an ability to work at pace.
“In return, the complexity of defence work delivers opportunities for SMEs to build sophisticated manufacturing skills and reap benefits beyond one specific program.”
[Related: Quickstep completes acquisition of Boeing subsidiary]
