The B&R Enclosures History
A family owned and operated company specialising in the manufacture and supply of enclosures designed for Australian conditions.
B&R Enclosures was founded by Dick Bridges in 1955, specilising in the sheet fabrication including electrical enclosures for domestic metering applications. With little capital but great enthusiasm for operating his own business and a determination to success, Dick commenced operations in his backyard in Adelaide, South Australia.
It was this family determination that has sustained B&R's growth into manufacturing plants in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney, 10 locations nationally and an international international network of distributors, allowing them to increase the range, availability, quality and service to their customers.
Now under the direction of the founder’s son, Ken and daughter, Chris, B&R Enclosures has grown to be the largest manufacturer of domestic, commercial and industrial enclosures in Australia.
The company remains an Australian family owned and operated business and encompasses four divisions: B&R Industrial, B&R Data Systems, B&R Domestic Commercial trading through Hager B&R and B&R Ex Systems Pty Ltd. Each division has a focus on unique needs of different market segments. Together these divisions share the strengths, resources and experience of the founding company to provide attentive customer service, innovative design and superior quality products at a competitive price.
From an early stage, B&R Enclosures was a dedicated domestic metering enclosure manufacturer for the Australian market. Today B&R manufacture products for a variety of industries and applications. B&R’s offering to the market includes electrical enclosures for residential and commercial buildings, new infrastructure developments, industrial controls, mine processing, oil and gas industry and data centres.
In 1994, B&R Enclosures started a successful partnership with Hager, a European electrical solutions manufacturer to offer the Australian domestic and commercial markets a full range of high quality enclosures and switchgear. The Hager B&R joint venture continues to be strong.
In 2006 B&R Data Systems was established catering for the specific needs of the data and communications market. This division is backed by the manufacturing, sales and distribution network of B&R Enclosures with the addition of an experienced, dedicated sales and product development team.
B&R’s offer was further increased with the establishment of B&R Ex Systems Pty Ltd in 2009. This new business subsidiary has the focus on selling hazardous area electrical equipment into chemical, oil, gas and dust filled applications. The development of B&R Ex Systems has meant investing in highly qualified staff and B&R’s third factory, Riverwood Sydney.
As an Australian manufacturer B&R continually faces the challenge of foreign products flooding the market and have recently established a manufacturing facility in China. B&R has been able to maintain its manufacturing position in the market by ensuring their enclosures are of a superior standard in both quality and design.
Certification & Accreditations
B&R is certified and accredited to the following standards: -
- AS/NZS ISO9001:2008. Quality system helps ensure consistent product and traceability.
- AS/NZS 4801:2001. OH&S system protects our work force from dangers of working with sheet metal.
- ASSDA accreditation - Ensures stainless steel products are manufactured to recommended standards
- Lloyds certification
- NATA tested products - independently tested IP ratings
- CE marked - suitable for European markets
History
Key dates in the history of B&R are as follows: -
- 1955 - B&R founded
- 1990 - Formation of Industrial Enclosures Division
- 1994 - Joint venture with Hager to form Hager B&R
- 2002 - Move to new premises in Brisbane to increase capacity
- 2005 - Formation of B&R Data Systems
- 2005 - Extension of Heathwood premises completed
- 2009 - Release of iLINQ, B&R’s bayable enclosure system solution
- 2009 - Formation of B&R Ex Systems
Manufacturing Facilities
Brisbane plant - 18441m² with 2 automated, robotic punching and bending machines, robotic gasket application machinery and more.
Adelaide plant - 8300m² with automated punching and bending machine and more.
