Brandauer has secured its pathway to continued growth. Its 10-year growth plan has been boosted with the onboarding of two high-profile automotive contracts, secured just weeks after a historic management buyout (MBO).
During September, Brandauer changed the course of its history for the first time in 160+ years. The ownership of Brandauer left the founding family and passed into the hands of the current management team. The buyout was led by current CEO Rowan Crozier MBE, Manufacturing Director Stuart Berry, and Non-Executive Chair David Chapman.
Brandauer set out a clear strategic growth plan for the next decade, which not only sets out financial goals of £12 million by 2029, but also shifts the perception of Brandauer from a traditional stamping business to a long-term, precision engineering partner.
But what does a precision engineering partner look like, and how does it add value to our customers?
Historically, Brandauer has been most known for its manufacturing of high-volume precision stamped components. But over the last five years, new technology and capabilities have seen their product offering extend beyond the manufacturing of these components.
Now, Brandauer can stage develop and supply the component and assemblies from one-offs, all the way through to high-volume manufacturing. From early-stage advisory and DFM support, through rapid prototyping and validation, to full production tool design, manufacture, try-out and process automation. Brandauer’s capabilities are much beyond what has been traditionally known.
LORD International case study: ideal clients tap into all elements
Just before the management buyout was completed, Brandauer secured a £4 million exporting deal with LORD International to implement an automated manufacturing line for razor blade housing, coupled with the design, manufacture and implementation of a complex four-module progression tool. It was the perfect beginning….
What precision engineering looked like for LORD
It began with a virtual concept development (3D CAD iterations of the product) along with a sealed process stage definition. Once these steps were completed in-house, components were laser cut and hand-formed with standard tooling within Brandauer’s Special Products Division. Two cycles of the prototyping runs were completed to ensure that when the component transitioned to a full-scale manufactured solution, any early difficulties could be resolved before a full financial commitment.
Once validation was completed, consultation work took place to understand what solution would best work for LORD to gain maximum value out of their partnership with Brandauer.
A fully implemented production line was settled with the customer, and this production line took advantage of multiple Brandauer solutions. This is what was used.
Brandauer’s press machines with automatic material input and output handling
A 4-module progression tool (Brandauer’s most advanced tooling solution) to manufacture the component
An automatic feed-in/feed-out degreasing line and a fully automated finished strip recoiler.
Collaborative packaging approach with returnable coil packaging for continual re-use
A further cropping and forming tool is developed for in-house use to apply components to a finished component
Post MBO, Brandauer and their team have further secured the growth of the business with the onboarding of 2 high-profile automotive contracts. OEM manufacturer Ford Motor Company and Tier one Automotive supplier based in Eastern Europe.
These two companies are the perfect pieces to the growth puzzle for Brandauer, with both companies contributing not only to the financial goals of the business. But also taking full advantage of multiple precision engineering capabilities within the Brandauer facility to aid them in supplying their clients with the best solutions possible.
Automotive contract wins
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company has collaborated with Brandauer to make history. For the first time in its 163-year history, Brandauer is manufacturing a >250cm OD lamination progression tool. This tool includes an integrated automation to stamp, bond, stack, and skew larger diameter thin gauge stacks for EV applications. This is a manufacturing method that is going to change the game for EV motor production.
Like LORD International, Ford Motor Company has fully leveraged Brandauer’s expertise to ensure they gain maximum value out of the business and project. Some of the services used are:
DFM workshops – Multiple meetings with Brandauer engineers and workshops validate the tool before taking it to manufacturing. This included material utilisation, in-tool stack bonding methods and more.
Tool design – Once concepts had been validated through DFM, an in-depth tool design took place internally with multiple Brandauer skilled engineers working together to provide their fresh perspectives to curate the most optimised automated tool.
VAVE workshops – Brandauer has conducted multiple Value-Added Value Engineered (VAVE) workshops with Ford from the beginning of the project. These projects are designed to confirm maximum value for the customer, working with them to change the tool design and manufacturing approach all to improve costs and efficiency for both businesses.
Laser cut prototyping – Like LORD International, Ford utilised Brandauer’s prototyping facility. For this project, it was to validate materials used to ensure the performance of the component is optimal for what the customer requires. This also allows for both Brandauer and Ford to get their hands on the component and provide a physical reference throughout the design process.
Machine selection – Extensive research has been conducted to understand which press machine would be best utilised for this project. Ford utilised Brandauer’s expertise when selectinga press machine to ensure all project budgets and investments were best utilised.
Tool manufacture – The main selling point for this collaboration comes from Brandauer’s tool manufacturing expertise. A full tool will be manufactured with a collaborative approach throughout the whole project.
Training and best practice sharing once the tool is complete – Once the tool has been manufactured for Ford Motor Company. This does not mean the project has come to an end. This project has given Brandauer a chance to try out innovative solutions, and learning will continue for the company once it is finished. Along with this, training will be provided to Ford Motor Company to ensure proper utilisation of the tool and transition to Ford’s in-house manufacturing goes smoothly for all parties.
Tier one automotive supplier
Alongside Ford Motor Company, Brandauer has also partnered with a tier one automotive supplier in Eastern Europe to produce an automated production line, only this time with assembly within the production tool to maximise efficiency within production. Alongside both LORD and Ford, this customer ensured full utilisation of Brandauer’s expertise throughout their project.
Feasibility workshops – Throughout this process, Brandauer has been working closely with the customer on dedicated feasibility workshops. These workshops not only aid Brandauer in the smooth implementation of the component manufacturing, but they also allow the customer to get a better understanding of Brandauer’s methods, ways of working and time to develop a closer collaborative partnership between the two teams.
Tool design – Alongside manufacturing the tool, Brandauer has taken full control over the design of said tool. Brandauer is working collaboratively to design a tool that can be manufactured in the most effective and efficient manner. This also allows Brandauer to understand the component and really embed themselves in the manufacturing process to understand if anything were to go wrong.
Process development – As this project is using automated capabilities, a collaborative effort has been set up to develop this automation process. By leveraging Brandauer’s expertise, the customer is leveraging previously gained Brandauer experience included within the manufacturing of their component, saving all parties time and money.
Machine selection – Brandauer has over 160 years of press machine experience and, more recently, gained experience in producing automated production lines. This experience is being used in the machine selection. A stringent scoring system has been developed by Brandauer to best select a machine that aligns with the customer’s priorities and requirements.
Tool manufacture – Alongside the tool design, Brandauer is taking full control of the manufacturing of the modular tool. This modular tooling system is Brandauer’s speciality and a type of tool we have spent many years developing to perfect.
Funding structure developed to smooth the investment profile – Even for tier 1 automotive companies. Investing in a top-level tool and production capability can be very expensive, and sometimes (especially for other start-ups and SME’s) they need assistance to help implement these big investments into their business. That’s why Brandauer offers a funded structure to make payments that help the customer implement this solution more easily. With this method, an initial investment is taken at the beginning of the project and the remaining balance is paid once the project is completed and production begins!
Industry-specific certification adoption (IATF) – to implement this project, we are working with the customers’ requirements whilst looking out for Brandauer’s future. That is why, for this project, we have dedicated ourselves to fully certify for IATF and implement this by 2027. Brandauer has already been working to these high automotive standards, but is now working to ensure the full certification can be implemented for many years to come.
Why are these projects important going post-MBO?
For Brandauer, these new projects aren’t just a symbol of new business; it’s a symbol of a new beginning. These two projects aren’t just a simple exchange of drawing and component manufacturing.
Both companies have recognised Brandauer’s expertise in multiple sectors of the process. This all results in a range of benefits for both parties, including better collaborative approaches, better communication, faster lead times and cutting out third-party suppliers so the end-to-end project can be completed under one roof.
This project symbolises a new wave for Brandauer; it brings the post-MBO 10-year growth plan into full effect, reinforcing the company’s financial goals by 2030. These projects are solidifying this pathway to success in a new era for the precision engineering company.
Brandauer’s commitment to IATF certification
With this new project comes a brand-new certification within the automotive sector: IATF 16949.
When Brandauer collaborated with the tier one automotive supplier, a customer requirement was a commitment to full IATF implementation, and Brandauer, already adhering to the quality standard, has brought a fully implemented solution in to fulfil this request.
By 2027, Brandauer will become officially IATF certified, and it will be in place for all automotive work Brandauer completes. For current automotive customers of Brandauer, it doesn’t change much. Brandauer has worked to IATF standards for a long time, and implementing IATF is just a way to officiate the precision work Brandauer already carries out.
The implementation of IATF is strengthening Brandauer’s already strong portfolio of accreditations, with full implementation of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 already in place for the business. You can read more about Brandauer’s quality standards here, where you can also download the certifications!
Rowan Crozier MBE, CEO and one of three new owners of Brandauer, states: “We knew the management buyout was the right decision in the long term for Brandauer, and securing these new contracts has further solidified that for everyone here. It not only brings us owners some validation in our growth plan, but it gives the whole Brandauer team some peace of mind that we are here to stay and looking to take everyone to the next level of precision engineering.
“The team and I are very excited and honoured to welcome these two new projects on board. We are already making huge progress between them and are excited to fully integrate them into the Brandauer family, alongside the long-awaited IATF certification.”
More than just a manufacturer
In line with their growth plan comes a big shift for the company for the first time in its history. Over the last five years, Brandauer has made significant investments in other key areas of the business, including areas such as WEDM machining, low volume “toolless” manufacturing methods and rapid prototyping facilities.
This is changing the way Brandauer has traditionally operated, and the shift has now seen them offer their customers an end-to-end, precision engineering partner. Gone are the days of Brandauer being “just a stamping business”… now Brandauer can offer an extension to your team with a partnership approach from day one!
Securing manufacturing for another 164 years!
Brandauer has officially landed in its new post-MBO era. The MBO has not disrupted the core of the business; it has reinforced them. With leadership fully aligned, invested and empowered, Brandauer is accelerating towards a future defined by capability, collaboration and long-term value creation. The changes being made to secure growth are not changes from the Brandauer that customers trust; they are enhancements that strengthen their position as a precision engineering partner for the next generation of manufacturing.
The projects secured post-MBO mark only the beginning of what the next decade will hold. With new technology, new accreditations, new customers and new talent joining the Brandauer family, we are setting foundations that will carry us well beyond our 2035 goals. The journey ahead is one of continuous improvement, expanding capabilities, deepening partnerships and shaping solutions that redefine what’s possible in precision engineering.
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