5 minute read
BIG INTERVIEW: REGROUPING ITS ENERGIES
by 3S Media
Five years after its inception, Brandex is rebranding to BRX Group and focusing on its core strengths and competencies. Meetings hears from its directors on what this means for the company in the long term.
Jack Smit and Gabi Babinszky are wellknown faces within South Africa’s local exhibition circuit. The duo have earned a solid reputation as being among the country’s leading audiovisual suppliers. The quality of their work and track record exemplify why their services continue to be in high demand. After seeing through an incredibly difficult period as they navigated the Covid-19 pandemic together with their staff, five years after launching their company, Brandex is now rebranding to BRX Group.
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BRX Group directors: Jack Smit and Gabi Babinszky “Being an audiovisual supplier primarily servicing the events and exhibitions industry, it was inevitable that our business took a knock during this time, with most of our projects being cancelled. However, we remained proactive and the changes and challenges that came with the pandemic, which were completely unprecedented for most, forced us to explore other avenues on how we could best utilise our existing resources, rather than cutting them completely,” comments Gabi, a director at BRX Group.
BRX Group considers itself fortunate to have had an established network, which is in part what was able to see it through the past two years in lockdown.
“We were very lucky in that we were able to leverage our client relationships and retain our most valuable asset: our staff. While we did not deviate from what we do best, which is audiovisual, like many, we had no choice but to broaden the scope of our work and pivot to benefit from the opportunity presented by virtual and hybrid events, as well as permanent audiovisual installations,” notes Jack, also a director at BRX Group. WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR BRX GROUP
So why has BRX Group chosen to relaunch during this time, and what can we expect going forward?
“We celebrate five years in business this year. To keep up with the rapidly changing industry needs over the past two years, as well as the evolution of our business model, which has transformed over the past years to focus purely on audiovisual services, we felt that a change was in order,” highlights Gabi.
It has been quite a journey to get the BRX Group to where it is today, adds Jack.
“Like so many of our industry colleagues, we weren’t sure if we would survive this period, but with a huge amount of passion, perseverance and well-timed collaborations, we have been able to successfully weather the storm,” he says.
BRX Group may have rebranded to a different name, but its client promise of excellent service is unfaltering and both Jack and Gabi maintain that it has been key in the BRX Group’s ability to forge ahead.
“We have consistently emphasised superior customer service as one of our unique selling points, and it is an aspect we could and would never compromise on,” Jack underscores.
BRX Group is currently headquartered in Midrand, Gauteng, but has assisted on projects across the country. With plans to expand to Cape Town, the company hopes to grow its footprint and on-the-ground presence in the coming years, and the directors are confident that a quality service offering will help them achieve this objective.
“It is only through careful planning and resource allocation that we have been able to not just survive for this period of time, but also still refine our business model and be a first-choice supplier for the events and exhibitions industry,” stresses Gabi.
KEY LIFE LESSONS
Not wanting to let down their staff, Jack and Gabi worked tirelessly to find a way forward for BRX Group through the pandemic.
“We definitely learned that we could get by with having a lot less than previously, and that not everything is a given; only grace,” notes Gabi.
After realising that they needed to streamline the company and its existing offering, today, Jack and Gabi are reaping the rewards.
“We have since kept the BRX Group operation as lean as possible,” Jack declares.
By changing the model, the directors of BRX Group say that they are able to prioritise their staff and be even more productive and efficient than ever before, with the newly focused business giving them the agility they need to operate within a space that is second nature to them.
Another important lesson learnt by the directors of the BRX Group during lockdown is that relationships are key, especially in tough times.
“We found ourselves in situations where it is only because of our reputation that we have secured potential business. Similarly, we have been asked to give a recommendation for a specific supplier or service provider, and we will provide a name based on not just who we know operates within a certain space, but who we know are really great to work with,” concludes Gabi.
ABOUT THE BRX GROUP
Launched in 2017, BRX Group is one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of rigging, lighting, sound and visuals, providing complete audiovisual solutions suited to all eventing requirements and budgets. No matter how big or small your event is, BRX Group has got you covered. With stock to meet every eventing and exhibition need, and a courteous and experienced handson team, the company will take care of every aspect of your project – both on- and off-site – from planning and design to equipment supply and installation. At BRX Group, it’s not just about providing you with an AV system, it’s about exceeding your expectations. BRX Group’s full range of in-house services means that you have a one-stop-shop solution all under one roof.
- Gabi Babinszky
- Jack Smit
