The power of investment

British manufacturer of large generators Brush Electrical Machines Ltd has a 50 per cent share of the world’s commercial and industrial market for turbo generators. The company has seen significant positive changes in the past four years which are set to boost this share even further. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to sales and marketing director Richard Guest to find out more.

Established in Loughborough in the UK back in 1879, Brush Electrical Machines Ltd was founded to produce generators for the industrial and commercial markets. Originally named the Anglo-American Brush Electric Light Corporation, the aim was to exploit the first electric dynamo, the invention of American Charles Francis Brush. With operations in the Netherlands added in 1999 and manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic joining the company in 2000 following strategic acquisitions, the company’s dedication to providing generators worldwide was clear very early on and has been consistent since.

Today, Brush continues to have operations worldwide, having now added the US, Australia and Japan to its operations and enjoys a more than 50 per cent share of the global market for turbo generators and transformer manufacture in the 30 to 125 megawatt category, which continues to be its main business and core focus. There is also an increasing focus on ecologically responsible power generation solutions.

Best of old and new

Sales and marketing director Richard Guest told Industry Europe how the recent changes at Brush have created some very modern updates to this long-established company. He said, “There have been substantial positive changes since a new management team was appointed in 2008, which is pretty recent history for a company that started in 1879. The foundations for change were laid in 2008 when Brush was acquired by Melrose Plc, who wanted the company to keep the strong Brush brand name and the extensive engineering expertise we have across the company while harmonising both the generator and transformer activities under the Brush name. This constitutes the Brush Turbo Generator division. Since 2008, the investment from Melrose has been considerable. I’ve really noticed it as I have recently returned to Brush following 10 years away.”

Mr Guest is clear that the substantial changes at Brush were an important factor in him accepting the company’s offer, with the new and improved Brush a major player on the global generator market. Each of the company’s four manufacturing operations have benefited from Melrose’s commitment to investing in the latest machining, winding and test facilities in addition to sophisticated 3D CAD systems and analytical tools. So now they are all fully stocked with state-of-the-art equipment for the highly experienced workforce to utilise.

Mr Guest explained, “All areas of the business in each location have seen investment

in recent years and we are really making the most of the opportunities this investment has brought. It’s a very exciting time to be a part of the Brush team because we truly have the best of our history, the best of financial support and the best of potential for continued success.”

All about the service

The after market business has also benefited from the investment focus. As Brush is the largest turbo generator manufacturer in the world by some considerable way, it sells its products mainly through turbine manufacturing companies – even including its competitors – and its after market service is available to service all its end users. A key element in the growth of this area of the business is the company’s relatively recent acquisition of the American after market servicing and engineering company GMS, which is now Brush GMS. Mr Guest pointed out that the growing need for a comprehensive, reliable after market suited the growth aspirations of the company, with its 356day, 24-hours a day online and telephone support service giving a comprehensive real time service to customers worldwide.

The Brush training academy, based at its Loughborough, UK, head office, is another example of the Brush commitment to building the business for the benefit of its worldwide turbo generator customer base. Mr Guest explained, “Under Melrose the training centre has become almost unrecognisable in its modernity; it’s a world-class facility and we make the most of it. It’s a total transformation, with excellent R&D facilities as well as offering a great working environment; there’s even a new green space right in the centre of our Loughborough site that provides a

naturally relaxing place for our employees to take their lunch break.”

With the Melrose ‘investment outlook’ a positive virtual circle that has paid for itself many times over through increased productivity, the Brush workforce is also encouraged to share their suggestions and ideas. The managing director engages proactively with members of each team to discuss ideas during weekly coffee meetings and there is also an elected employee forum where anyone can comment on any aspect of the company.

In order to continue to build on the strength of Brush following the considerable investment of Melrose, the future of the company will also look toward greener energy issues. With its current main industrial sectors of industrial power, marine power and oil and gas, its penetration of the renewable energy forms of solar, geothermal and hybrid gas/wind power has recently seen its turbo generation expertise extended into new fields. The hybrid gas/ wind-power schemes include combined-cycle gas fired power units employed as a supplementary support to wind farms to allow the combination to provide base-load power solutions. By entering these markets the company is retaining both its current market share and penetrating new markets. n