Brandauer seals £1.5 million Indian export deal at Blechexpo

Brandauer’s Rowan Crozier (pictured left) with Auric Metal Finishers’ David Harris

Two West Midlands’ manufacturers are celebrating 40 years of working together with a major export order secured at Blechexpo taking place 7-10 November in Stuttgart. Brandauer, one of the world’s leading independent metal stampers, has joined forces with Coventry’s Auric Metal Finishers to design, develop and supply bespoke EloPin push fit-connectors for a Tier One automotive supplier in India. The £1.5 million order will see the Birmingham-based company produce up to 30 million parts annually in 2025 and will help create new jobs in the region.

Brandauer CEO Rowan Crozier said: “This contract involves a very complex component for use in motive control systems and the customer was struggling to source the technology in India, so they turned to the West Midlands for inspiration. We have significant experience in push-fit connectors and were able to tweak our EloPin product to come up with a solution. Better still we can complete all the tooling at our new Precision Tooling Academy we run with In-Comm Training.”

He continued: “The relationship with Auric Metal Finishers was also key to the deal. We understand the way each other works and, Auric’s unique ability to deliver reel-to-reel precision plating, ensured we could deliver the finish that was crucial to the end application. Export continues to be a major source of revenue and we are delighted that we have been able to sign another landmark deal at Blechexpo (Hall 6, Stand 6102), one of the largest events for our sector. There aren’t that many West Midlands firm exhibiting here, but the two of us are doing our bit to put the region on the manufacturing map.”

Pinpoint accuracy
David Harris, managing director of Auric Metal Finishers, added: “Our advanced reel-to-reel technology applies coats precisely where you need them and there are not many firms that can deliver that type of pinpoint accuracy in the UK. This has meant we have become a strategic supplier to Brandauer over the last four decades, getting involved in the development phase of projects to ensure the right finish and process is specified. Taking this approach can often eliminate unnecessary costs and reduce lead times significantly. There is a wealth of manufacturing expertise in the West Midlands and this latest deal with India proves it.”

Established more than 162 years ago, Brandauer make components that are used in 90% of the world’s kettles, in life-saving drones, edge connectors for the dimming of rear-view mirrors in 55% of car models and for a high-profile male grooming product used by millions of people.

More than 70% of the company’s current revenue stream comes from overseas business, with billions of components sent every year to the USA, China, the Middle East and the European Union. It has been aggressively growing its overseas order book through a concerted digital marketing campaign, trade delegations with Innovate Edge and by exhibiting at international shows like CoilTech and now Blechexpo.

Mr Crozier, who is also an Export Champion for the Department for International Trade, concluded: “We are only halfway through this event and have already taken 25 new business opportunities. There definitely appears to be an appetite for buying British and wanting to tap into our design and innovative stamping and tooling capabilities. Come along to our stand at Blechexpo to find out all about it.”