Hunter-based industrial manufacturer, Brain Industries, is making a big push into the North, Central, and South American markets, signing an exclusive distribution agreement with Strata Worldwide USA for its unique air operated pumps.

The firm’s first US distribution agreement will see Strata market and sell Brain’s Air loader and Mudskipper pneumatic pumps to the mining, tunnelling, and seaport markets.

Brain Industries Managing Director, Gillian Summers, said the American market has the potential to double the size of Brain’s current pumps business.

Gillian said the pumps will initially be designed, made, and exported from Newcastle. She said Brain may look at opening a pump manufacturing plant in the USA down the track.

“There seems to be nothing like our pumps available for the US mining and tunnelling sectors,” Gillian said.

“Strata Worldwide knew of Brain’s manufacturing capability, as we make its emergency refuge chambers for the Australian market.”

“The interest from America in our products shows that the Hunter and Australia’s manufacturing sector is alive and well and is a vital part of the economy.”

General Manager of Strata Products USA, Josh Behling, said the joint venture makes a lot of sense and the products fit Strata’s Geotech portfolio.

“Based on the quality and performance of Brain Industries’ pumps, we are excited to introduce them to our customers and others in the market,” Josh said.

The Air loader pumps handle just about any flowable material, including sludge, or slurries with solids – and even sand.

Unlike conventional vacuum displacement pumps, Brain’s compressed air pumps combine high velocity suction airflow with a powerful vacuum.

The pumps come in a range of sizes as either gravity discharge pumps or pressure discharge pumps. The Mudskipper pump is Brain’s smallest and most popular pump.

Gillian said Brain’s pumps have no internal moving parts, which makes them more reliable and longer lasting than some other pumps. She said pumps can be supplied in DNV GL compliant frames – important for the mining and tunnelling sectors.

“Brain’s pumps are safe for pumping in hazardous areas and their low height makes them ideal for confined spaces,” she said.

“With our genius, Aussie made pumps, American customers will be able to pump the impossible.”

IMAGE | Brain Industries Managing Director, Gillian Summers with one of Brain’s Air loader pumps now being marketed in the US.