Brightwater Group Acquires Gray Brothers

Brightwater Group Acquires Gray Brothers Engineering

Nelson based engineering company, Brightwater Group Ltd, has purchased Gray Brothers Engineering in Greymouth.

Brightwater Group CEO, Warren Arthur, says since its formation in 1983, Gray Brothers Engineering has developed a strong presence in the coal and gold recovery sectors in design, fabrication, installation and industrial servicing. “Our two organisations have experienced a close working relationship for the last few years being customers and suppliers to each other on a number of projects which has ultimately led to a high level of trust and mutual respect which has underpinned our discussions” said Arthur.

Brightwater Group has a number of key clients on the West Coast, including Solid Energy, Holcim and Pike River Coal. Warren Arthur says Gray Brothers exposure in the General Engineering and industrial resources sectors fits very well with Brightwater’s core business capabilities in bulk materials handling, minerals, quarrying, clean-tech energy and industrial services sectors. He says the Greymouth location also gives Brightwater an excellent base to leverage existing opportunities from recent projects, as well supporting continued growth on the West Coast.

“The acquisition of Gray Brothers is a significant commitment by Brightwater Group that will provide improved client services, response times and engineering support, adding greater value for our clients in that region whilst maintaining the existing integrity of the Gray Brothers business and its client base,” said Arthur. “We have recently established a dedicated Brightwater Services Division that will have strategic locations in the North and South Islands and with the Gray Brothers acquisition; we will now be able to considerably strengthen our presence and capability on the West Coast.”

Gray Bros employs thirty five staff and has a sizeable engineering workshop, a machine shop and sandblasting and painting section. Warren Arthur says staff numbers will not be affected by the change in ownership and in fact the plan is to grow the business utilizing the additional resources and support from the Brightwater Group.

“Gray Brothers Engineering have already employed three extra staff recently to support current and future workloads and we have plans to add to this and I can only see positive outcomes for existing and future employees,” he said. “Gray Brothers is a very well run business. Current Directors Eddie and Paul Gray will remain senior employees of Brightwater, which will ensure continuity of relationships, management and key contact people for existing Gray Brothers clients with a business as usual approach”

Eddie Gray says the acquisition by Brightwater is simply the next step in what has been a strong relationship based on trust over many years. “Gray Brothers has grown to a size now where further commitment, resources and infrastructure is required, so the timing is right.

“To stay intimately involved in the business as it continues to develop and grow is an exciting opportunity. Most importantly we place huge value in our experienced, long-serving staff and loyal customers, and the acquisition by Brightwater will ensure that this culture remains in place,” says Eddie Gray.

ENDS

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