Light Manufacturing
Over 50% of Brave’s annual revenues come from the sale of assembled automation hardware components, such as:
- - configuring and testing motors & drives - installing and testing HMI screens - building and wiring electrical panels and power distribution systems - assembling custom wiring/cable/hose harnesses - assembling and testing a wide range of specialized robotic equipment
Given the nature of our current office space, we typically outsource most of this work to suppliers across U.S. and Canada. Outsourcing causes us to lose out on many in-hand opportunities to expand our offerings and our workforce.
The move to 1785 Walker Road will enable Brave to retain a significant portion of the business we currently send out. By sourcing this work internally and locally, we will be able to improve our competitiveness by offering a truly integrated set of services. A new facility on Walker Road means we can capitalize on lost revenue opportunities and create new, high skills jobs as we expand into light manufacturing.
Research & Development
The controls systems integration landscape has undergone significant changes in the past 5 years. The rise of Industrial Internet of Things (“IIOT”), the proliferation of smart machines, trends towards digitization and new demands for manufacturing data integration have radically reshaped our solution architectures. Today, robots and automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) form the physical backbone of many new & advanced automated systems. These machines often require larger physical spaces in order to explore innovative ideas and evaluate new technical approaches.
Brave’s ability to remain on the leading edge of emerging technologies and continue offering competitive solutions is dependent on a robust research and development program.
Due to its 2nd floor location and relatively small space, our current office significantly limits our ability to conduct hands-on R&D activities, especially with robots, ASRS systems and other automation machines. To get by we often are required to utilize space provided by our partners in Windsor, Southeast Michigan or the GTA. The inconveniences (not to mention additional costs) are impactful.
The plans for the new office include a dedicated technologies lab which will allow us to:
- Have direct access to robots and other automation machines without added travel costs or lost time
- Conduct a wider range of R&D activities than is currently possible
- Support direct connectivity and virtualized integration between test machines/systems and in-house software and other digital platforms
- Better adhere to the strict cybersecurity requirements our customers require by limiting exposure of advanced software and solutions to outside actors