Alexander Perrie & Co
19 September, 2024
Alexander Perrie & Bronto Skylift offer decades of firefighting access expertise in New South Wales – Australia
From its modest start on a back verandah in 1946, Alexander Perrie has built a rock-solid reputation for manufacturing and supplying firefighting vehicles and equipment in Australia with excellent service throughout the country.
The founders, brothers George and Frank Perrie, named the company after their father, Alexander Perrie. The business quickly outgrew the family home, expanding to a bus shed and then to facilities in Rockdale for 67 years before moving to its current base of operations in Kirrawee, NSW.
Today, Alexander Perrie is a team of 43 under the leadership of CEO Nicole Perrie, on its third generation of family leadership. In recent years, the company has focused in on custom-built truck bodies and Bronto aerial platforms*.
*Alexander Perrie & Co Pty Ltd is an authorized Bronto aerial platform distributor in the state of New South Wales (NSW) with a nationwide service agreement. Rest of Australia’s fire unit sales, as well as nationwide access unit sales, is handled by GFS AUNZ Pty Ltd.
Bringing Brontos down under
Alexander Perrie met with Bronto Skylift in 1984 when searching for a solution for NSW Fire Brigades (now Fire and Rescue NSW). In short order, Alexander Perrie became the first to bring Bronto aerial platforms into the Australian market – but mounting the first platform and boom to the truck in Australia required some creative problem solving.
“I think their words were, ‘What do we do now?’,” laughs Nicole. “That was our introduction to Bronto. From that point forward, our relationship evolved, and 40 years later, we continue to collaborate with Bronto Skylift and value the ongoing partnership.”
Since then, Alexander Perrie has built a state-of-the-art manufacturing process. Brontos, meanwhile, have become a preferred access and fire solution in Australia, with a countrywide footprint.
“Brontos are seen as a long-term, stable, safe and efficient solution. Safety is very important in the Australian market and Bronto has that reputation. They also have fantastic aftermarket support – not only from us, but numerous other companies around Australia that provide aftermarket service for Bronto customers here.”
Nicole Perrie, CEO, Alexander Perrie
In-house expertise
Alexander Perrie primarily serves the fire and rescue segment, but their service expertise extends to access sector as well. The company is a full-service Bronto Skylift dealer, offering custom-built solutions and a wide service portfolio.
“We provide service support to all the states of Australia. We handle everything technical, from body builds, servicing, spare parts, major overhauls and repair work – we’re basically a one-stop-shop, and we do everything in-house. We can build whatever our customers’ requirements call for.”
Nicole Perrie, CEO, Alexander Perrie
Their latest manufacturing development push resulted in an expansion into a second facility in Port Kembla, which will focus solely on specialised builds and everything Bronto.
“With the expansion [to Port Kembla], we are entering a significant growth phase. We’ve got the capability, experience and an exceptional team to drive this progress. The Australian market for specialised emergency service vehicles market is robust, and it aligns perfectly with our strength.”
To further supplement that strength, Alexander Perrie also provides thermal imaging cameras, and in June 2024, partnered with a new company to offer portable and vehicle-mounted firefighting pumps.
Keeping aerial access in the family
Nicole has had a hands-on journey through the company, working up from the reception desk to, eventually, the top job. The plan is to keep the business in the family for a fourth generation – her two sons have recently started work at the company.
For Nicole, this pairs nicely with their 40-year partnership with Bronto Skylift.
“I feel that Bronto has similar values to what our company has, which has made it very easy to work with them – their integrity, their morals match up with Alexander Perrie. They’re responsive to our needs, and we get comprehensive assistance from them, which allows us to support our customers.”
Nicole Perrie, CEO, Alexander Perrie
Alexander Perrie has no intention of slowing down, and their recent expansion has them poised to serve their customers even more efficiently.
“The journey for Alexander Perrie, from that backyard verandah to two large facilities in NSW – we’re proud of where we’ve got to at this point, and we never say never.”
Contact:
Alexander Perrie
90-96 Bath Road
Kirrawee NSW 2232
Australia
Tel: +61 2 9542 3711
Email: mail@alexanderperrie.com.au