Aluminium Expo | Built to Last: BAB Aluminium’s Decades of Innovation in Aluminium Seating Solutions
Since its inception, BAB Aluminium has epitomized grit, innovation, and quality. Starting as a small fabrication company, BAB Aluminium has grown into a leading manufacturer of durable and sustainable seating solutions, including grandstands, tables, and benches, serving communities across Australia. Aluminium Expo serves as an important platform to showcase the latest information and research in the aluminum processing industry.
From Welder to Industry Pioneer: Brian Blowes and the Journey of BAB Aluminium
Brian Blowes, the founder of BAB Aluminium, began his journey in the aluminum industry in 1980 as a welder. Just four years later, he took the bold step of borrowing money from his father to purchase half of the company where he worked. By 1986, he fully acquired the business and officially established BAB Aluminium in 1988. Initially, the company focused on custom aluminum fabrication, producing items such as remote control gates and pool fences. However, Brian quickly realized that a more specialized approach was necessary.
From Aluminium Seating to a Trusted Partner for Australian Communities
The company’s move into the seating market has established BAB Aluminium as a trusted name in durable public infrastructure across Australia. Today, the company offers a range of customized seating solutions designed to meet the needs of diverse communities. Under the Grandstands Australia banner, BAB Aluminium offers a variety of grandstands, ranging from compact, portable models to large modular units that can accommodate up to 500 people. These grandstands have become essential in sports venues and community events across Australia. Additionally, the company’s T1 to T5 tables are designed to meet the aesthetic and functional needs of parks, schools, and outdoor spaces.
One of the most meaningful contributions of BAB Aluminium is its Buddy Bench Australia initiative, which offers vibrant, colorful seating designed to combat bullying and loneliness in schools. These benches create a welcoming space for students, fostering connection and inclusivity.
Commitment to Durability and Quality: A 20-Year Warranty
BAB Aluminium takes immense pride in producing Australian-made products that are built to last. Brian emphasizes his commitment to durability, quality, and safety—a philosophy rooted in the belief that "Our products are built for 20 years, and we offer a 20-year warranty on them."
Every product comes with a structural certificate that validates its safety and functionality. Safety remains a top priority for Brian, especially since his products are often used in environments where children and families gather. "I don’t make products that could hurt other people’s children, so safety is paramount," he says.
Partnership with Capral: Advancing Sustainability
BAB Aluminium’s relationship with Capral spans over four decades, dating back to when Capral was known as Alcan. As Brian describes, this long-standing partnership is "symbiotic," built on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality.
Capral has played a pivotal role in BAB Aluminium’s development, providing the aluminum products necessary for manufacturing and helping the company transition to more sustainable practices. One of their most impactful collaborations was the introduction of Capral’s Super Green Aluminium. When Brian’s Capral representative, Mary-Anne, introduced this more sustainable option, he immediately saw its value, saying, “We’d be crazy not to do this.” By using LocAl Super Green Aluminium, BAB Aluminium has significantly reduced its carbon footprint.
Integrating Sustainability and Social Responsibility
In addition to using LocAl Super Green Aluminium, BAB Aluminium integrates sustainability into its operational practices. The company actively recycles aluminum scrap, ensuring that off-cuts, unusable pieces, and scratched materials are repurposed rather than discarded. They also reuse packaging materials such as timber, plastic, and cardboard from Capral’s shipments, incorporating them into their own packaging processes.
Commitment to Community and Vision for the Future
One of BAB Aluminium’s core values is its commitment to the people and communities it serves. Brian often visits sites where BAB Aluminium products are installed and shares the joy of seeing children playing on the facilities his company has helped create. "One of the best things is just going back and seeing the tables and the kids swarming around them."
The positive work culture at BAB Aluminium is another source of pride for Brian. “It’s a great place. I’ve got great staff... We’re all friends here,” he proudly shares.
A Model of Modern Australian Manufacturing
The partnership between BAB Aluminium and Capral has been instrumental to its success, enabling the company to expand its product offerings and embrace sustainable materials. By working closely with Capral, BAB Aluminium has successfully balanced high-quality manufacturing with environmental responsibility, embodying a model for modern Australian manufacturing.