YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Brilex Group of Companies, composed of five entities that encompass the engineering, energy, rail, industrial welding and heavy manufacturing sectors, sees continued growth in 2024 after enjoying a strong 2023.
Established in 1996 by brothers Brian and Alex Benyo, Brilex began in a 5,000-square-foot plant with three employees. Today there are five subsidiaries – Brilex Industries, Brilex Technical Solutions, Brilex Energy Solutions, Taylor-Winfield Technologies, and BBM Railway Solutions – that collectively employ 275 across the Mahoning Valley, says Katie Denno, marketing director.
Last year, Brilex Industries invested more than $4.5 million in new operations and training, she says. These investments include the addition of a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing space in North Lima and the purchase of advanced manufacturing and machining equipment.
Brilex created opportunities for the future workforce by employing high school students over the past several summers as part of its training program. Last summer, nine were recruited and many of them plan to work full-time upon graduation.
Meanwhile, Taylor-Winfield Technologies, a maker of industrial welding and material joining machines, added customers in the defense industry during 2023, Denno says, providing clients with welding applications integrated into the latest industrial automation and robotic technology.
BBM Railway Solutions – established in 2011 through a partnership between Brilex Industries and Officine Meccaniche BBM in Italy – has expanded its range of products, employees and technology, Denno says. Most significantly, BBM Railway has increased its market share in the lifting equipment sector, particularly among portable lifting jacks and achieving a customer base in California, Missouri, Florida, South Carolina, and New York.
Brilex Technical Solutions, the engineering arm of Brilex Industries, doubled sales in 2023 from the previous year, Denno reports, while Brilex Energy Solutions has expanded its business in the oil and gas equipment industry since that company was established in 2021.
The Benyo brothers are preparing the next generation of leadership within the companies. Their sons Thomas, Brian Jr., Kyle and Blake all have positions with Brilex Group, ensuring a legacy of a family-owned manufacturer in the region.