PBE Axell focuses on delivering solutions across safety and communications
Redefining the realm of possibility in technologically-led solutions, PBE Axell is a world leader in the manufacture of integrated safety and wireless communication services. Its mission is “to continuously supply [its] clients with effective solutions using innovative and consistently improving products backed up by exceptional customer support”, extending its excellence to all corners of the world.
Joining us to discuss the business and highlight recent transformations, is Greg McCray, CEO at PBE Axell, and Kyle Reau, VP of Global Operations. Greg begins by providing some insight into the company’s capabilities and innovation. “PBE Axell makes wireless communications networks and tracking and monitoring on collision avoidance technologies. Traditionally, we did a lot of work in the mining industry, but we’ve since expanded our wireless communications and collision avoidance technologies into construction, warehousing and the industry sectors. This enhances the sectors – such as airports, buildings, and stadiums – that the
Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are already deployed in. At the moment, we’re refocusing on creating a best-in-class technology, development and engineering department, and so we’re really upscaling our manufacturing. We now manufacture in three different countries, which allows us to deliver high quality products much faster. We’re just appointed a new Chief Technical Officer, who is going to expand upon our technological investments in our strategy to be a technology-led company. We’ve also brought in a new HR Lead, a Finance Lead, and a Services VP to further align our culture, sales, services, and business development. It’s a real, solid team.”
Kyle continues by elaborating on these positive changes. “Over the last year, we have made significant improvements to our company, particularly in reducing our backlogs, which had reached unacceptable levels. Our customer relationships needed attention. As such, we’ve invested heavily in placing the right people in key management positions.”
“Overall, we’ve restructured the entire organization. Acquisitions have been key to this, as they have expanded our footprint and our capabilities. We’ve been able to enter new markets, create faster and more specialized technologies, and build talent and depth in critical areas. Most importantly, they’ve helped us to evolve from just a regional manufacturer to a global end-to-end solutions provider.”
Moving into this new era, PBE Axell remains focused on manufacturing the best electronic safety products and delivering data and communication infrastructure services across multiple industries. “We offer a multitude of products across safety and wireless communications,” Kyle confirms. “Our largest safety offer is a collision avoidance system that prevents accidents on large construction equipment. Originally designed for mining environments, the system adapts easily to regular construction sites.” This system, which is a complete proximity alert system (PAS) for above and below ground detections, enhances workplace safety by reducing the risk of collision through asset and personnel detection and warning. “This is our fastest growth product line. I would say that we have seen approximately 40 percent growth from last year and it looks likely to continue growing.”
Beyond safety solutions, PBE Axell works in communications infrastructure. “We provide our Omnia Railroad Tunnel Communication & Data product to the North American train sector,” Kyle elaborates. Developed by PBE to meet Tier 1 Freight rail’s unique coverage, performance and maintainability requirements, Omnia is actually three systems in one – positive train control, tunnel and service voice, and distributed power. “This means the tunnel is talking to the train, knowing where the train is at all times.” 
The final element of PBE Axell’s safety offer is tagging and tracking. Installed in over 100 underground systems, these solutions accurately identify the location of personnel and equipment. They increase productivity and efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and improve safety of workers.
Complementing its safety and communication offerings, PBE Axell offers resilient distributed antenna systems (DAS), LTE, leaky feeder and wireless networks. Ensuring ease of implementation, particularly during the challenging construction phase, these solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of modern industries whilst providing versatility and adaptability – both essential to changing conditions. “The company has had a long history on the communications side with analogue distributed antenna systems and leaky feeder systems, but the world has evolved to be more and more digital,” Greg explains. “We’ve now introduced digital technology into our wireless communications DAS systems, which has provided more features and frequencies for our customers, a better user interface, lower power requirements, and improved signal quality.”
“Our new digital DAS platform is an exciting opportunity that’s come onto the market,” Kyle adds. “Offering enhanced wireless coverage, the DAS brings multiple benefits, including support for multiple cellular and 5G technologies, higher network capacity and speed and improved wireless coverage in areas with poor signal reception.
“Analogue technology has limitations. Our digital product is much simpler to build, more reliable, and more customizable for the customer. We can dial in the solution for them and build it significantly faster.”
Case studies of past implementations demonstrate the significant projects that have utilized PBE Axell solutions. From Heathrow Terminal 5 and the London Olympic Park to the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai and Lincoln & Holland Tunnels in New York, PBE Axell clearly addresses the needs of clients that require the best in reliability, resilience and response. “We’re not just a manufacturer,” states Kyle, when asked what keeps blue-chip clients returning to its solutions. “We design products and manufacture parts, but as almost every job we take requires a custom solution, we are a partner. We have a hands-on process for developing a system with a client, and we work together from beginning to end to create a bespoke package.”
These projects also showcase PBE Axell’s global reach. According to Kyle, the business balances its global scale with local agility to deliver effective customer service. “One size doesn’t fit all, and local markets need a tailored approach. We empowered our regional teams to make customer facing decisions, while still maintaining a unified back operation. This standardization of the core system has helped with launching to market more efficiently.
“We’re delivering the same goals and objectives but giving our regional branches the flexibility to make regular day-to-day decisions. This enables faster response to market shifts while maintaining efficiency and consistency. We maintain global alignment and accountability.”
The right culture is central to this approach, and PBE Axell prides itself on positioning everyone around a clear purpose, to foster innovation. “Our teams are empowered with autonomy, and we encourage idea sharing across different regions through open communication. This attitude extends to the CEO. This helps ensure we’re continuously learning, recognizing problems and becoming better problem solvers every day.
“We also want to make sure we’re focused on creating a compelling employer brand, making the company as attractive as possible to potential employees. We offer meaningful work, and we provide a clear growth path in a culturally inclusive environment. Working for a company that is so global is one of my favorite things about being here. You get to interact with people from different backgrounds. We invest heavily in training leadership and frontline workers, working in partnership with several local colleges. This helps us attract talented individuals into our facilities.”
Strategic effort has transformed PBE Axell’s operations. Its considered changes have driven record revenue for the first and second quarter of this year. Looking forward, Greg and Kyle want to maintain its success while continuing to find new customers and markets. “We’ve seen around 40 percent growth in the past year, which is amazing. We’re still a part of a privately held group, but the way our growth trajectory is going, we could be on the scale of going public,” Greg affirms.
“Long-term success to me means success in every division,” Kyle concludes. “I want to be the leader in the rail sector, the PAS and the digital DAS arena – I want us to be the top player in each of our sectors.”