Braun Maschinenfabrik ready to leap across the pond

The destination and route have been agreed since autumn 2025. Braun Maschinenfabrik is aiming to access potential customers in North America on a regional level with a local partner and a new representative office in eastern Canada. The Upper Austrian steel hydraulics and mechanical engineering company boasts a broad service portfolio. The innovative Upper Austrian company hopes to gain a foothold and take a major step into the North American market, initially with their tried-and-tested, high-performance rake cleaning solutions. Braun is one of the leading names in steel hydraulic engineering in Europe. Although it has made its mark worldwide, reputation-building work is still necessary in the ‘Great White North’. The supreme quality of Braun technology has proven itself down the years, so the company is confident it can establish a lasting presence in the North American hydropower sector in collaboration with Hydro Turbine Systems – the local industry specialist.

Braun expands its hydropower business into the North American market

The North American hydropower market is one of the largest and most demanding in the world, being technologically mature, relatively large-scale, investment-heavy and characterised by long-established structures. Establishing a brand within this market is a considerable challenge for any newcomer. Braun Maschinenfabrik shares this view. The Upper Austrian company clearly believes it’s a very exciting challenge they are now ready to face. The engineering heavyweights from Vöcklabruck, have established their reputation in Europe as a leader in steel hydraulic engineering and rake cleaning machinery. They also know what to expect: “The market is extremely large and, compared to Europe, still offers considerable potential for new installations. That goes for Canada in particular, but for the USA, too,” according to Thomas Oberanzmair of Braun – and adds: “There are many existing plants that have no rake cleaning systems at all, and an even greater number of older plants whose rake cleaning systems are no longer state of the art, and which no longer serve their purpose economically.” These are exactly the opportunities the high-quality European supplier company has identified. In Canada in particular, hydropower plays a major role in electricity provision with around 60 % of the electricity supply coming from hydropower.

Canada offers strong growth potential for hydropower technology

In autumn 2025, the deal was officially signed and sealed, and Braun is now ready to put down roots in Canada. Braun’s machinery division will be represented by Loïc Pétillon (Eng.), the general project manager at eastern Canada-based Hydro Turbines Systems (HTS). Thomas Oberanzmair states: “We are delighted to have found partners in Loïc Pétillon and HTS to gain us entry to this market. Loïc is a qualified engineer who has worked in the hydropower sector for other European companies on the North American continent for decades – so he’s very familiar with the market, and the opportunities and challenges it presents.”
Braun Maschinenfabrik recognised key differences to the European hydropower market early on. One difference is the size of the market, presenting major challenges – both in terms of sales potential and the sheer geographical scale of country. A second distinctive feature of the North American market is that there are clearly defined rules on the choice of external contractors. These act as intermediaries in a contract for specified construction lots. Another key difference to the European market, one that particularly applies to large energy suppliers, is the requirement for ‘pre-qualifications’ – a formal pre-selection process companies are obliged to undergo before they are even permitted to participate in certain projects or tenders. This gatekeeping is undoubtedly a barrier to market entry, as without pre-qualification there is no project access. However, once a company has pre-qualified it’s a kind of quality seal that boosts the bidder’s chances of securing follow-up contracts.

European engineering expertise creates a competitive advantage

There are also a number of technical aspects for the industry specialists at Braun Maschinenfabrik to bear in mind, especially the varying – and occasionally very complex – regulations that can differ according to region, industry and area of application. Furthermore, it may also be necessary to switch to American units of measurement for certain applications – as and when these are required. “The specifics of electrical engineering pose yet another fundamental challenge, but fortunately we can draw on the current expertise of one of our other divisions, one that has been operating successfully on the North American market for decades,” explains Thomas Oberanzmair and adds: “The fact that our name is not well-known in North America definitely puts us at a disadvantage.” However, there is no need to shy away from comparisons with established North American suppliers. Indeed, in some fields these suppliers demonstrate significantly lower technical standards. There is currently no relevant North American supplier for the large hydraulic excavator segment. All the major suppliers in this field are Europeans, so Braun’s technological expertise and experience gives them an advantageous initial position from which to achieve systematic market share growth.

Robust rake cleaning machines for demanding hydropower applications

So how exactly does Braun intend make waves in the North American market? The company boasts a well-established range of rake cleaning technology with which to impress this new market. The portfolio includes telescopic rake cleaning machines, stationary excavator-mounted machines, mobile and rotating excavator-mounted devices, cable-operated rake cleaning machines, specified custom builds and debris disposal systems – all of which have earned Braun an excellent reputation in Europe. One of the secrets of these rake cleaners’ success is their reliably robust design. Superior-quality, strong sheet metals and components, proven in-house welding technology and sophisticated hydraulic solutions form the basis for stability, high operational reliability and exceptionally long service life. Braun offers a complete range of fully integrated in-house core competencies – from project planning, design, structural analysis and electrical planning, through to manufacturing and pre-assembly. This guarantees seamless single-source technical solutions. In some cases, Braun Maschinenfabrik installations carry more weight, which is by no means disadvantageous, and reflects the methods employed for their construction. In comparison with lighter-weight alternatives, theses structures impress with proven durability and reliable operation – even under the most demanding conditions. No wonder numerous experienced power plant operators have exclaimed: “This machine simply unbeatable.”

Braun strengthens its presence in the North American hydropower market

Braun Maschinenfabrik’s rake cleaning machines combine innovative strength with more than six decades of experience to form a coherent whole. Hardly any other supplier in the hydropower market manages to combine tradition and technical advancement so seamlessly. Backed by a well-coordinated team of experienced engineers, the company is now able to offer all standard types of screen cleaning machines in a wide variety of sizes. Furthermore, Braun regularly develops bespoke solutions for particularly demanding operating conditions – even where other suppliers reach their limits.
Braun’s guiding principle has always been that the ideal rake cleaning machine should be precisely tailored to the requirements of the site in question, and to the individual needs of the customer. This commitment, and a strong spirit of innovation, enables Braun to offer the extreme flexibility and comprehensive technical expertise that have made this long-established company one of the leading suppliers in its sector. With this in mind, and with Canada and the USA being among the largest and most dynamic markets in the world, it is clear that breaking onto the North American hydropower market is a logical next step. The Canadian east coast is particularly attractive in terms of the conditions it offers. Comparatively short transport routes, inconsequential time-zone differences, cultural and mindset similarities with Europe – all of which eases the process of market entry and provides a firm foundation for sustainable success.