PWR Advanced Cooling Technology
Stapylton (Bundjalung), Queensland.
Recognising a team effort
Winning the Australian Export Awards Manufacturing and Advanced Materials award is a momentous achievement for the business and its international profile. But its true value to us is in recognising our workers’ dedication and effort over the years.
Matthew Bryson, Chief Executive Officer.
Meet PWR Advanced Cooling Technology: the coolest Aussie exporter on the block
It’s time for a quick science lesson. Whatever the energy source, all engines, motors and electronics produce heat. If that heat is not extracted, systems can quickly get too hot. This leads to compromised performance and system damage, or even total failure.
That’s when the crucial solutions from the winner of the Manufacturing and Advanced Materials award category, PWR Advanced Cooling Technology (PWR) step in.
The company is a global supplier of advanced cooling products. Its range includes everything from heat exchangers and radiators to oil coolers, intercoolers and electronics cooling components.
‘By crafting bespoke, high-performance cooling solutions using cutting-edge research and technology, PWR embraces a uniquely Australian style and “can do” attitude that fuels innovation in motorsports, aerospace and defence,’ says Matthew Bryson, PWR’s Chief Executive Officer.
From local business to global success
PWR’s story began in 1997 when PWR’s Founder Kees Weel noticed that Australian V8 Supercar teams were importing overseas radiators and modifying them to fit their cars.
Seeing a gap in the market, Kees installed an aluminium furnace at his family’s Currumbin business and began producing custom radiators for Australian supercars. PWR quickly gained recognition for its performance, quality and engineering capabilities. Having expanded into a new, purpose-built factory in 2007, PWR set its sights on global markets and international motorsports competitions.
Tales of a plucky, Queensland-based business producing cutting-edge, customised radiators quickly spread across the country and abroad, even reaching elite Formula 1 racing teams. The company’s expertise in thermal management led to international site expansion, including the acquisition of C&R Racing in the US in 2015 and the opening of a UK-based factory in 2023.
No signs of cooling for global exports
Having cornered motorsports, PWR identified that its technologies were a perfect fit for the burgeoning aerospace and defence (A&D) sectors.
Jumping at the opportunity, the company began developing mission-critical products and obtaining the requisite certifications to operate in the A&D space in 2021.
In the last 3 years, PWR has become a major global aviation supplier and US defence contractor, with A&D revenue doubling and exports accounting for over 90% of total revenue.
Cooling systems hot property in the US
Earlier this year, PWR secured an $8.5 million contract to supply advanced cooling systems to a US Government project.
‘Supported by the Commonwealth’s US trade infrastructure, including Austrade and Team Defence Australia, we demonstrated that we had the capacity to deliver for the customer,’ says Bryson of the deal.
The contract enabled PWR to expand its Queensland-based engineering team and further established its reputation in the A&D sector.
‘A contract of this value and size also demonstrates to other contractors that we are a viable player in the A&D space,’ says Bryson.
Partnering to drive global growth
International defence agreements, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, have hastened PWR’s expansion into Asian markets, particularly Japan and India.
‘We are working ever closer with regional partners to diversify our base and take advantage of the increasing demand for our products,’ says Bryson.
‘Critically, to be successful and differentiate your business internationally, you need to have a laser focus on fostering and maintaining relationships and trust with partners.’
Austrade has played a critical role in PWR’s pivot from a predominantly motorsports brand to a more diversified business with a growing focus on aerospace and defence.
Valued guidance from Austrade
Austrade has been a valued partner of PWR throughout the years, says Bryson.
‘Austrade has played a critical role in PWR’s pivot from a predominantly motorsports brand to a more diversified business with a growing focus on aerospace and defence,’ he says.
‘Austrade has promoted our business at trade shows, helped foster relationships with US customers, and exposed us to the intricacies of overseas markets.’
A business focused on sustainability
PWR recently became ISO14001:2015 accredited. This is the international standard for environmental management systems.
The company has also installed over 4,000 solar panels at its facility and recycles hundreds of tonnes of scrap aluminium every year. Its closed-loop wastewater treatment plant captures, treats and reuses 90% of trade wastewater.
Supporting a cleaner energy future, PWR is currently working on prototypes to develop new and specialised cooling systems for hydrogen-fuelled craft.
Recognising a team effort
PWR won the Small to Medium Manufacturer Award category in 2011 and 2012. It also took out the Australian Exporter of the Year award in 2012. PWR is the winner of the 2025 Manufacturing and Advanced Materials award category.
‘We applied for the Australian Export Awards in 2025 because we wanted to take a moment to step back and acknowledge what our team has achieved,’ says Bryson.
‘Winning the Australian Export Awards Manufacturing and Advanced Materials award is a momentous achievement for the business and its international profile. But its true value to us is in recognising our team members’ dedication and effort over the years.’
An innovative approach to new market growth
Bryson notes that PWR’s success hasn’t really been driven by a conscious effort to expand into new regions through marketing and business development.
‘Rather, our focus on research and development, complemented by a continuous drive to find new innovative applications for our products, has been the real driver of our success,’ he says.
‘We also leverage Australia’s reputation as a country that punches above its weight by being a resourceful, adaptive and reliable partner to our customers on the world stage.’
Visit PWR Advanced Cooling Technology website.
