Keeping Industry Moving: Trade, Growth and Vision. An interview with Ian Brown, Managing Director of Simply Bearings

As international trade evolves, Simply Bearings seizes new opportunities and overcomes challenges to keep industries progressing globally.

For Trade Week, we sat down with Ian Brown, Simply Bearings' new Managing Director, to discuss how Simply Bearings is navigating global markets, investing in innovation, and building a sustainable future. From smart purchasing and AI-driven demand forecasting to our focus on recyclable packaging and a collaborative company culture, Ian shares how Simply Bearings is driving progress with precision, purpose, and people at its core.

How does global trade impact Simply Bearings’ business strategy and customer base?

Expanding into new countries is a key growth strategy, with a focus on B2B opportunities but also catering to B2C customers who expect faster, local delivery. However, tariffs and uncertain geopolitical conditions present significant obstacles we must address.

In your first year as Managing Director, how have you seen international trade shape the company’s growth and opportunities?

International trade offers our greatest growth potential, but tariffs present a major challenge, particularly in the US. Costs associated with trading as a non-EU business have also increased in the EU, posing a challenge to potential supply chain opportunities. While performance outside the UK is reasonable, the US market remains our biggest hurdle.

Which overseas markets are currently most important to Simply Bearings, and where do you see the biggest potential for expansion?

Due to the high cost of translating web shops, we are initially focusing on English-speaking and reading markets (Canada, the Netherlands). We consider these strong opportunities for growth until we complete our long-term global platform.

What role does innovation play in keeping Simply Bearings ahead in the global supply chain?

Smart, intelligent purchasing is crucial to our financial stability and staying competitive in both lead time and cost. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure we provide the best service possible. We use AI to predict demand patterns and set dynamic minimum and maximum stock levels, while consolidating inbound shipments wherever possible to maximise efficiency.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in global trade. What steps is Simply Bearings taking toward greener operations or shipping solutions?

We require that all incoming packaging be fully recyclable and ensure any generated waste is disposed of in a responsible manner. Consolidation of purchased orders not only reduces the frequency of goods being shipped in, but also keeps the costs down. We ship goods in recyclable materials only, and ensure a minimum amount of packaging is used (whilst maintaining product protection). We have undergone a rationalisation in recent months to reduce the number of carriers and services, minimising the number of vehicles collecting goods for shipping.

How does company culture support our global ambitions and international success?

Company culture is key to achieving anything that requires sustaining over a period of time. At Simply Bearings, we are open, communicative, engaging, and informative. All of our projects include the stakeholders, not just management. This way, changes that take place are driven by the people who have created the “new”, and they see the benefits immediately. This encourages even more creative thinking and participation. Through our staff engagement surveys, we uncover insights and challenges that might otherwise go unnoticed in daily operations.

As a relatively new Managing Director, how have you found leading a team with such deep expertise in the bearings and distribution industry?

I have relied heavily on the expertise of the team at Simply Bearings. I am not in the habit of changing things for the sake of it. I believe in observing, learning, and understanding before making changes to systems that have clearly stood the test of time. However, what I have done is apply my knowledge of Finance to ensure our spending is in control, and my extensive experience in Project Management, as well as supplier negotiations. So rather than drastically changing anything, my presence has complemented the existing skill sets.

How do you see the bearings and engineering components industry evolving globally over the next few years?

After a pretty unsettled 2025, there are two ways to answer this. B2B customers are more strategic in their purchasing, as they consider their cash flow. They will be looking for Quality of service (lead time, availability, product quality), just as much as price. Regarding B2C, this is more challenging. Consumer spending looks to be reducing as people are being squeezed more and more by income and bills to be paid. Younger consumers appear to regard items that once were seen as worth fixing as expendable, preferring to purchase new rather than invest in repairs.

What challenges and opportunities do you anticipate for UK exporters in the coming years?

Tariffs. Both shipping and bringing items in from other countries. Even shipping to Ireland has been a nightmare over the last 12 months. There is also a serious lack of support and understanding of the US situation. We need to be present on the global stage; there is a huge market for what we sell. Firstly, we need to get in front of other countries to at least be in the game. This is a major drive for us in the final quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.

What has been the most rewarding part of your first year as Managing Director, and what excites you most about Simply Bearings’ future on the global stage?

The investments we are making in global expansion are very exciting. Simply Bearings has a team of experienced, skilled, and customer-centric people. A strong combination that keeps us competitive and ensures excellent customer service in every market we serve. With the emerging AI support tools, we are well placed to capitalise on these new innovations and begin to “work smarter, not harder”. My reward has been seeing a UK SME, built on entrepreneurial spirit and hard work, become part of a wider group with accurate reporting, consolidated purchasing, and clear group alignment while continuing to achieve year-on-year growth in challenging times.

As Simply Bearings continues to strengthen its position in global markets, Ian Brown’s first ten months as Managing Director have been defined by a clear sense of direction and purpose. His approach, grounded in collaboration, innovation, and financial discipline, has helped refine how we operate while building on the strong foundations that have made Simply Bearings a trusted name in the industry.

From navigating tariffs and logistical challenges to leveraging technology and AI for smarter purchasing and stock management, Ian and the team are focused on making Simply Bearings more agile and efficient than ever before. Sustainability remains a key driver of our operations, with recyclable packaging, reduced shipping frequency, and responsible waste management shaping how we do business today and in the future.

But beyond the numbers and processes, it’s our people who truly keep Simply Bearings moving. By fostering a culture of openness, communication, and inclusion, Ian ensures that every voice is heard and every innovation is shared, empowering teams to contribute ideas that push the business forward.

As we look ahead, our focus remains on delivering exceptional service, expanding our international reach, and maintaining the precision, quality, and reliability that define the Simply Bearings name. With the right leadership, strategy, and mindset, we’re not just adapting to global change; we’re driving it.