New exhibition shows how BRUSH keeps the lights on

A new exhibition has opened up in Loughborough charting the history of one of the town's best known and longest-standing industrial firms.

Energy engineering company BRUSH Group set down its roots in Loughborough soon after the industrialist Charles Francis Brush invented the ‘electric dynamo’ in 1876.

Since then BRUSH has grown to become a global player in electrical power equipment and solutions. ‘Keeping the lights on!’ is hosted at Charnwood Museum, which is jointly run by Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council.

This special temporary exhibition, which runs until September, delves into the history of BRUSH in Loughborough, chronicling the company’s development through to the present day.

Visitors can explore how BRUSH has continued to reinvent itself, driving innovation and inspiring generations of engineers, with interactive displays and a behind-the-scenes peek at the company’s Falcon Works manufacturing facility which still makes power transformers that are crucial to the UK’s electricity grid.

Councillor Kevin Crook, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for Heritage, said: 

“The history detailed in this exhibition just shows how powerful and meaningful heritage and legacy can be.I know this exhibition will mean a lot to local communities who may have grown up in the local area, who are employees of the manufacturer or even visitors to the area, who get a glimpse of the iconic BRUSH neon sign when arriving in Loughborough rail station. It’s a great celebration for BRUSH and it really highlights how Leicestershire is thriving, bolstering business and supporting economic growth. I’d encourage everyone to visit the museum and see this local piece of history brought to life.”

Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group said:

“BRUSH has a long and rich heritage, and it is a history that we share with the town of Loughborough and its people. We’ve been a major employer in the region for generations of people who together have played a key role in shaping the UK’s energy landscape. It’s a pleasure to be able to share our story through this exhibition and highlight the importance of BRUSH, our employees and the town to the country’s critical energy infrastructure, in the past, present and future.”

Councillor Anne Gray, Charnwood Borough Council’s Lead Member for Leisure Facilities, said:

“Having BRUSH in Loughborough is something for the whole town to be proud of. This exhibition at Charnwood Museum will shine a light on the work they have done as a global business for so many years, and it is a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to discover how Loughborough has contributed to international engineering excellence.”

The exhibition is free entry and open until Sunday, 27 September.