Rural roots run deep for Bullmax managing director Scott Jensen (right), from Albury, with Eric Grimshaw, one of the founders of the previously Boorowa-based agricultural equipment company. Photo: Supplied.
Albury is cementing its place on the global stage of innovation with the launch of a world-first piece of farm machinery from a new headquarters in the border city.
Husband-and-wife team Scott and Emma Jensen recently took over outdoor power equipment company Bullmax, moving its operations from Boorowa to a new 1400-square-metre facility at Albury.
With that move has come what they describe as a “game-changer” for the industry – a world-first battery-powered post driver that promises to transform farming and fencing work across Australia and beyond.
The new 36V battery-powered post driver is the first of its kind, according to Scott.
Lighter, faster and more efficient than its petrol-driven predecessors, it’s designed to drive up to 150 posts on a single charge, offering farmers and contractors unprecedented efficiency out in the paddock, he says.
And, clearly, that’s no bull because the innovation is already sparking international demand.
In just five days, videos showcasing the new tool racked up more than 600,000 views across Bullmax’s socials, triggering a wave of distributor and customer inquiries from the UK, Canada, Ireland and the US.
“Born in Albury, built for the world,” a proud Scott says.
“The phones haven’t stopped – day and night – it’s clear the problem we’re solving is universal,” he says.
For the Jensens, and their three children, this is more than just a commercial milestone; it’s an investment and belief in the community, values and innovation of regional Australia.
“It’s proof that from Albury, you can manufacture world-class products and export them globally,” Scott says.
“There are three reasons we consolidated into Albury: it’s better for customers, we’ve streamlined operations, and gained access to skilled workers.”
Bullmax, well known in ag circles for its post drivers, earth augers and log splitters, was founded in rural roots by Stephen Clark and Eric Grimshaw more than a decade ago.
Scott says he and Emma plan to continue the standards, service and reliability set by the original founders – to grow internationally but to always think local.
The post driver is the first of many innovations in the pipeline that will further fuel local job and business opportunities, according to the couple.
“We love rural Australia, and we want to support the small-town ag stores that support families and communities. That’s the ecosystem we believe in,” Emma says.
“We want to grow the right way – keep assembly and support in Albury, and partner with the right distributors overseas.”
That’s why the relationships the company has carefully cultivated are so important, according to Scott.
Partnerships with names like Honda Australia and Total Tools, and a network of more than 300 outlets across Australia and New Zealand, have strengthened their market position.
Scott’s proud of the fact Kennards Hire has started replacing its Stihl brand augers with Bullmax’s. “That’s validation at the highest level,” he adds.
The company is also rolling out a new line of outdoor power equipment tailored for lifestyle blocks and small acreages, aimed at baby boomers downsizing and younger families inheriting land.
Crucially, they’re distributing this range through independent rural stores, not bypassing them with online-only sales.
“We could chase quick online money, but we’d rather back the mums and dads in small towns,” Scott says.
“We want their stores to survive and thrive — and for Bullmax to be part of that story.”
Now running a company with global ambitions is one thing; running it as a married couple is another.
Neither Scott nor Emma shies away from the challenges that brings.
“It’s not always easy, but the balance we bring as a partnership has been the secret to building Bullmax,” Emma says.
Scott is quick to agree, saying they complement each other.
“Emma brings perspective, creativity and detail while I bring experience from years in the industry,” Scott says. “So together it works.”
That industry experience is formidable.
Scott spent 15 years at Ag Boss in Albury, the family-owned business he helped scale tenfold, growing turnover and jobs while expanding internationally.
“It’s a relationship-driven industry,” Scott says.
“We built that trust once, and now we’re doing it again.”
