In a special interview for ELLE.UA
In the realities of a full-scale war, Ukrainian business is increasingly taking on functions that were not previously its priority — to help, protect, save. A vivid example is the story of the Brammer company, which until 2022 specialized in the manufacture of metal structures for schools and public spaces. After the invasion began, the team led by Iryna Koval radically changed the vector of activity — and launched the production of tactical carts. These devices have become critically important on the battlefield: they allow one person to evacuate the wounded without using their hands — thanks to attachment to a tactical belt, and also help transport ammunition, provisions, and equipment. Brammer carts have already saved more than 120,000 lives.
Iryna Koval, co-founder and CEO of the company, is this year’s winner of the “Created by Women” award, an initiative that recognizes Ukrainian female entrepreneurs who are developing their own businesses despite the war, challenging stereotypes about “female” entrepreneurship, and inspiring other businesses to change the country. Winning the competition includes a grant for project development and membership in the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, opening up new opportunities for scaling this vital initiative.
We spoke with Irina about how Brammer adapted to the challenges of war, what goes into creating each evacuation cart, how the needs of the military are changing — and what it means to be an entrepreneur in a time when business literally has to save lives.
The Made by Women Award is now in its seventh year supporting businesses operating in wartime. What does this win mean to you after everything Brammer has been through since the start of the full-scale invasion?
This is recognition of the work of our team, which has undergone a complete reorientation in production. Thanks to the jury of the Created by Women Award, who singled out our project, we have powerful information and media support, which helps to reveal the essence of our cause and involve more people who care about saving the lives of the wounded.
Your project — BRAMMER evacuation systems — has saved over 120,000 lives. How did the idea to reorient the production of metal structures in this direction come about?
Since 2020, we have been manufacturing metal structures: benches, gazebos, children's and sports grounds, and school furniture according to the NUSh standard. After the full-scale invasion, most of Brammer's employees joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Being in the midst of military events, our engineer saw a need and created a drawing of the first tactical evacuation cart. There we created the first sample. After undergoing tests in real combat conditions, we improved the model and decided to put it into mass production.
You received a grant of UAH 200,000 and membership in the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. How will these resources help scale production — and what is your immediate ambition?
The grant will help purchase new equipment that will allow for the production of more evacuation equipment per unit of time. Part of the funds will be directed to new developments in the field of saving lives and beyond.
Since this project has existed for a long time on a volunteer basis and was financed by the people of Ukraine, our immediate ambition is to conclude state contracts for the continuous supply of evacuation equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The second is to enter the European market with tactical evacuation equipment, because we have experience that we would like to share. Membership in the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its business connections will help us in the implementation of these points.
The award recognizes three areas: defense, innovation, and social business. How do you combine these trends — what is your driving motivation?
The leading motivation is to enable a father to return alive, a son to hug his mother, and a lover to be close to his wife. Our project combines all three directions. It has a defensive direction, because we help during evacuation on the battlefield. Innovative, because we are mobile in solving the problems that the present gives us. The social direction is obvious, because the result of our work is saved lives.
The jury members note that the goal of the award is to refute stereotypes about “female” businesses. How, in your opinion, has the role of female entrepreneurs in Ukraine changed in recent years? And have you encountered such stereotypes in your work?
On my way up the career ladder, I was mostly accompanied by men. So colleagues, management, and now male partners have always been a support and incentive to grow even more. It is no secret that today in Ukraine, women bear a great responsibility on their shoulders. But despite the enormous workload, we are developing, striving for more, and moving forward. Our goal, as civilians, is to do everything possible to ensure that the defenders return to a better country than the one they had before the full-scale invasion.
What were the main challenges you faced when setting up the production of tactical carts in wartime? How did you overcome them?
There were quite a few challenges, but we successfully overcame them. The main challenge was creating a team from scratch and setting up production processes, since the main part of the employees was defending the country. The second challenge was the continuous mobilization of employees from the updated Brammer team. The solution to this issue was the training and preparation for independent work of young specialists, namely college graduates, in this way we continue our high-quality work and pass on our experience to the next generation.
Another challenge that is still relevant today is finding quality components for our production. In Ukraine, the number of parts we need is limited. For now, we are closing these issues, but we hope that expanding ties through membership in the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will help us solve this issue more effectively.
During your work, you probably encountered emergencies on the front lines. What incident or story related to evacuation using the Brammer was particularly important to you?
1. A story that is very close to us. Having created the new Brammer team, we were prepared that our employees would defend the Motherland. Volodymyr, who celebrated his 25th birthday while working for our company, was soon mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During his first combat mission, he was wounded. For more than three days, it was not possible to provide him with qualified assistance due to shelling. So when Volodymyr was evacuated, he constantly lost consciousness. However, during the evacuation, he realized that his brothers were taking him to a safe place on our wheelchair. It is quite possible that the wheelchair that saved his life was made by his own hands.
2. Our company's work is not limited in time, in days of the week. We are always in touch. Night call, evacuation, time is short. The request of the military is clear and understandable. Our defenders need to quickly evacuate their comrades, there are only two days. In the morning, a quick dispatch took place, because just the thought of the fact that the military is pulling out their comrades on plastic wrap made everything inside melt. Our carts are truly indispensable, they are demonstrably effective!
How are the needs and requests of your clients — military, volunteers, and medics — changing today, compared to the beginning of your project?
The war does not stop, neither do we. We hear the requests of the military, and every feedback that concerns our products is always processed. Requests are extremely diverse, we implement our ideas in the production of models, listening to the opinions of the defenders. For example, at present, quadricycles are actively used during combat missions, at the same time we understand that the simultaneous evacuation of several people becomes possible on them. So, we create and produce a trailer for evacuation at speeds up to 60 km/h, which covers several needs at once: evacuation of up to 3 soldiers, transportation of equipment and transportation of provisions.
We also developed our production in the branch of engineering carts, carts for doctors. Their feature is that evacuation in a completely horizontal position has become possible. We conclude for ourselves that we are keeping up with the times, the more active the battles, the more active we are. Together we bring Victory closer!
What advice would you give to other female entrepreneurs who would like to adapt their business to the current challenges of the country? How to combine innovation, meaning, and efficiency of their activities?
You can never stand still, develop, learn, explore, learn about this world. The country develops when we move, so we have no right to stop. Each of us makes our contribution, sows our seed in a whole field of achievements and Victories. Sometimes it may seem to you that there are many obstacles on the way, but faith in a bright future should not be overshadowed by petty adversities. Do not be afraid, step boldly, dream! Our military defends us, let them proudly return to their home and country, which we defended in our own way!
