An Eagle Farm manufacturer has secured a $12 million supply contract with the United Arab Emirates, adding a major Middle Eastern deployment to an export footprint that already spans more than 30 countries.
The agreement will see Brisbane-designed 4×4 equipment from Tough Gear Trading delivered into one of the world’s harshest operating environments. While the company is no stranger to overseas markets, the UAE contract stands out for its scale and logistical complexity, involving fleet-level delivery rather than individual product shipments.
The deal is expected to support skilled manufacturing and project roles in Brisbane, reinforcing the city’s position as a base for specialised, export-focused engineering rather than signalling a first step offshore.
Founded in 2015, Tough Gear Trading is a Brisbane-based, Australian-owned manufacturer supplying vehicle systems to commercial, mining, humanitarian and defence-related clients. Although relatively young as a company, its operations draw on more than 28 years of industry experience across the 4×4, military and heavy-duty vehicle sectors.
Founder Gary Turner began the business as a single-operator venture, before expanding it into a multi-market operation capable of managing large-scale vehicle fit-outs and international deployments.
Today, the company operates across multiple export markets, with projects ranging from individual vehicle builds to full fleet mobilisation. Rather than focusing solely on component supply, the business specialises in end-to-end delivery, coordinating design, manufacturing, compliance and transport for vehicles that must operate reliably in extreme conditions.
Turner said the company’s competitive edge lies in its ability to manage complex, cross-border projects rather than simply shipping products offshore, noting that large contracts often require coordination across manufacturing, logistics and regulatory systems, particularly when vehicles are being delivered into remote or high-stress environments.
The Queensland Government pointed to the UAE contract as an example of targeted trade engagement rather than broad promotional activity, saying recent efforts have focused on identifying markets where Queensland manufacturers already have technical credibility and the capacity to deliver at scale.
Minister for Trade Ros Bates said the state’s approach aims to support companies that are already investing in export capability rather than encouraging speculative expansion, with an emphasis on backing businesses with proven track records so public support delivers measurable commercial outcomes for local industry.
Published Date 05-January-2026
