Based in Brookvale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Northern Abrasives & Tools has built its reputation on quality products, practical expertise and helping customers find the right sanding solution. We spoke with owner Rod Graham about why Mirka has become an important part of the business.
A business built on experience
Rod Graham started Northern Abrasives & Tools in 1994, supplying abrasives and power tool equipment to customers across a range of industries.
“We started out in a little small warehouse and we were mobile, and we would go into factories and to sites,”
Rod explains.
Since then, the business has grown to include a retail store that has been operating for more than 20 years, offering customers a range of tools and abrasives from leading brands, including Mirka.
With decades of industry experience, Rod understands that choosing the right sanding products involves more than simply selecting a sander or abrasive. Customers need reliable performance, practical advice and products suited to the materials and applications they work with.
A complete sanding solution
One of the key reasons Northern Abrasives & Tools introduced Mirka was the breadth of its sanding solutions.
“The reason we wanted to add Mirka to the range, we found that they offer a complete sanding solution,”
says Rod.
While many brands offer products for common sanding applications, Rod sees Mirka's broader product range as a significant advantage.
“A lot of other brands have got sanders that cover the obvious main applications, but Mirka do all of that as a starting point, but then they go into all the niche areas.”
From abrasive technology to specialised sanding equipment, this breadth allows the team to help customers find products suited to different materials and working conditions.
“Their abrasive technologies as well, I think, are really market leading. They've got an extensive catalogue of product to tackle any kind of application, whether it be paintwork, timber or steel.”
For customers working across different industries, having access to a comprehensive range can make it easier to find the right combination of tools and abrasives for the job.
More than just a sander
For Rod, an effective sanding solution is about how the entire system works together. The sander, abrasive and dust extraction all play an important role in delivering a quality result.
“Really we're looking for products that are going to provide a complete solution, system solution. So that's not just having a sander, but it's having the sander that works with the dust extraction.”
This is particularly important in marine repair, where sanding activities can create environmental challenges.
“When they're slipping boats for anti-foul, big thing to keep all the pollutants out of the water. So extraction is critical for so many reasons.”
Effective dust extraction can help protect the user, support cleaner working conditions and reduce the risk of sanding contaminants entering the surrounding environment. Rod also highlights the role of extraction in abrasive life and overall sanding performance.
It is this focus on the complete sanding process, rather than individual products in isolation, that makes a system-based approach valuable to Northern Abrasives & Tools and its customers.
Built to last: Quality tools and reliable performance
When recommending products, Northern Abrasives & Tools prioritises quality, performance and long-term value. For Rod, choosing the right tools means looking beyond the initial purchase to consider ease of use, warranty support and access to repairs when needed.
Mirka's tools have made a particularly strong impression, with their quality and durability contributing to the positive experience Northern Abrasives & Tools has seen with the brand.
“With Mirka we're finding we're getting a lot of repeat business, which is great. And not on the tools because you buy them once and they last forever, so the quality of the tools are excellent,”
Rod says.
It's a strong endorsement of the durability of Mirka's sanding equipment. While customers may return to purchase additional tools for different applications, Rod says the ongoing demand is largely driven by consumables.
“It's the abrasives they're coming back for on a continual basis, all that consumable product. Once they get onto the one that works for their job, they stick with it.”
For trade professionals, investing in quality equipment and finding the right abrasive for the job can help deliver consistent results over the long term. Combined with Mirka's range of abrasive solutions and after-sales support, it's an approach that helps Northern Abrasives & Tools provide lasting value to its customers.
Demonstrations that deliver results
Product knowledge and practical support are also important to the relationship between Mirka and Northern Abrasives & Tools.
Rod values the support provided by Mirka's Australian team, particularly their willingness to visit customers and demonstrate products in real working environments.
“We also find the willingness of the support from Mirka themselves in Australia to be able to go out and actually demonstrate the product and show the customer, prove to the customer that they can get a superior result in a much quicker time frame than what they're used to doing.”
Seeing a product demonstrated in practice gives customers the opportunity to assess its performance against their existing processes and understand where a different sanding solution could improve their workflow.
For Rod, the benefits are clear: quality products backed by knowledgeable support help customers make informed decisions about the equipment and abrasives they use.
Experience Mirka at Northern Abrasives & Tools
From its beginnings as a mobile supplier in 1994 to its established retail store in Brookvale, Northern Abrasives & Tools has continued to focus on providing quality products and practical solutions for its customers.
Mirka's combination of abrasive technology, specialised tools, dust extraction and local support aligns with that approach.
As Rod puts it:
“We're having a great experience with Mirka. Our customers are having a great experience with Mirka.”
Visit Northern Abrasives & Tools in Brookvale, Sydney's Northern Beaches, to discuss your sanding requirements and explore the Mirka range.
