JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #51 - September 2009 - 27

Company High Modulus has the wind in its sails! The story of High Modulus is remarkable in every way. After thirty years of hard work, this internationally-renowned company specializing in the marine industry is now ready for the future. Its secret lies in R&D and engineering. ack in the late 1970s, Bob Rimmer decided to leave his banking career behind him to focus on his passion for the sea. He started his business in an old Auckland farm building. B Sailing to success A sailing enthusiast, he became involved in the manufacture of the first production fibreglass sailboards for the local Kiwi market. He started by importing the materials he needed and expanded into a small fibreglass distribution business. After a couple of years, Rimmer decided to employed two bright, young and enthusiastic engineering graduates to help grow the materials business and provide technical customer support. These two graduates, Richard Downs-Honey and Brian Jones, had both majored in the use of composites in marine applications. High Modulus remained under Rimmer’s ownership until his untimely death at sea in 1994, Then Downs-Honey and Perry 57 Catamaran, built in Queensland, Jones picked up the Australia. Perry Cataramans have saved over business, which has 200 hours in the production process by using the B3 SmartPac supplied by High Modulus. now flourished into a leading supplier of composite materials, technology and structural engineering solutions for customers in all four corners of the world. The company has worked on several major projects such as the first 12-metre fibreglass yachts for the America’s Cup; Mirabella V, the world’s largest single-masted sailing yacht; and Ermis2, a 60-knot 37-m all-carbon motoryacht. However, High Modulus has always had one goal in mind – to promote composite construction throughout the marine industry. expertise to a much wider range of marine applications, including everything from sailing super yachts, to commercial vessels and high-volume production motorboats. This experience, coupled with a strong R&D programme, has enabled them to stay ahead of the game in both the theoretical and practical aspects of composite design and construction. Technical competence is central to the success of each of the three business areas, whether engineering, material supply or construction solutions. Pushing the boundaries of composite applications, the R&D team is constantly testing new materials and processes for effectiveness and performance, but always with an eye on the practicalities of their use in the field. High Modulus also understands the needs of the marine industry and its different sectors, stocking a wide range of materials to suit every need. For specialist projects, they supply comprehensive materials packages, efficiently handling complex projects, often with tight timeframes, varying materials specifications, and multiple shipping addresses. For customers who need more than off-the-shelf materials, their ability to design and produce custom fabrics means that materials can be optimised for specific applications. And the part-processing service for foam core materials saves builders both time and resources. High Modulus structural engineering is suitable for more than just performance boats. It can add a new dimension to a range of vessels, from luxury super yachts to production cruising boats and commercial launches. A strong focus on engineering Over the last decade, the company has brought its technical High Modulus in Auckland, New Zealand. The company moved into this purpose-built head office in 2005. No51 September 2009 / jec composites magazine 27

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #51 - September 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #51 - September 2009