JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #51 - September 2009 - 28

FEATURE “Marine” g…/… High Modulus has the wind in its sails! AN INTERVIEW WITH SIAN RAYNOR, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, HIGH MODULUS JEC Composites Magazine: What are the strengths of High Modulus today? SIAN RAYNOR: High Modulus has many strengths, all of which combine to help our customers build good quality composite components that are fit for purpose. Each of our customers has a different requirement - for some the manufacturing cost is important, for others low weight is critical, for others stiffness is the driving factor. High Modulus specialises in helping the customer to meet specific requirements, through consideration of the budget available, the manufacturing preferences of the builder, and the material properties. And we assist in a number of ways. It isn’t a case of one product fits all. We offer structural engineering design solutions, technical services (such as panel testing, process development, on-site support), dry reinforcement and core materials supply (through our New Zealand and Australian offices), and also the B3 SmartPac (which combines engineering design with pre-cut material supply). JCM: You make 80% of your business in the Navy. What other areas where you are present? S. R.: The marine sector is certainly an important part of our business. It is where our heritage lies, and also where much of our business comes from today. However, we are also involved in other sectors, such as automotive, aviation, hydro-power, general industrial, and so on. Our expertise and experience is in composite structures, and we can apply this experience across a wide range of applications. JCM: After your openings in Australia and China in 2008, do you think you deploy to other countries? S. R.: As the needs of the markets change, and as our service and product range develops, we look for improved ways to deliver our expertise to customers around the world. In some cases, we feel it is best to centralise our operations, and in other cases it is best to deliver our services from a base close to the customer. Notwithstanding the current economic climate, Europe is a big market for us. We have had a European office established for over 15 years now, and it has to date remained quite small, with a number of European projects carried out by our New Zealand-based engineering team. However, going forward, we will expand this office so we are better placed to manage European projects in-market. We believe this will be of great benefit to our customers in this region. JCM: What are the main characteristics of the Australian market and what do you expect? S. R.: The Australian marine market has changed considerably over the past few months. Like all businesses in this sector, we face big challenges in the coming months. However, marine isn’t the only sector open to us. A whole host of other industry sectors source and use composite materials, and we are keen to support and supply customers across the board. JCM: What are your development priorities for the next 5 years? S. R.: We have a very solid 3 year strategic plan and have achieved what we set out to in the first 12 months, which included setting up our Australia and Asian operations. Some of the plans scheduled for the second 12 months are on hold, due to the current economic climate. This year will be a challenge for most companies globally, so we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our activities accordingly. JCM: What is the biggest challenge today for the company? S. R.: Today the biggest challenge is knowing what is around the corner. And everyone is finding that hard to predict right now. We have to keep our focus, whilst being open to opportunities; and continue to build an efficient organisation that delivers high quality product and services to customers around the world. A ready-to-use package One innovation that has been developed over recent years is the B3 SmartPac solution. Initially aimed at production boat builders, the SmartPac is a package of optimised engineering design, and pre-cut, pre-labelled dry reinforcement and core materials. It has attracted builders of one-off boats. Offering a range of benefits including reduced in-mould time, improved quality control, increased production throughput, reduced waste levels, improved structural integrity and reduced labour and materials costs, the SmartPac is now being supplied to production and custom boat builders in New Zealand, Australia, China, Taiwan, Russia, the USA and South Africa. This development sums up in a nutshell the philosophy that lies behind the company’s ability to meet market expectations. Geared to the future By looking ahead, its infrastructure and operation as an international company is becoming increasingly critical as High Modulus reaches out to more customers across the globe. With headquarters in New Zealand, and a European office established some 15 years ago, the company opened its Australian and Chinese manufacturing and sales operations in 2008. High Modulus currently boasts a staff of around one hundred across its offices. With 50% of its staff working in R&D and 28 jec composites magazine / No51 September 2009

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #51 - September 2009

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