High Modulus celebrates 30 years of composites excellence

by Sian Raynor on 10 Feb 2009
From making sailboards in an old farm building to supplying leading composite technology solutions to projects around the world, High Modulus has come a long way in the last three decades. In 2009, the company celebrates its 30th birthday and cements the foundations for the future.

Back in the late 1970s, Bob Rimmer decided to leave his banking career behind to focus on his passion for the sea. A sailing enthusiast, he became involved in the manufacture of the first production fibreglass sailboards for the local Kiwi market. He imported the materials he needed, and expanded into a small fibreglass distribution business. After a couple of years, to help grow the materials business and to provide technical support to customers, Rimmer employed two young, bright and enthusiastic engineering graduates– Richard Downs-Honey and Brian Jones, who had both majored in the use of composites in marine applications.

Under Rimmer’s ownership until his untimely death at sea in 1994, and since then under Downs-Honey and Jones, High Modulus has flourished into a leading supplier of composite materials, technology and structural engineering solutions to customers in all four corners of the world. With landmark projects such as the first fibreglass 12 Metres America’s Cup yachts; Mirabella V, the world’s largest single-masted sailing yacht; and Ermis2, a 60 knot 37m all-carbon motoryacht, it would be easy to mistake the company as one focused on high performance and extreme applications. However, High Modulus has always had one goal in mind – to promote composite construction throughout the marine industry.

Over the last decade, the company has brought its technical expertise to a much wider range of marine applications, including everything from sailing superyachts, to commercial vessels, to high volume production motorboats. This experience, coupled with a strong R & D programme, has ensured that High Modulus has stayed ahead of the game in both the theoretical and practical aspects of composite design and construction.

One innovation that has been developed over recent years is the B3 SmartPac solution. Initially aimed at production boatbuilders, the SmartPac (a package of optimised engineering design, and pre-cut, pre-labelled dry reinforcement and core materials) has attracted builders of one-off boats. Offering a range of benefits including reduced in-mould time, improved quality control, and reduced labour and materials costs, the SmartPac is now being supplied to production and custom boatbuilders in New Zealand, Australia, China, Taiwan, Russia, the USA and South Africa.

Looking ahead, as High Modulus reaches out to more customers across the globe, its infrastructure and operation as an international company is critical. With headquarters in New Zealand, and a European office of some 15 years, High Modulus opened its Australian and Chinese manufacturing and sales operations in 2008. High Modulus currently boasts a staff of around one hundred across its offices.

In January, High Modulus announced a number of management changes to take the company into a new era. Paul Goddard was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Richard Downs-Honey was appointed International Sales Director, and Gary Brownrigg was appointed General Manager of High Modulus Australia.

High Modulus has seen many changes in the use of composites in the marine sector over the last 30 years, and has been instrumental in many of them. With continued vision, drive and a passion to succeed, the company is looking forward to the next 30.