Pulling Strings

by Monica Cardenas

EMP Composites Seeks to Diversify

CM: What is the nature of your business?
DL: Composite engineering consultancy with specialization in computer-aided engineering, design/drafting using CATIA V5 and FEA with an in-house physical testing laboratory for process development in closed-mold applications. Market sectors include marine, renewable energy, transportation and industrial.

CM: How many employees do you have?
DL: 4

CM: What is your company’s background?
DL: An autonomous division of Nuplex Industries, a chemical concern and manufacturer of polymeric resins. All EMP employees are degree qualified Naval Architects and mechanical engineers.

CM: How has it evolved from its beginnings?
DL: The main evolution has been to commission an in-house physical testing laboratory used to validate our process assumptions with composites and to generate bespoke design data used in proprietary designs that we undertake.

CM: How did you get started in the industry?
DL: Originally in design/naval architecture with a great interest in composite and lightweight structures.

CM: What obstacles does your company face today in the regulatory or technical arenas?
DL: Acceptance of composites in the civil and infrastructure fields due to lack of familiarity, lack of complete design codes, perceived/actual cost increments associated with composites, emissions of VOCs driving the industry towards closed mold processes.

CM: What are your marketing efforts?
DL: Web, seminars, industry association membership and exhibiting at boat shows and composites conferences in Australia, Asia and Dubai.

CM: What development or research would you like to see happen to improve the industry?
DL: Development of standards for composites in all significant areas of civil and infrastructure engineering and development/education in composites for all structural engineering disciplines.

CM: Where do you see your business in five years?
DL: More diverse and less reliant on the traditional marine market for composites.

CM: How are you staying on the cutting edge?
DL: Continuing education and training and a close design link-up between our CATIA V5 software and a selection process underway to identify the best finite element analysis tool for composites.

Monica Cardenas is the assistant editor of CM magazine. She can be reached at 703.682.1651 or mcardenas@acmanet.org.