JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 4

point of view: bespoke solutions

Formax : Delivering tailored fabric solutions

Oliver Wessely,
Managing Director,
Formax

JEC Composites Magazine:
What are Formax’s markets?
And what gave you such rapid
expansion recently?

Oliver Wessely : We

work within several sectors
including Wind Energy,
Automotive, Marine, Sports
and the Industrial markets.
Our products are bespoke
and unique, therefore our
range of applications are
amazingly diverse. We do not
depend on one specific market but enjoy working with a
variety of customers. We have
expanded rapidly over the
past two years, especially in

the Automotive arena. This
expansion is partly due to
the funding we have received
from Barclays. This allowed
us to purchase and install
several machines in 2011 and
2012 and we are very appreciative of their support. We
are after all a private company
and rely on our bankers and
not on private outside investments.
JCM: By the way, who are your
shareholders?

O.W. : Formax is a pri-

vately owned company with
three shareholders: a family
trust and two individuals.
This means that unlike a private equity owned business
we can afford to invest longer

term than most organisations
because we have a personal
interest and commitment to
the business. With the use
of composites continuing to
expand, it’s a great market to
be in, and together we intend
to lay the foundations for our
continued growth in the next
five years.
JCM: What are your activities
in Wind Energy?

“

interview

Non Crimp Fabrics or Multiaxials are now commonly used
across a range of applications including the Wind Energy sector. Whilst some suppliers focus on commodity materials, other
more demanding niche markets require bespoke engineered
solutions. The company Formax is one of the few specialists in
this field. Here is the point of view of Oliver Wessely, Formax’s
Managing Director, about this unique and evolving market.

O.W. : Since the company’s

We like customers
with problems, with
very demanding
applications

About Formax

“

formation we have worked
with a number of major blade
manufacturers, both directly,
and indirectly via pre-preggers. Formax continues to
expand into the wind market
and the key element of our
work has been the develop-

Wind Energy, Marine, Sports, Automotive and Industrial
Products. In addition to these sectors, FORMAX excels in
FORMAX is a leading global manufacturer of compodesigning and delivering optimised products and bespoke
site reinforcements, specialising in the production of
material solutions in many end-use applications. FORMAX
lightweight carbon fibre multiaxials, glass and aramid
supplies customers in Australasia, the Middle East, the
fibres. Through continuous investment in research,
USA, South America and throughout Europe. All manufacdevelopment and new technology, FORMAX manufactures turing processes adhere to stringent ISO 9001 standards
reinforcement products that are stronger, lighter and
and the company’s full ranges of carbon multiaxials have
more cost effective. The company’s key markets include
recently achieved a DNV qualification.

4 jec composites magazine / No78 January - February 2013
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013

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