VT Halmatic said that Professor Bob Cripps, currently Engineering Manager at the RNLI, will be joining VT Halmatic as Technical Director as of May 9, 2005.
Professor Cripps worked at Lloyds before moving to the RNLI and has extensive technical knowledge and experience of small craft and composite technology.
The continuing challenge for technical excellence is essential to the VT Halmatic business plan. Professor Bob Cripps will lead the technical team supported by Dr Andrew Humphries, Marine Design Manager and Dr Robin Mableson, who heads up the Composite Technology Centre.
The VT Composite Technology Centre (CTC) was formed in 2001 by the amalgamation of composite expertise from various divisions within the VT Group. The CTC provides engineering solutions across a wide range of composite applications, from design to production.
As part of an ongoing diversification program, The CTC also manages a wide range of projects outside of the shipbuilding market.
Contracts have been successfully completed in the military, transport, offshore, nuclear and civil engineering industries.
The company operates from two sites; Portchester Shipyard, a purpose built yard occupying a 15 acre waterfront site at the top of Portsmouth Harbour and Sandquay, Dartmouth where the company has recently redeveloped the site to offer enhanced refit capability in the South West.
The company’s extensive marine client list includes the UK Ministry of Defence, the RNLI, H.M. Customs & Excise as well as many of the world’s leading commercial, military, police and rescue authorities.
Managing Director Mike Burnham announced “The Company is delighted to welcome Bob to the VT Halmatic team and we look forward to Bob’s considerable expertise helping us to further develop technically excellent products and services for all our Customers”.