User:Ryan.J.Stevens/sandbox

Overview
As part of the Caterham Group, Caterham Composites was founded in November, 2011 as a specialist company delivering turn-key lightweight solutions to all industries. With a unique experience, spanning more than 25 years, combined with groundbreaking technology and free-thinking environment means we can deliver tailored innovation for our customer. As a project-based company, the Lotus T127 or the interior design of the Bombardier Global Express XRS are only a few ventures realized by the company.

History
In 2007 the Managing Directors Phil Hall and Duncan Bell founded the Hall & Bell GbR in Cologne after leaving Toyota Motorsport GmbH. Having worked with Mike Gascoyne in the past, the company worked on the Lotus T127 beginning in 2009 resulting in the acceptance of Lotus Racing F1 into FIA F1 Championship 2010. The following year the company became a legal entity as Composite Designs EU GmbH. In November 2011 Caterham Group purchased the company and since then Composite Designs EU GmbH trades as Caterham Composites. From the central-European base in cosmopolitan Cologne, with its rich industrial and automotive heritage, Caterham Composites have put together an outstanding team with a huge cross-section of nationalities, experiences and interests.

Marine
Caterham Composites designed a bespoke sliding coach roof for Alex Thomson’s Open 60 ‘HUGO BOSS’, to protect the sailor from the harsh conditions expected during the Vendée Globe, and to help Alex Thomson perform to his full potential. Materials of intermediate modulus carbon fibers in various forms were used as well as foam and Nomex to guarantee its lightness and stiffness. The final roof design suffered no failures in any load case at a total mass of 36 kg, whilst working to exactly the expected and required stiffness. It provided shelter from the waves without limiting the physical capabilities of Alex when he was sailing the yacht and due to the work completed by HyperWorks and the experience of the Caterham Composites and Altair engineers, the design was right the first time. The roof was designed, optimised, and produced in the given time frame and using all available materials.



Motorsport
In 2009/2012 the concept of Caterham Composites was born out of the Lotus T127 Project. The company was commissioned with the design and development of the Formula One car Lotus Racing T127 given a tight time frame. The success of the Lotus Racing T127 was legendary - out of three new teams in 2010, Lotus Racing recorded the best results. As part of the Caterham Group, the F1 Team is now referred to as Caterham F1.

Aerospace
The first aerospace project was realized in conjunction with Design Q for the Bombardier Global Express XRS. The major tasks for the project included engineering and procurement work. The aerospace industry is one of Caterham Composites’ key areas and will drive business significantly.



Being part of the Caterham Group benefits each entity and enhances the overall business to achieve its goals.