Professor Jesus Talamantes-Silva. MD of RD26, talks to TM about Sheffield Forgemasters’ latest spin off venture.
Sheffield Forgemasters, the high tech heavy engineering firm, today announced that it has launched its seventh subsidiary, Sheffield Forgemasters RD26 Ltd.
This organisation will provide engineering consultancy to Sheffield Forgemaster’s internal network and increase the value of external contracts through offering project management and engineering advice. The new managing director of RD26 is Professor Jesus Talamantes-Silva, formerly research director at Sheffield Forgemasters.
TM: When were you first convinced that the launch of RD26 would be a viable commercial venture for Sheffield Forgemasters?
In the past few years we have been involved in some very challenging engineering projects. We were sought out for these because of our expertise in computer modelling and the company’s long history of producing large complex components.
Working on these projects I realised we had developed a unique combination of skills that would allow us to set up RD26.
TM: Who stands to benefit most from the services you have to offer?
Engineering companies which require large complex forgings and castings. Typically these include: general engineering, defence, power generation and offshore sectors.
Increasingly these companies are seeking larger and more complex components with fewer welds. Our challenge is to develop the processes to produce these components whilst ensuring the mechanical properties are achieved.
TM: What is the biggest risk in the launch of RD26?
Keeping the right balance between the services we offer whilst protecting the company’s invaluable IP.
TM: Does RD26 have some specific targets for its short term success?
In the short term we aim to manage our own contracts with the view to increase our resources and company revenue in the next three to five years – our initial target is to achieve £15million-£20millionin revenues within this time.
In 2009 Sheffield Forgemasters won TM’s Export Manufacturer of the Year Award.
To find out about the categories available to enter at The Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2012 go to: www.themanufacturer.com/awards
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