DEBOTECH
COMPOSITES AND COMPASSION
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DEBOTECH
I
PROFILE
Composites and A pioneering company manufacturing carbon fibre and composite parts, deBotech has over 20 years’ experience in delivering advanced solutions to industry leaders, sportspeople, and specialist applications. Utilising advanced manufacturing techniques and a state-of-the-art production facility, deBotech is poised to continue its meteoric rises in this sector. Jordan Yallop caught up with CEO Hans deBot, or ‘Carbon Hans’ as he’s known by his peers. 2
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the late 1990s, Hans deBot would spend many nights in his small garage, toiling away until the early hours manufacturing and finessing carbon fiber components and refining his ambitions. Today from his office in Mooresville, North Carolina, Mr deBot, CEO of deBotech remains exceptionally humble about a career that has quite literally flashed before his eyes. Those ambitions, he admits, have paid him back big time. At the core of these life-changing moments, with his beloved wife, Jamye, together with his daughter and son by his side, is carbon fibre, whether as components for NASCAR teams or providing for such industries as aerospace, aviation, maritime, and the military.
Land, sea, and air
The demand for deBotech’s expertise is simple: the desire for a lighter material compared to traditional heavier ones for all kinds of applications. Carbon fibre is king whether it be for land, sea, or air. More than 20 years back, Hans deBot worked for a sailboat mast manufacturer in Charlotte, North Carolina. During this time, the company, which mainly used aluminium to build sailboat spars, began a carbon fibre division. “The company brought someone in, and he failed. So, I was asked to have a shot at it and I helped develop a process to build a one-piece continuous fibre hollow sailboat spar for Americas Cup boats and race boats all over the world,” recalled Mr deBot.
Having anchored his expertise, and running the company’s engineering division, Mr deBot generated interest from NASCAR racing teams in his local area of Mooresville – Race City USA – to build carbon fibre parts for their vehicles. It was in the offcuts or scraps generated from the carbon fibre during his daytime job, that he spotted an opportunity to reuse for other applications and race car parts. So in 1998, deBotech was formed. “My old employers thought it was a good idea, but two weeks later, the owners split, and that interest died. So, I decided to do it on my own. I worked in the day job till 9pm and worked diligently in the garage of my house till the early hours, developing carbon fibre parts for racing cars,” he affirmed. Mr deBot said his side business kept growing, still predominantly within automotive until he was challenged to build a bobsled for one of the US teams for the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. “I’d never built a bobsled in my life, but it was a new challenge. I built a bobsled and made it to Salt Lake City. The Technical Director from USA bobsled, Bob Cuneo, called and said: ‘Hans, that’s a work of art, let’s get working with you.’” Since that day, Mr deBot has worked with the US bobsled team, even seeing the team claim the gold medal in 2010. He has been building the full bobsleds and skeletons since 2012.
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DEBOTECH
I
PROFILE
On the automotive side, deBotech has been heavily involved with General Motors since 2014 and produces carbon fibre components for its vehicles. On the 2019 ZR1, deBotech built the majority of the carbon fibre products and is now working on the new mid-engine C8 Corvette, and other multi-level products for future Corvette models. “Our state-of-the-art production facility and advanced manufacturing techniques ensure each part we produce is held to aerospace tolerances,” asserted Mr deBot. “We utilise a total systems approach, encompassing design support through production to ensure customers are satisfied.” He added: “We are currently in expansion mode and want to ramp back up to not only two full production shifts, but a third. It is an open invitation to anyone in the UK and Europe who wants a great career to look us up and consider coming out here.” Such is the demand for deBotech’s products that 75% of output is dedicated to automotive.
Untapped potential Mr deBot pinpointed one challenge in general that is potentially stopping the sector from showing its true potential: skilled manpower. “Finding self-motivated, self-driven and focused individuals is becoming 4
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more difficult,” he said. “We have 12 million unemployed in the USA, but deBotech has difficulty finding 75 people who want a rewarding career and to help us expand further.” He added: “The automotive OEM world is very challenging, but we have the rigours, resilience, and tenacity to succeed. What sets us apart is the level of technology and to build better, provide the best customer service, and enjoy the journey. That’s why we have close relationships and support suppliers and clients alike. Ultimately, we are committed to being the number-one carbon fibre and advanced composite parts manufacturer in the world. “This industry has one of the greatest potential growths wrapped around smart vehicles, energy, conservation, safety: all these avenues carbon fibre has input into.” Mr deBot explained that automation is being used for certain aspects of the manufacturing process currently. “We’ve introduced quite a bit of automation in one of the stages, which is preparation for coatings and paint; we have a lot of automation associated with any bonded components. When you are bonding any structures together, it’s all done with automation robots. “That’s the one thing about unique building, they’re still artistic and style prod-
A composite business Mr deBot revealed the company was currently engaged in research work for an American doctor working in the UAE to develop a donor heart transport unit. But the medical applications for the company’s products is not limited to humans. “We’re also working with a vet, Bill Bickley, of PALS, from Texas, who approached us wanting to make carbon fibre prosthetic limbs for dogs. I looked at the product, believed in it, and we undertook the R&D ourselves and got to a level where it now works. There’s nothing like seeing the joy in an owner’s face or the happiness in the dog giving them their mobility back. It is truly inspirational.”
He added: “Carbon is growing in levels of excitement and energy conservation all over the world. People want to build lighter cars, but in motor racing, vehicle weight has always been critical.” Growth and volume have continued a substantial upward trajectory for the company, while expertise and technology have combined to build parts better, lighter and more complex. It is the experience of the company that sets itself apart from the competition and Mr deBot is of the firm opinion that this is not an industry anyone can walk into. “We can provide more technologically advanced products that others simply can’t manufacture,” stated Mr deBot. “I understand carbon fibre, plus I am not afraid to have the backbone to take risks. I have challenged myself many times, told clients to give me a shot at what they want, and I can build their products.” Mr deBot was keen to stress that if you’re willing to work with passion, then
Mr deBot, CEO of deBotech
ucts, and it still takes an artisan to do it, which is what I love about it, as a person can feel very self-rewarding to know that it’s an artist building the product rather than just some guy standing in a spot pushing a button every day.”
he will welcome anyone from anywhere because deBotech is ready to continue its growth. “Even though we see challenges every day, you’ve just got to figure out how to work the challenges and make the positives shine well above the negatives that we’re all dealing with currently,” he concluded. n
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