Three men gathered in a converted garage north of Auckland, New Zealand 25 years ago and dreamed of what the composite technology they had mastered could do.

These were the early days of High Modulus, a company which has grown from such humble beginnings into an international company lauded as a world-wide leader in composite technology and structural engineering for the marine industry.

Back then, they realised the possible applications for the then-novel technology were diverse, but their hearts were on the water.  

Company founder Bob Rimmer had employed Richard Downs-Honey and Brian Jones fresh from university. The trio shared a love of boating and decided to focus on supplying composite materials and engineering services to the boat-building industry.

When Rimmer was tragically lost at sea while ocean-cruising in the mid-90s, Downs-Honey and Jones became the principal shareholders and maintained the company’s commitment to the marine industry.

If there was ever a moment when that dedication to the industry was confirmed as a sound decision it was in the mid-1980s when High Modulus was instrumental in developing New Zealand’s attention-grabbing inaugural challengers for the America’s Cup - the world’s first fibreglass 12m yachts that would sail off Fremantle.

Since then, the company has remained active in the America’s Cup, and provided structural engineering and/or composite materials to three of the 2007 syndicates.

Sailing yachts, particularly race boats, gave the company its big break and remain a significant part of the business thanks to projects such as Mirabella V, Wally 98 Alexia, and the 30m maxi Maximus.

But power boat projects now account for a substantial proportion of High Modulus’ work, including recent projects yacht-fisher Mea Culpa, Royal Denship 82 Open, and Cheoy Lee 95.

Beyond those large one-off projects, High Modulus also uses its expertise for production boats, commercial craft and composite components such as masts and booms.

While maintaining its headquarters in Auckland, High Modulus has had a base in Britain for more than 10 years, which means it is well-placed to service Europe and the northern hemisphere with its engineering expertise.

The company’s formidable expertise - rigorous theoretical knowledge backed by hands-on, practical experience – underpins all its work.

 

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