QUICKSTEP HOLDINGS LIMITED ASX/Media Release 20th July 2015
PRESCHE project confirms Quickstep's superior automotive manufacturing technology Sydney, 20th July 2015- Advanced manufacturing company Quickstep Holdings (ASX: QHL) is pleased to announce the completion of a German government‐funded project that has confirmed Quickstep's ability to manufacture niche volume carbon fibre composite vehicle parts more efficiently than traditional processes.
In the final report submitted to a consortium of industry partners including the German Government and leading car manufacturer Audi, the PRESCHE project demonstrated the ability of Quickstep's resin spray transfer (RST) and Qure technologies to produce paintable, 'Class A' surface composite parts at a lower cost than traditional autoclave processes in niche volumes of up to 10,000 parts per annum. These technologies also produced a demonstrator roof system for an Audi A1 vehicle.
Commencing in November 2011, the PRESCHE project focused on the delivery of commercial composite car parts using a number of new technologies. A key outcome was the successful automation of some of the key steps in composite part manufacturing to deliver 'Class A' finish automotive parts such as bonnets, decklids and canopies.
Quickstep managing director, David Marino, said: "Spearheading the PRESCHE project alongside several German automotive industry participants has proved invaluable, helping to broaden our technical knowledge and expertise to provide cost effective automotive manufacturing solutions."
"The project highlighted the capability and benefits of our industry‐disruptive technologies, validating our Phase 1 automotive strategy to focus initially on lower volume opportunities. This has assisted in securing Quickstep's first two automotive contracts, with manufacturing expected to commence in early 2016."
"We look forward to building on the success of the PRESCHE project and further developing our innovative technologies including the new RapidQure process aimed at higher volumes."
The Qure technology is a unique, patented technology that moulds carbon‐fibre components using fluids instead of standard autoclave techniques, reducing costs and processing time. It uses the company's RST technology to create carbon fibre parts with a 'Class A' surface finish more efficiently than traditional systems. Quickstep provides a turnkey manufacturing solution for aerospace, defence and automotive clients.
The PRESCHE project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany under grant number 02PJ2050 and supervised by the Projektträger Karlsruhe (PTKA). The responsibility for the contents of this publication is with the author.
Background on Quickstep Holdings Limited
Quickstep Holdings (ASX:QHL) is a manufacturer of advanced carbon fibre composites for the aerospace and automotive industries. The company operates from state‐of‐the‐art aerospace manufacturing facilities at Bankstown Airport in Sydney, NSW; a production site for automotive in Waurn Ponds, Victoria; and an office in Munich, Germany.
Quickstep is an approved supplier for the international F‐35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program ‐ the largest military aerospace program in the world, valued in excess of US$300 billion worldwide. To date, more than 130 JSF aircraft have been delivered to the US Department of Defense, and this number is now expected to grow rapidly. The company has also been selected by Lockheed Martin as the sole supplier of composite wing flaps for the C‐130J "Super Hercules" military transport aircraft. Quickstep is currently partnering with some of the world's largest aerospace/defence organisations, including the US Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Airbus.
Quickstep is also developing patented manufacturing technologies to produce high‐volume A‐grade finished composite components for automotives. The company has secured a letter of intent to deliver components for Thales Australia's Hawkei protected mobility vehicle.
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For further information:
Investors Media
David Marino - Managing Director Ashley Rambukwella / Robert Williams
Quickstep Holdings Limited Financial & Corporate Relations
Telephone: +61‐2 9774 0300 Telephone: +61 2 8264 1004 / 0407 231 282
E: dmarino@quickstep.com.auor +61 2 8264 1003 / 0468 999 369
or: E: a.rambukwella@fcr.com.auor r.williams@fcr.com.au
Visit www.quickstep.com.au
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