Quickstep hires former top Holden engineer

AUSTRALIAN carbon-fibre composite components manufacturer Quickstep Holdings has appointed former GM Holden managing engineer Tim Olding as vice-president of systems.

Joining on February 19, just a day after the company’s new chief executive – former Futuris Automotive chief operating officer David Marino – officially took up office, Mr Olding further bolsters the senior management team as Quickstep is expanding its operations and negotiating with several automotive parts suppliers over the use of its patented carbon-fibre technologies.

Mr Olding has more than 25 years’ experience in the automotive industry, including 19 at Holden across a variety of product development roles, including managing engineer with the Australian manufacturer’s advanced vehicle development centre.

Upon leaving Holden late in 2008, Mr Olding has worked as an industry consultant, focusing on energy and technology solutions for the transport sector, and was chief engineer of EV Engineering during the company’s short period of operation, playing a key role in the development of a fully electric Holden Commodore prototype from 2011 to 2013.

During that time he was also working with electric vehicle infrastructure provider Better Place.

Mr Olding subsequently served as chief engineer for Axiflux, which is commercialising a range of electric motors and generators after acquiring the assets from EV Engineering.

EV Engineering was dismantled when the last remaining joint-venture partners pulled out in the wake of General Motors’ announcement late in 2013 that it was quitting Australian manufacturing in 2017 – a decision that would switch off the tap for the project’s donor car.

Since mid-2014, Mr Olding has worked with Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne on electric vehicle projects.

At Quickstep, Mr Olding will lead all engineering and research and development worldwide. The company said in a statement released last week that he will drive the development of the patented ‘Quickstep process’ and ‘resin spray transfer’ (RST) process and their application in the aerospace and automotive industries.

He will also manage Quickstep’s patents and intellectual property strategy.

“We are delighted to appoint someone of Tim’s calibre to the VP systems role,” Mr Marino said. “He will enable us to drive the leadership of Quickstep’s technology development from Australia.

“His experience managing technological programs and financial returns on complex engineering projects will allow us to place greater focus on taking our IP to market and further developing our capabilities.”Quickstep’s manufacturing facilities are based at Bankstown airport in Sydney.

As GoAuto has reported, the company recently announced the creation of an automotive division to be located on the Waurn Ponds campus of Deakin University in Geelong.

The company is currently conducting R&D programs with car-makers including Audi aimed at delivering advanced carbon-fibre composite and specialised resins.

Late last year Quickstep was named as the preferred supplier of a number of external panels for the Hawkei army vehicle being developed by Thales.

It is also an approved supplier for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program – described as the largest military aerospace program in the world, valued in excess of $US300 billion ($A384b) worldwide – and has won the supply contract of composite wing flaps for Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft.