Racing to the finish

Carbon Revolution invents another solution

CARBON Revolution says new technology that enhances the finish of its unique high-performance wheels as they are made is a “gamechanger”.

The Geelong company has applied for a patent for the technology, known as “fascia”, with the first commercial sales of the wheels using it to start next month.

“Fascia” also addresses a disconnect that had developed as Carbon Revolution ramped up production this year between the rate it was able to output moulding of its one-piece carbon fibre wheels and the rate it was able to finish them.

Chief executive officer Jake Dingle said a challenge for any manufacturer using composite materials in the auto industry was to get the aesthetics right through the manufacturing process.

“(The new technology) is a clever way to separate the manufacturing processes that create the complex structural part of the wheel, which is what gives its performance benefits, from the almost equally important aesthetics,” he said.

“We are able to deliver a perfect structural product and also achieve aesthetic perfection at the same time without the two detracting from each other. It’s a game-changer for us.”

In announcing its full-year financial results, Carbon Revolution revealed it had sold about 14,000 wheels in the 12 months to the end of June and increased its production capacity for moulding to 30,000 wheels a year by the final quarter.

However, Mr Dingle told investors the lower finishing rate, which was significantly compounded by the impacts of COVID-19, had impacted on sales and increased the level of “work in progress” beyond what had been planned.

Mr Dingle said the new fascia technology addressed most of the quality issues, provided a materially enhanced finish to the wheels and reduced costs. “Fascia technology is being implemented with customers now and the first commercial sales of wheels featuring it will occur through September,” he said.

“It will be progressively introduced over most of our existing programs and all future programs.”

Carbon Revolution continues to invest heavily in innovation, spending more than $17m on R & D in the last year. The only industrial manufacturer of carbon fibre wheels in the world, Carbon Revolution has 43 patents in eight patent families, with further patents pending.

“Research and development will continue to be a focus for us and is critical to the success of the company,” Mr Dingle said.

Carbon Revolution reported an underlying loss of $17.1m despite a

167 per cent increase in revenue from wheel sales.

New programs for the Ford Mustang GT500, Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Renault Megane RS Trophy-R contributed 38 per cent towards total wheel sales revenue of $36.8m.