Former academic Tony Trapp launches new company

Jun 29 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

The launch team is made up of engineers with experience in the offshore wind, wave and tidal stream, oil and gas, submarine telecom and defence sectors. OP intends to use this expertise to develop of effective and commercially viable solutions for the offshore wind industry.

Dr Trapp originally planned to start the business next month but the launch was pushed forward to take advantage of the Offshore Wind 2010 conference opening in Liverpool today [Tuesday].

Dr Trapp said: “We have a two-pronged attack. We hope to develop some new technology we think is needed in the industry. That will be a six months to a year project.

“Then we will be looking opportunistically at what is happening in the industry. I am confident that we can develop some excellent engineering solutions that can help to make a difference to offshore wind systems, improving the technology to increase safety and reduce cost.”

It is part of his aim to make the region known as an area of expertise for specialist engineering solutions.

“You need to establish niches of technology where you are the best,” said Dr Trapp.

“In the long term, OP will almost certainly become an IHC company. If it is successful, we will have created a new technology business in the North East.

“I want to create a good team of inspired people, to attract high quality people and high quality work.”

In addition to OP and his continuing role as IHC Engineering Business’ chairman Dr Trapp owns Trapp Engineering LLP, which is developing a domestic heating product. He has commissioned the pre-production prototypes and is aiming to launching the product in six to nine months’ time.

He is also the main investor in Newcastle University-based Touchscape. Dr Trapp put £55,000 into the business and owns 20% of the company.