Dr Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter OBE was delighted to be asked to conduct International Trade Magazine’s Big Interview.
In his role as Chairman at Coltraco Ultrasonics and Director-General of the Durham Institute of Research, Development & Invention, Carl discussed a variety of topics from operating in safety-critical sectors and exporting to the Defence-Industry-Academia relationship and Innovation. This interview provides greater insight into our wider organisation beyond just the company.
Coltraco Ultrasonics are a Manufacturing, Scientific, Research and Technological Development & Solutions Organisation comprising:
- The Company, Coltraco Ultrasonics
- Our Laboratory, co-located at the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) at Durham University
- The Durham Institute of Research, Development & Invention (DIRDI)
- The Centre for Underwater Acoustic Analysis (CUAA)
The International Trade Magazine November- December 2024
The Company: Coltraco Ultrasonics
“Coltraco Ultrasonics are a high-exporting advanced manufacturer of instrumentation and systems to save lives” – page 10
Founded in 1987, Coltraco Ultrasonics has been at the forefront of research, design and manufacture advanced ultrasonic instrumentation and systems for protecting safety-critical infrastructures. We differentiate ourselves by entering every discussion with you as an integrated technical partner – providing you with the ideal solution for your needs that showcases our scientific expertise and through-life commitment to our customers.
Safeship™ – Our instruments are installed on 17% of the world’s 60,000 ships, safeguarding against catastrophic failures by monitoring watertight integrity and ensuring the safe containment of fire-extinguishing gases like CO2. These principles underpin our status as a Safeship™ company in the maritime sector.
Safesite™ – Serving over 20 market sectors, our instruments ensure that safety-critical systems—such as gaseous fire suppression systems, sprinkler systems, and process control equipment in high-value assets—function effectively. In the Built Environment, our technology identifies airtightness and energy loss. This commitment makes us a Safesite™ company on land.
Our Laboratory
“Coltraco Ultrasonics has a strong emphasis on sustainability and technological innovation. How do you see the intersection of these areas shaping the future of safety-critical sectors?
They are inseparable, as your question sensibly indicated. Coltraco Ultrasonics are a top 35 global vendor in wind energy, and the global leader in testing the Built Environment in airtightness and energy loss. Human life if sacrosanct. We can therefore extend your fine question and consider sustainable technological innovation as indivisible from safety-criticality. My company is, in specific technological areas, at the intersection of all three.” – page 11
Home to the Research, Development, Design & Ergonomics Department.
Our scientists, analysts, and engineers in the lab conduct research to deliver world-leading technology. This contributes to our reputation for innovation, quality and reliability. Our technologies are used across a diverse array of 25+ Market Sectors, from shipping and naval, to safety engineering, from process control to mining, from offshore energy to renewables, from healthcare to the built environment.
We are committed to innovation and will work with you at every stage of your enquiry as an integrated technical partner, providing you with the solution you require.
The Durham Institute of Research, Development, and Invention
“DIRDI is my great privilege” – page 10
The Durham Institute of Research, Development, and Invention (DIRDI) is a scientific research institute established by Coltraco Ltd in partnership with Durham University and based at ORBIT NETPark, Durham.
The freedom to experiment and think without constraint nor fear of failure is fundamental to the successful conduct of scientific research to a level that benefits civilisation. By definition, world-changing innovation is achieved by applying intelligent thought to a subject in a way that is novel, rather than through pursuing prescribed processes.
Our Institute must value the freedom to discover over a quest for funding and utilise its commercialisation component instead. In generating a reputation for unconstricted discovery we will become funded by those who share our vision in any case.
The Centre for Underwater Acoustic Analysis (CUAA)
“What are the critical challenges facing the UK’s maritime and defence industries in the current geopolitical landscape? How should we address these challanges?” – question asked on page 10.
It is the Chairman’s “gift to the nation” and specifically to the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service, to do whatever research it can to ensure that every Submarine that is “sent out, comes safely home”, is more
effective when on patrol, and enhance the Royal Navy’s strategic role to ensure global security and
global stability, the pre-requisites of global prosperity, a United Kingdom national interest.
The whole organisation embodies the principle that “the only good science is truthful science”. They are well positioned to work with HM Government as a national “brains trust” in the development of new ways to undertake UK Science & Technology to meet the “Science Superpower” aim. It is hoped that the unique research ecosystem created by Dr Hunter represents a new way for UK Industry and UK Academia to work together in a “whole of nation” endeavour so that we may we secure the next 70 years of global stability, security and prosperity.
