New impetus at TECOSIM in the US
In March, Dermott Carr became the Managing Director of TECOSIM in the US. In an interview, he tells us why the Detroit metropolitan area is the perfect choice for our American location. He also explains why he is passionate about computer-aided engineering and outlines his vision for TECOSIM in North America.
Dermott, you already have an impressive career in the automotive industry behind you. Can you tell us something about your career path and the key milestones in your career?
Thanks for the compliment. My career path has indeed been almost entirely dominated by the automotive industry. I started with an OEM and learned about the inner workings of such huge organisations – what works and what doesn’t. Not exactly a milestone, but a very valuable time in my career. The next major milestone was moving on to an engineering services role, which coincided with a move to the US. This exposed me not only to a very diverse customer base and requirements, but also to Detroit, the automotive capital of the world. Next, I took on an international role, overseeing teams in different global locations. This was an education in different cultures and mindsets and an opportunity to turn the team’s diversity into a strategic advantage that drives productivity, innovation and global success. I have now reached the next milestone with my new role at TECOSIM.
What do you find most interesting about the Managing Director role at TECOSIM in the US?
It’s hard to narrow it down to a single answer. Although TECOSIM has enjoyed a successful presence in North America for a number of years, there are huge opportunities for growth. It will be a challenge. That’s what excites me and we’ll be successful! There are so many potential customers that we can help to achieve their technical goals. TECOSIM has so much to offer globally and I look forward to bringing that to the US and to growing the team.
What is your vision for TECOSIM’s future in North America?
To be recognised as one of the best automotive simulation suppliers in the North American region, delivering not only resources but also technical excellence to our clients.
You have already sent out strong signals with the opening of the new headquarters in the Detroit metropolitan area. Why did you choose Michigan?
Detroit is, in my opinion, the centre of the automotive industry. After all, it’s known as the Motor City. With the three major domestic OEMs operating here, the Japanese OEMs with engineering centres here or nearby and a huge number of tier-one and tier-two suppliers in the area, southeast Michigan is still the automotive hub. Not only are our clients located or represented here; the engineering talent pool is also deep and wide.
You studied mechanical engineering in the UK and Ireland. What made you choose a career as an engineer?
All my life, I’ve been fascinated with how things work – as a child I used to take things apart and put them together again. As a teenager, I played around with cars and engines. This combined with my passion for problem-solving, my urge to innovate and my aptitude for mathematics meant there really was no other choice but mechanical engineering.
And why did you then go on to specialise in CAE?
CAE brought together my love for solving structural problems with my hobby of computing. Initially, I regarded CAE as a way to perform a multitude of calculations with incredible speed and accuracy to drive design. To me as a young engineer, this represented the best of many worlds.
Can you tell us a little more about your expertise in computer-aided engineering? What do you see as the concrete advantages for customers?
My CAE experience started out in durability, which I specialized in for a number of years before eventually transitioning to durability process automation – how can we combine the things we do to achieve our design options more quickly? We have taken leaps and bounds forward in this field, which now encompasses all areas of simulation. The advantages for our customers is grounded in the same principle as always – CAE allows them to bring their designs to market faster, more safely, in a lighter configuration and at a lower cost. Here at TECOSIM, we are leading the way in determining how these processes can best be combined and, in this ever-evolving world of AI, things are only going to get better.
What do you do when you’re not working for TECOSIM? What are your favourite pastimes?
Great question! I’m blessed to live in the state of Michigan, where we have a beautiful outdoors, which I enjoy when I can – running and hiking. When I’m not doing this or working, cooking is a passion. Barbecuing is a great pastime. I love experimenting and recreating international dishes at home. Cooking, after all, is just engineering with different ingredients.
Many thanks for talking to us, Dermott Carr.
