“Omodo was established late in 2004 to exploit the commercial potential of the Zelfo process patent focusing on the emerging ecologically orientated, designer furniture and lighting market.” - Interview with Richard Hurding

Klaus-Martin Meyer: Mr. Hurding, you are the Managing Director of Omodo. Would you please introduce your company to our readers?

Richard Hurding: Omodo was established late in 2004 to exploit the commercial potential of the Zelfo process patent focusing on the emerging ecologically orientated, designer furniture and lighting market. Through experience we discovered that each product area requires particular Zelfo material properties. R&D requires funding and on this basis we chose to concentrate on working with successful firms with existing markets and a strong interest in design focused ecological solutions. This strategy has led us to concentrate only on licensing and R&D leaving product manufacturing itself to the licensees.

Klaus-Martin Meyer: Zelfo has won a couple of (international) awards since 1993. In my awareness the real breakthrough has still to come. What is the status quo of Zelfo?

Richard Hurding: In the last two years Zelfo has undergone massive positive change. Most criteria which were established in the early years have been improved and further techniques have been developed. We are working with international companies and universities to achieve this.

Klaus-Martin Meyer: On your website you can see high quality premium products. For which kind of products Zelfo is especially suitable?

Richard Hurding: The most astounding product produced in the last year must be the new range of guitars known as MADA2 by Adam Wehsely-Swiczinsky of the AWS designteam together with Neubauer guitars and Drum Param. This product was recently shown in red dot design museum at the “Designzentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen”. Also of interest are the large scale interior products made by Zelfo Australia.

Klaus-Martin Meyer: You are offering licenses for single international markets. Can you tell some success stories from your partners?

Richard Hurding: Confidentiality is an important part of our relationship with our licensees. Therefore it would not be prudent to discuss many of our recent development based successes. A couple of products in the public realm I have already mentioned above.

Klaus-Martin Meyer: At the end as usal our “five-years-questions”. Where will Zelfo stand in five years time?

Richard Hurding: We believe that Automotive and high quality flat (board) products for use in various areas will be significant in the coming years.