The team at Superformance are doing something revolutionary for the automotive industry in Australia. Grant Malseed, and his son Todd, have developed an independent front suspension (IFS) product that is unique, high quality and customisable.

With an increasing demand from customers for retrofitted superior front end solutions, Grant and Todd designed a totally new product, engineered and manufactured in their workshop in Capalaba, Queensland.

Grant and Todd wanted the IFS product to significantly improve breaking, steering and handling and operate in a superior manner to OEM products.

Driven by pushing the boundaries of innovation, the father and son decided to apply for a grant that would fund the development of the IFS product.

The grant for $50,000 would be allocated towards ‘research and development for new automotive products’. Research and development funding had previously been successful for innovations in the agricultural and mining sectors, so the Malseeds were thrilled to learn of their success and commenced extensive industry consultation in the USA and Australia.

The grant process required a significant investment in product development and testing. The first customised IFS build was for a 1976 Holden LX Torana. The product needed to meet Australian safety standards and underwent intense performance testing.

“The application required a notable investment in time, as we needed to establish the product was high quality, safe, marketable, scalable and exportable,” said Grant. “We saw a massive appetite for IFS products in the USA and from automotive businesses and consumers in Australia.”

Todd brought his tertiary industrial design skills into play during the IFS product development, using specialised software to model 3D profiles as well as analysing data on load specifications. The software combined various parts using a simulator in a 3D environment coupled with data provided by engineers from the USA. Four prototypes were built, compromising of a basic bolt-in IFS as well as a more sophisticated weld-in product.

The funding enabled the purchase of specialised tools and equipment as well as the fit-out of two bespoke rooms to safely build the IFS products.

“The IFS products have also been intensely scrutinised by safety engineers to ensure we have manufactured to the highest safety standards in Australia and the USA, with adherence to tight quality control,” said Todd.

“At this stage we have manufactured IFS products for about 10 models and have completed about 20 builds in total. We are unable to scale up at this time due to a limitation on suitably qualified technicians.”

“We are really proud to be leading in the innovation space for the automotive industry,” added Grant. “We have limited competition as it is such a niche market, and our product quality is unrivalled. We are hopeful for future funding to expand this manufacturing opportunity for Australia’s economy and to support new jobs.”

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (May 2021)

10 May 2021