A global leader in FRP composites inspection + engineering

UTComp’s mission is to improve the reliability, performance and safety of equipment made of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials.

We work with industry leaders around the world in chemical processing, oil and gas, pulp and paper, mining and many other industries.

Our engineers and inspectors are certified in accordance with SNT-TC-1A to provide NDT inspection and assessment services using the UltraAnalytix® NDT method — the only proven non-destructive, non-intrusive inspection system for fast, reliable, cost-effective inspection of FRP composite assets.

Our engineering services include material selection, design, fabrication, installation supervision and more. We also provide innovative repair services for your FRP equipment.

Celebrating 15 years of FRP reliability innovation

UTComp was founded in 2008 to improve the performance and safety of industrial equipment made of FRP composite materials. Learn more about our innovation journey and milestones:

Our Values

We value excellence, honesty and integrity within all professional interactions.  We are committed to providing engineering support and advice to customers, including owners, manufacturers and others, through the life cycle of FRP equipment, regulated safety systems and other engineering services. We work with customers to identify needs and address these projects within the appropriate regulations and design and reliability requirements. Learn more about our corporate values.

Accreditation

UTComp is licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario and Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador. We also hold a Certificate of Authorizations by Professional Engineers Ontario. 

UltraAnalytix NDT evaluations for FRP composites are performed by inspectors who are certified in accordance with SNT-TC-1A practice.

We are also an active member of many professional associations including the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Learn more about our professional accreditation and certifications

Our Team

Jo Anne Watton
Chief Executive Officer
Geoff Clarkson
Chief Technical Officer
Bob Ilmonen
Director of Operations
Tom Shewfelt
Director, Sales and Business Development
Rick Crawford
FRP Composite Specialist

Jo Anne oversees UTComp’s sales, customer service, marketing, human resources, finance and information systems. Since completing her post-graduate degree at Wilfrid Laurier University, Jo Anne has spent years gaining leadership skills and experience in the not-for-profit, for-profit, research and government sectors.

During her time working for a major charitable organization, Jo Anne formed and led the Canadian Coalition for Genetic Fairness. She was instrumental in the formulation of three bills being put before the House of Commons and the Province of Ontario. As a registered Federal Lobbyist, Jo Anne has been published in a number of journals and has spoken at many conferences. Her work has been quoted by The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and CBC.

Working closely with the CTO, Jo Anne now directs the internal team at UTComp to work in accordance with strategic objectives as developed by senior management and the Board of Directors.

Connect with Jo Anne on LinkedIn.

Geoff completed his engineering degree at the University of Waterloo, Canada in 1982, specializing in Systems Design Engineering.  Throughout his career he has worked in maintenance and project roles in  pulp and paper, mineral processing, water treatment, nuclear energy and chemical processing. In 1998, he established himself as an independent plant and project engineer for industrial clients and has worked throughout North America as well as Russia, Mexico, New Caledonia, and other locations.  Throughout his work, he found a consistent gap in support for end users of equipment made from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP).

Geoff developed the patented UltraAnalytix® NDT system, an innovative approach to non-destructive evaluation of FRP which gives end users reliable and valid information about their FRP assets.

His career has enabled the development of a high level of expertise in all aspects of the engineering, design, inspection and evaluation of FRP. Since 2006, Geoff has focused his attention on the development of non-destructive tools for evaluating FRP and providing useful reliability information to end users.

Geoff is an Associate Member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).

In 2019, he was awarded the Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards’ David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction in recognition of his pioneering work in developing a safe, non-destructive method for evaluating the reliability of composite materials.

Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn.

Bob is a proven leader with a 25-year record of success as a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur developing cutting-edge processes and innovative products across multiple sectors including advanced manufacturing, plastics and clean energy. He brings a unique combination of technical skills and business acumen to advance UTComp’s global mission to improve the safety and reliability of industrial assets and infrastructure made from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and other composite materials.

Connect with Bob on LinkedIn.

Tom is a seasoned sales professional and Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) with more than 30 years of experience driving business on a global scale. His career prior to UTComp includes more than a decade in business and sales management in the protective linings and corrosion industries. Tom is focused on advancing UTComp’s growth in industrial applications for UltraAnalytix NDT technology to ensure FRP composite reliability and safety worldwide.

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn.

Rick heads up UTComp operations in Sarnia and area as our FRP Composite Specialist. He has been involved in the FRP corrosion industry since the late 1970s, as an end user as well as a supplier of FRP products and services. Rick also serves on the RTP1 and Non-metallic Pressure Piping Standard committees of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Connect with Rick on LinkedIn.

Jo Anne Watton, Chief Executive Officer

Jo Anne oversees UTComp’s sales, customer service, marketing, human resources, finance and information systems. Since completing her post-graduate degree at Wilfrid Laurier University, Jo Anne has spent years gaining leadership skills and experience in the not-for-profit, for-profit, research and government sectors.

During her time working for a major charitable organization, Jo Anne formed and led the Canadian Coalition for Genetic Fairness. She was instrumental in the formulation of three bills being put before the House of Commons and the Province of Ontario. As a registered Federal Lobbyist, Jo Anne has been published in a number of journals and has spoken at many conferences. Her work has been quoted by The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and CBC.

Working closely with the CTO, Jo Anne now directs the internal team at UTComp to work in accordance with strategic objectives as developed by senior management and the Board of Directors.

Connect with Jo Anne on LinkedIn.

Geoff Clarkson, Chief Technical Officer

Geoff completed his engineering degree at the University of Waterloo, Canada in 1982, specializing in Systems Design Engineering.  Throughout his career he has worked in maintenance and project roles in  pulp and paper, mineral processing, water treatment, nuclear energy and chemical processing. In 1998, he established himself as an independent plant and project engineer for industrial clients and has worked throughout North America as well as Russia, Mexico, New Caledonia, and other locations.  Throughout his work, he found a consistent gap in support for end users of equipment made from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP).

Geoff developed the patented UltraAnalytix® NDT system, an innovative approach to non-destructive evaluation of FRP which gives end users reliable and valid information about their FRP assets.

His career has enabled the development of a high level of expertise in all aspects of the engineering, design, inspection and evaluation of FRP. Since 2006, Geoff has focused his attention on the development of non-destructive tools for evaluating FRP and providing useful reliability information to end users.

Geoff is an Associate Member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).

In 2019, he was awarded the Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards’ David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction in recognition of his pioneering work in developing a safe, non-destructive method for evaluating the reliability of composite materials.

Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn.

Bob Ilmonen, Director of Operations

Bob is a proven leader with a 25-year record of success as a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur developing cutting-edge processes and innovative products across multiple sectors including advanced manufacturing, plastics and clean energy. He brings a unique combination of technical skills and business acumen to advance UTComp’s global mission to improve the safety and reliability of industrial assets and infrastructure made from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and other composite materials.

Connect with Bob on LinkedIn.

Tom Shewfelt, Director, Sales and Business Development

Tom is a seasoned sales professional and Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) with more than 30 years of experience driving business on a global scale. His career prior to UTComp includes more than a decade in business and sales management in the protective linings and corrosion industries. Tom is focused on advancing UTComp’s growth in industrial applications for UltraAnalytix NDT technology to ensure FRP composite reliability and safety worldwide.

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn.

Rick Crawford, FRP Composite Specialist

Rick heads up UTComp operations in Sarnia and area as our FRP Composite Specialist. He has been involved in the FRP corrosion industry since the late 1970s, as an end user as well as a supplier of FRP products and services. Rick also serves on the RTP1 and Non-metallic Pressure Piping Standard committees of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Connect with Rick on LinkedIn.

Our Staff:

Robin Hagerman
Director of Administration

Chris Groves
Computer Programmer

Rob Groves
Computer Programmer

Mark Putt, P.Eng.
Engineering Team Lead

Karelle Guiao
Engineering Analyst

Rob Kohli
Engineering Analyst

Austin Lowes
Engineering Analyst

Shane Park
Engineering Analyst

UTComp Patents

UTComp holds U.S. patents for its UltraAnalytix® method of non-destructive, non-intrusive inspection of FRP and composite assets.

UTComp Inc. is dedicated to improving the performance and safety of equipment made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and other composite materials. The company’s intellectual property includes the following patents:

  • U.S. Patent 9,989,502, “System and Method for Analysis of Fibre Reinforced Composites,” June 5, 2018.
  • U.S. Patent 10,295,506 B2, “Ultrasound Transducer With Reduced Aperture Delay Line,” May 21, 2019.
  • U.S. Patent 10,527,591 B2, “System and Method for Analysis of Fibre Reinforced Composites,” January 7, 2020.
  • U.S. Patent 10,816,514, “System and Method for Analysis of Fibre Reinforced Composites, October 27, 2020.”

Two more patents are pending.

Questions about your FRP composite equipment?