The late Dr. Jim Trainer designed, engineered and carried out many projects, including the Brake Effectiveness Evaluation Procedure, known as BEEP. While laboring through the tedious processes, he engaged a set of dynamometer hardware for testing a particular part number to arrive at a directional conclusion. Jim utilized a “Round Robin” testing starting at Link Testing Lab and circulating the hardware, and brake pads made from the same batch, to several reliable friction material companies to repeat the same test. As results started to come in for evaluation and comparison, we collectively held our breath tight hoping for consistency. But Jim was not completely on board with the results until, as he kept forgetting the name and instead saying, the French fellow! That’s where one of us filled in the blank: Eric Denys
Eric Denys was born and raised in France, the oldest of a family of 3 siblings. His father worked for a residential painting company while his mother was busy looking after the family’s 3 children. He grew up in a family where education was highly valued.
After completing his elementary, middle and high school in Dunkerque, he enrolled in a 2 year intensive Maths/Physics undergraduate program (Classes Préparatoires) and then was admitted into the Technological University of Compiegne (UTC) where, in 1991, he received a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, with specialization in Acoustics and Vibration.
After graduation, he interviewed for different positions in various parts of France and accepted an offer from a company called Ferodo, located in Noyon. Ferodo, still a very famous brake pads brand today and part of the Tenneco organization, was at that time owned by a company called T&N Group. Eric started in 1993 as an NVH Engineer, working on Brake NVH issues for all the French Renault and PSA vehicle programs. In 1996, he received a job offer to transfer to the new technical center Ferodo was opening in Livonia, Michigan. He and his wife decided to make the move to the US with their 3 month old son, thinking that they would be back in France after 3 years!!!
In the US, Eric started as an NVH/Test Engineer, leading the charge on various NA OEM programs. In 2002, he decided to move to Material Sciences Corporation (MSC) which was one of Ferodo’s key NA shim suppliers, to become their NVH Manager. A few years later, he was promoted to a Global Director role and then decided to apply for an MBA at the University Of Michigan Ross Business School. He was successfully admitted to the program, and after years of hard work received his MBA in 2010. Go Blue!!! Six months later, he was promoted to VP of Sales/Engineering of the MSC Brake Division. In 2014, MSC sold the entire company to a Private Equity Group (New Star Metal), who then decided a few months later to sell the Brake Business to Wolverine Advanced Materials (WAM). After various VP positions (Integration, Sales, Purchasing and Supply Chain) inside the WAM organization, Eric moved to Meneta in 2019, currently running the North American division, including, Sales, Application Engineering, Operations.
His main professional drive is to help and support customers and establish very solid relationships with them. He is a solution-oriented leader, a technical guy (a “nerd” as his wife would call him), with the goal to bring solutions to customer problems, and ultimately grow the Meneta business. He believes that everything starts with the customers. He thrives in small organizations, where things get done as a team, quickly, correctly, without much of the politics he hates so much. He also believes in continuous improvement and is always challenging the Meneta organization to get better.
He always tries to help others in the industry whenever he can. He also enjoys learning and sharing his 30+ years of Brake NVH experience with the younger generation. He is the chair of the SAE Brake NVH Standards Committee (for the last 11 years), has written various papers on brake noise and for many years was teaching 2 SAE classes on Brake NVH.
Throughout his career, he has worked with a few influential people at Ferodo, MSC, WAM (Greg Vyletel, Cliff Nastas, George Caplea, Grant Beard to name a few) and feels fortunate to have met and worked with some very talented individuals, colleagues, customers, suppliers.
He spends quality time in the evening and weekends with his wife, dog and 2 sons who live in the Ann-Arbor area. He really enjoys cooking, wine tasting, hiking, traveling and above all golfing with friends, family, and customers. He is a member at the Radrick Farms Golf Course in Ann-Arbor Michigan,the first 18-hole golf course designed in 1965 by the famous architect Pete Dye.
He also enjoys reading books on various topics, including Economics, Science, Investing, History, and Golf
I did not know Eric Denys but trusted Jim Trainer’s judgement. Years later I got to meet Eric and ended up teaching at SAE nearly next door to him, year-after-year. Before our classes started, during the breaks we had time to talk shop and connect socially. Spending time with him up close made me realize why Dr. Jim Trainer waited until he had Eric’s results. The world of dynamometer testing, and by extension NVH, is like an alphabet to Eric Denys.
Editor's note: We are seeking to highlight the professional journeys of individuals who have made significant contributions to Brake Technology or Business. Referrals are encouraged.
Comments