The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 39: Oct/Nov 2018 | Page 19

IN PROFILE
COVER STORY
Gilo Cardozo
Gilo Industries Group
How did it all begin?
It all started at home in Motcombe village, just two
miles down the road from where we are now. I realised
the need for long range fuel tanks in paramotoring and
designed a 12-litre fuel tank – double the size of what
was currently in circulation. My invention was picked up
by a Japanese firm DK (Daiichi Kosho)- a multi-million-
dollar corporation and I began making fuel tanks for their
market-leading product the DK Whisper. Soon after I
began manufacturing for them the DK Whisper went out
of production and I seized the moment and brokered a
deal to bring the idea to the UK and create my own brand–
Parajet.
Since then Gilo Industries Group has diversified
into other areas of aviation and motorsport with our
associated companies including Parajet International and
Rotron Power. We manufacture engines for unmanned
aerial vehicles, helicopters, fixed wing light aircraft, race
bikes and vertical take-off craft. We also have a water
sports product – the Mako. It’s a jetboard, an awesome
motorised watercraft that combines elements of surfing,
wakeboarding and jet skiing into a singular package.
Who do you supply to?
Meet Giles Cardozo known to all as ‘Gilo’ the
founder of Gilo Industries Group. At just 39,
Gilo could be described as one of Wiltshire’s
most unsung businessmen, reaching new
heights (quite literally) with his ground-
breaking innovations.
In 2011 he was awarded an MBE for his
services to engineering and in 2007 alongside
explorer Bear Grylls, broke the world altitude
record by piloting Gilo’s invention the Parajet
paramotor/powered paraglider fitted with a
revolutionary engine 29,494ft over Everest.
Gilo built his first engine at just 14 years old
out of his make-shift workshop in Mere and
quit school to pursue his passion for all things
adventure.
Now 25 years on, his business exports on a
global scale and is set for further blue-sky
days with the launch of its latest invention –
the Xplorer flying car. We visited the home of
Gilo Industries to find out more about Gilo, his
business and their Fly to Work scheme.
We work with world leaders in aviation and defence
including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems and the
US Military.
2017 was a landmark year for us, securing a $30
million investment partnership with Kuang-Chi, a Chinese
disruptive technology group. The partnership is allowing
us to expand our production capabilities here in Wiltshire
and embrace exciting new manufacturing technologies to
aid growth and success in the global marketplace.
What are your top tips for exporting and
negotiating international deals?
Our latest product the Parajet Xplorer is to launch
this autumn. The Parajet Xplorer fuses automotive
engineering with proven aviation technology to create
a new kind of personal air vehicle. The Xplorer can be
transformed from all-terrain vehicle to lightweight
aircraft in a matter of minutes and uses the latest ram-air
parafoil wing technology, renowned for its safety, control
and stability in flight. Once airborne, the Xplorer has only
two flight controls - left and right steering via handheld
toggles and throttle pedal to climb or descend using the
integrated propeller. Should the engine fail, the Xplorer
can glide down using just the wing or in the event of an
emergency the Xplorer is fitted with a ballistic reserve
parachute.
Has the Parajet Xplorer received
any interest pre-launch?
Yes, we have received massive interest from across the
world from Africa to South America, North America and
UAE. Five Xplorer’s have been presold to Abu Dhabi ahead
of the official launch too.
What are you most proud of?
Technology-wise the engine tech. Our Rotron engines go
into world class helicopters such as Leonardo and that’s
so exciting, to have your product chosen by one of the
biggest companies in the world.
What are your plans for the future?
In the short term our expansion into new markets such
as the Middle East is keeping us busy. We are seeing
substantial growth there and are in the process of
launching a new showroom and training centre in Dubai.
In the next two years we’re looking to expand our
in-house manufacturing and design facility. We have our
eyes on a site just up the road and very much want to stay
local. The plan is to increase our staffing level which is
currently 85 to 300 in the next few years as we launch new
products and grow into new markets.
I’m most excited about launching some new aircraft
tech, a project that’s been a secret for the last ten years.
What’s your biggest challenge?
Finding talented, passionate employees who are like-
minded. I believe people are fundamental in our quest to
produce brilliant products. We’re always on the look-
out for talent and would be keen to hear from anyone
interested in working with us.
We are proud to be an apprenticeship employer and
currently work with South Wiltshire UTC and Salisbury
College, who found us three apprentices working as
trainee technicians. I’m still very much at the coal face
doing research and development. I love being hands on,
it’s all part of the fun and enjoy learning alongside my
team.
How do you motivate staff?
I like to think of the team as an extended family. We have
parties where we all get together and employees can
bring their partners and kids.
We’ve created some pretty c