About Us
Traditional Manufacturer’s Representative firms in the industrial market focus on selling commodities either directly or through distributors. Manufacturers of higher value capital equipment typically hire direct sales representatives absorbing the high cost of salary and benefits until the sales representative can increase sales enough to support their fixed cost and then increase sales even more to produce a profit for the company. It is an ROI model that is difficult to justify in today’s business climate and many small to medium size capital equipment manufacturer’s do without a professional sales and marketing person. Often, it is the owner of the firm that performs those activities to the detriment of other more important strategic business activities.
Composite Automation, LLC provides the sales and marketing activities to companies that are in the composites market with high value solutions in the North American composites market that is comprised of aerospace, defense, automotive, wind, etc. When I launched Composite Automation, LLC. I carefully selected partners and associates based on their ability to deliver unique and innovative solutions to composites manufacturing applications. Finally, we all share a passion for outstanding customer service with the intent of developing long standing relationships.
John Melilli
President - President/CEO Eastern US
Over 30 years of experience in the application of mechanical, electrical and industrial automation components and systems for manufacturing. My career has brought me through the full gamut of manufacturing incuding food, pharma, discreet, process, batch, etc. The composites industry has many of the same challenges. All manufacturing shares the same goal which is to increase throughput, reduce waste, maximize quality while keeping a sharp eye on cost.
I have been working with composite part manufacturer’s since 2004 being mindful of these goals and know that to be successful, I must help customers achieve them as well. My technical experience includes not just an understanding of the systems that Composite Automation represents but more importantly the common composites manufacturing issues prevalent in the industry.
My hobbies include adoring my grandchildren, golf, fishing, skiing, and zydeco dancing with my lovely wife.
Check my calendar and request a meeting.
John Porter
Director - Business Development - Western US
John lives just outside Salt Lake City where he has been involved in advanced composites and honeycomb for aerospace, automotive and industrial markets for over 30 years. In his experience he has successfully worked with companies to develop products and processes that achieve performance and manufacturing goals. After starting his career as a stress engineer, he moved to positions doing Applications Engineering, Product Management and Marketing. He covers the upper central and Northwest US and of course the composites rich area in Utah.
When not completing his honey dos, you’ll find John on a golf course or in the mountains: skiing, biking or hiking.
Gaylon Gregory
Sales Engineer - Southeast USA
Gaylon has over 35 years of experience in manufacturing and applying unique solutions for his customers. He has a thorough understanding of CNC machines, composites manufacturing methods, and other manufacturing systems. He started his career as a machinist which gives him a factory floor understanding of being “in the trenches”. He has also been a business owner and built boats. He has been involved in projects that spanned the automotive, space, aerospace, marine, heavy industry and and industrial automation. He’ll be covering much of the Southeast US from his location in Atlanta, GA. Please reach out to him with your applications.
Christian Lopez Monjaras
Director of Sales - Canada
Located in the heart of the composites manufacturing corridor of Queretaro, Christian is an experienced Aeronautic Engineer with more than 15 years of experience on composites. He has worked on well known projects such as the Learjet 85, LEAP 1B Fanblade and developing the process and the startup of operations of multiple companies in composites manfacturing for over 20 years. His extensive experience in composites manufacturing will be invaluable in refining your manufacturing challenges and improving your ROI.