Roof panel expert
Samuel de Matos, 34, sub-project manager for roof-linings,
Semcon, Bad Friedrichshall

Samuel de Matos probably thinks about car roofs more
than ordinary people. Samuel’s job as sub-project manager
for roof linings in Bad Friedrichshall in Germany
is to ensure that roof linings are as safe as possible for
passengers.
“If a car crashes you invariably hit your head on the
roof-lining. My job is to make sure that the impact is as
kind as possible. Requirements state that for speeds of up
to 30 kmh passengers should be completely unharmed,”
says Samuel.
The primary solution is foam because it’s cheapest
and weighs least. Then come various mixes of artificial
materials and then thin sheets of metal. Each choice of
material is decided upon carefully and in these times of
crisis the focus has intensified on finding the cheapest
possible solution. Working with roof linings also involves
a great deal of precision work.
“The roof lining needs to conceal all electronics, and extra
equipment like cameras and motion detectors, as well
as protecting passengers. It’s a matter of millimetres.”
The challenge involved with roof-linings keeps Samuel
busy, combined with his MBA, which he’s taking in Vienna
with Semcon’s help.
“Many people don’t appreciate the complexity of working
with roof-linings. On the surface, every roof lining
looks similar, but if you’re in a crash you’ll be glad of our
ingenuity.”