Patrick Graas, 54, was born in Belgium. He is married and his two sons are 26 and 23. He graduated from the École Polytechnique de Louvain as a Mechanical Engineer. While already working for Valeo, he also got a complementary master of Commercial Engineering at HEC-Saint Louis in Brussels. After 6 years at Thomson and Saunier Duval, he rejoined Valeo.
Driving Vision News: What is your job today?
Patrick Graas: Since 1998, I have been honoured to be the R&D director of the Belgium division of Valeo Lighting Systems, which takes care of the promotion, the development and the production of the so-called “Special Products”, this on a worldwide basis (Europe, Asia, Americas).
DVN: Could you describe the “Special Products”?
P.G.: In our Belgian site, we develop all ranges of fog lamps, DRLs, headlamps for trucks, projector modules, interior lighting, CHMSLs, cigar lighters and power outlets and we produce all of them but the latter 4 product families.
DVN: About DRL, what are your strengths?
P.G.: As regards DRLs, we can provide our customers, as well car- and truck makers, with a wide range of solutions from the full-standard and most cost-effective to the full-customized and very stylish versions. We have halogen versions with low-power, high-duration bulbs, as well as LED versions with the full range of electronic drivers to fit to all kinds of cars and trucks electrical and mechanical architecture and styles. All kinds of optical principles can be proposed, including classical reflectors,