Wayland Additive, based in the United Kingdom, has announced the conclusion of a £4.6 million funding round, with participation from existing investors Longwall Ventures, Parkwalk Advisors, and ACF Investors. Strategic investor Metrea Discovery joins the round as a new investor in the business. Wayland, situated in West Yorkshire, is an innovator in electron beam 3D printing, creating equipment that is they say is faster and more precise than laser-based AM technologies.
Wayland produces and sells the Calibur3 metal additive manufacturing system, an Electron Beam based system. Described by Wayland as “a 3rd way for industrial metal PBF”, their Electron Beam system uses the company’s Neubeam process. Notable clients include the RAF (UK) and Exergy Solutions (Canada), with new shipments starting in May to North America, Europe, and other regions. customers requiring intricate, high-precision components made from advanced metal alloys, catering to sectors such as aerospace, mining, and medical.
Wayland’s additive manufacturing systems can 3D print what the company describes as “highly specialized super materials,” specifically “the world’s hardest steel or tungsten.”
The funding will augment Wayland’s in-house production capacity to supply more machines and materials to clients. The company is transitioning towards a “buy off-the-shelf” model by focusing on mitigating supply chain issues, which should shorten order-to-delivery time to just a few months. The investment will also contribute to hiring, particularly a COO, and further research and development.
Will Richardson, CEO of Wayland Additive, expressed his enthusiasm for the future of the company after their latest funding round. Wayland previously raised £3 million from a funding round announced in 2019. Richardson noted that their electron beam 3D printing machines have gained considerable traction in the global market. By offering custom additive manufacturing solutions, Wayland Additive aims to streamline operations for clients and provide them with the tools to realize their full potential through high-value components. Richardson expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from existing investors, as well as the new strategic investment from Metrea. He emphasized that the additional funding will accelerate their mission to deliver cutting-edge 3D printing technology to businesses worldwide.
ACF Investors Managing Partner Tim Mills praised Wayland Additive for their continued growth and position as a leader in Yorkshire’s business community. He lauded the company’s pioneering work in next-generation additive manufacturing, which has unlocked new applications and materials. Mills confirmed ACF Investors’ commitment to supporting the Wayland Additive on the next phase of their growth journey. Longwall Ventures Partner David Denny also expressed delight in continuing to support Wayland Additive. He commended the team for their innovation and hard work, which led to the development of a groundbreaking product. Denny highlighted that Wayland’s technology allows customers to 3D print objects using materials previously thought impossible and celebrated its increasing adoption by clients. Additionally, Denny appreciated the collaborative relationship with ACF Investors.
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