Leading 3D printer OEM Stratasys has opened two new sites in Cambridge and Derby, and extended its staff within the UK, in order to bolster its infrastructure. The moves are part of an increased commitment to the UK 3D printing market from Stratasys, as it aims to drive adoption and support the needs of a growing pool of customers.
According to Andy Langfeld, Stratasys President of EMEA, the various initiatives established for this region is a response to an independent report that lists the UK as one of the top five countries globally in adopting additive manufacturing. Langfield adds,
“We are therefore committed to ensuring the appropriate support infrastructure is in place to meet the varied requirements of our UK-based channel partners and customers, and properly equip them to ensure they fully optimize the use of this technology.”
Helping the adoption of 3D printing in the UK
At the new Cambridge and Derby sites, Stratasys will place technical and business consultants alongside developers from GrabCAD, its Massachusetts-based software subsidiary. Both the sites will also act as a hub for the company’s field-based staff, including application engineers and service support.
The Stratasys site at Derby is set up to specifically aid the adoption of additive manufacturing among UK businesses, and will also house Stratasys’ Strategic Consultants. Furthermore, Stratasys has increased the numbers of its UK team overall with the hiring of additional application engineers and software developers.
Beyond the additional facilities and staff, the company has also opened different Authorized Training Centres across the UK as part of its Academy initiative. The training academies are a response to the increasing need for additive manufacturing professionals within the UK, and are designed to help business overcome the engineering skills gap.
UK-based platinum partner Tri-Tech 3D, based in Stoke, is the home of one Stratasys Authorized Training Centre. And, in January 2019, Oxford-based value added reseller Laser Lines opened another. At the time of this announcement Richard Hoy, SLM Product Specialist at Laser Lines, said, “We want to ensure that our customers get what they need from our training so before booking, our Stratasys academy certified trainers can discuss exact requirements and advise both content and a suitable duration for the training course so that it meets their needs entirely.”
A U.S.-UK connection
Recently, Stratasys has also developed relationships with different UK customers from various industries. In December 2018, the company partnered with British rolling stock operator company Angel Trains and Derby-based engineering consultant ESG Rail, to 3D print replacement parts for trains.
Additionally, UK-based package supplier Quadpack sourced a Stratasys J750 3D printer in order to reduce lead times and increase the efficiency of its custom packaging solutions.
A Stratasys F900mc 3D printer has also been acquired by UK-based prototype and tooling manufacturer Dash-CAE to ramp up its services to the automotive, motorsport and aerospace industries.
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Featured image shows Stratasys demonstrating 3D printing applications for McClaren at TCT 2017. Photo by Michael Petch for 3D Printing Industry
