When discussing emerging technologies and markets, 3D Printing is often a topic of hot debate and interest across a wide variety of industries and professions; as the machines continue to appear in design studios, factories and manufacturing facilities across the globe, 3D Printers are becoming an essential piece of equipment for many businesses. With the global market revenue forecasted to increase from $15.8 billion in 2020 to $35.6 billion by 2024 (The Wohlers Report) the market is quickly becoming saturated with manufacturers and distributors. 3DGBIRE are different, they stand out from the masses providing more than just 3D Printing technology they provide a complete 360-degree service which includes training, support and service, the ideal solution for businesses without the necessary in-house expertise or time to integrate additive manufacturing organically.
“Results from day one, super easy to use, within a couple of hours we had the 3D Printer up and running and they just don’t break down. So we’ve invested, again and again, now we have what we call the ‘print farm’.” – Simonstone Engineering
Insights Success spoke to 3DGBIRE Operations Manager Peter Cropper to discuss how 3DGBIRE have become one of the UK leading 3D Printing distributors:
What led to the inception of the company?
3DGBIRE began as the technical support, service and warranty provider for Ultimaker in the UK, after developing a reputation for our customer-centric approach and high quality of service, we garnered the interest of some of the world’s leading original equipment and materials manufacturers. The resulted in us building a wide ranging, ever growing product portfolio with only the best and most reliable and innovative brands to meet the changing needs of our dynamic and eclectic customer base.
Describe your company and its cutting-edge Additive Manufacturing services which address all the needs of your customers.
We specialize in assisting industrial customers to adopt additive manufacturing. Using a consultative process, we identify the most appropriate applications, technologies, and materials for our customer’s needs. We demonstrate substantial returns on investment based on significant cost and time savings.
Beyond the initial service 3DGBIRE provides ongoing support for all of our customers with a technical help desk service and access to professional training in all aspects of 3D printing. We also provide the UK & Ireland technical service and repair center for the original equipment manufacturers of the brands we represent.
Could you throw some light on the company’s mission and vision statement?
Mission – To help industry adopt additive manufacturing.
Vision- To be recognized as the leading UK & Ireland provider of additive manufacturing solutions for industry.
UK & Ireland Leader – The leading additive manufacturing solutions provider in the UK & Ireland, delivering the highest quality equipment, support, and services in the field of 3D printing
Additive Manufacturing Solutions – We take time to get close to our customers to ensure that we understand their needs – our skill is in providing solutions to their needs which deliver significant business benefits for them.
Give a detailed description of the featured person’s influence over the company and the industry.
Through our consultative approach, we help customers taking up additive manufacturing to do so in the most efficient and cost-effective way, using the most appropriate technologies and materials. This leads to faster adoption of AM within the various industry sectors and a more comprehensive knowledge transfer for the customers we work with.
We also work closely with original equipment and materials manufacturers to ensure that they understand the needs of our customers and their direct feedback. The insights we provide are used by equipment manufacturers for the development of both existing and new 3D printing technologies. Our technicians carry out extensive testing of machines, materials, and techniques, directly assisting in their development. We act as a connector within the industry, helping to spread current best practices and to refine new ones.
What are the greatest challenges the Additive Manufacturing industry facing and how are they best dealt with?
Access to education and training for young people in additive manufacturing so they can enter this rapidly growing industry with the right skill sets. Education courses needed to keep up with the speed of change and the development of additive manufacturing.
Access to apprenticeships. Appropriate curriculum inclusion and development for 3D printing from primary to University level. Assistance to be sought from educators and forthcoming from the industry. Government assistance in pushing this agenda.
According to you, which upcoming/current technology is going to be a disruptive force for the industry (Additive Manufacturing industry) in the near future?
Cost-effective metal 3D printing at a price point which allows wider spread and faster adoption by industry users. The integration of additive with CNC and other manufacturing technologies
smarter materials optimization and selection linked with generative design solutions. Our work with Meltio will be instrumental in the implementation of this technology for our customers throughout 2020 and beyond.
“The guys at 3DGBIRE are great, any questions we’ve got, ring them up to print settings, little tweaks or tricks, they are really good to work with.” – Team Dynamics Motorsport
What technologies are you leveraging to make your services more resourceful?
- Meltio – Cost-effective metal printing.
- Additive Flow – Smarter materials optimization and selection linked with generative design solutions.
Who are your potential customers? And what marketing activities do you implement to reach out to your potential customers?
Customers – Key Industries
Although we operate within a wide range of industries our customer base generally be defined by these specific industries:
- Engineering
- Product Design
- Art
- Architecture
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Dental / Medical
- Food and Packaging
Marketing
- We take stands at the major industry trade shows.
- Hold customer events to showcase technologies.
- Social media strategies and targeted advertising.
- We make and distribute case study videos of customers and their success stories.
- We associate with a number of alliances and industry networks.
- We collaborate with our network of suppliers creating and distributing marketing material.
- We run daily email campaigns to our list of subscribers.
