Scottish Enterprise grant aids Angus 3D’s 3-year growth plan

A £39,000 Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant from Scottish Enterprise will help to realise the three-year growth plan being rolled out by Brechin-based 3D-printing specialist Angus 3D Solutions.

Following on from its growth last year, partly thanks to a grant from Zero Waste Scotland in 2018 to buy the Markforged Metal-X, the firm headed by global oil and gas manufacturing veteran Andy Simpson has now put in place a three-year growth plan.

This will see Andy and employee John MacLeod joined by a second employee to increase work supporting the circular economy in North-East Scotland by enabling rapid prototyping and the remanufacture of parts to keep machines in use.

Angus 3D will also add bespoke carbon fibre manufacture and a vacuum-forming service to its list of capabilities, in addition to greater 3D printing capacity.

Angus 3D’s premises at Brechin Business Centre will be growing to cope with all the new kit and services too. A third unit is being taken on by the firm with the help of Angus Council’s Business Angus team and neighbour TecNiche, which agreed to move so Angus 3D can simply add the unit next door to its existing pair.

Speaking about starting work on executing the new growth plan, Andy Simpson said: “I’ve been talking about the huge opportunity the circular economy offers the manufacturing and oil and gas sectors for years now. Its ability to save on costs as well as time and materials is huge but still in the early stages of being exploited here, so it’s great to have backing from Scottish Enterprise and Angus Council to pursue realising that opportunity.”

Jane Martin, managing director of Business Services and Advice at Scottish Enterprise, commented: “Angus 3D Solutions is a great example of how entrepreneurial talent, skills and ideas can create a growing business and new jobs. With our support, Andy will be able to expand his operations and take full advantage of circular economy opportunities in the North East of Scotland.”

Alison Smith, head of Angus Council’s business team stated, “Angus has the highest percentage of people employed in manufacturing in Tay Cities Region and it is a key growth sector for the future with a shift to advanced/high value and sustainable manufacturing and engineering. We are delighted to be able to support Andy’s plans to expand his business and will continue to support the growth of this innovative business in Angus.”

For more information about Angus 3D Solutions, go to its website at https://www.angus3dsolutions.co.uk