Rapid Fusion sets sights on US market

A Devon-based tech company is targeting international growth through new partnerships.

Exeter’s Rapid Fusion has signed a reseller agreement with US additive manufacturing specialist Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies (PADT), marking its first expansion into the American market. 

The move will see Rapid Fusion’s robotic additive manufacturing systems promoted to customers in aerospace and defence, with further plans to target automotive, construction and medical sectors.

Bosses say the US deal could generate nearly £2 million in opportunities during its first year. 

They add that Rapid Fusion will leverage PADT’s 30-year expertise, manufacturing networks and technical knowledge to establish a foothold, initially focusing on existing clients in the western US. 

Jake Hand, managing director at Rapid Fusion, said: “We have had significant success disrupting the large format additive manufacturing (LAFM) arena in the UK and Europe and felt it was time to push into the United States – a sector that is the biggest in the world for our technology.

“We needed to find the right partner who not only understood our values and our products but also had immediate access to clients who would benefit from our solutions. 

“Initial conversations with PADT founder Rey Chu got us really excited, and we’re delighted to sign the deal that makes the company our first US reseller.

“Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies will have access to our full portfolio, including Apollo (a full turnkey 3D robotic printer), Zeus (a 3D printing robot that incorporates a unique CNC milling capability) and Medusa.

“The latter is a real LFAM gem and is three times faster than conventional machines, twice as accurate and promises to reduce training and maintenance costs by 30 per cent.”

Jake added: “The USA is the largest country globally for additive manufacturing and a strategic part of our expansion plans. 

“We conservatively forecast around £2 million of revenue in the first 12 months and then, over time, for it to grow to become our largest territory.”

PADT has also committed to hiring and training a dedicated Rapid Fusion sales specialist and plans to host several of the firm’s robots at its Arizona State University Research Park headquarters, in Tempe.

The companies will begin with needs discovery sessions, pilot projects and data-driven ROI analyses to inform full-scale commercial proposals for system purchases, training and ongoing support.

Rey Chu, a PADT Principal and 3D printing pioneer at Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies, added: “Rapid Fusion’s pellet extrusion and robotic arm-based 3D printing systems offer a complementary and disruptive alternative to our current additive manufacturing offerings, enabling new applications in aerospace, construction, motor vehicles and tooling.

“With a 100,000-strong marketplace on the West coast alone there is so much potential to disrupt the US marketplace, and we are looking forward to accelerating the UK firm’s presence here. 

“The key will be getting the first customers on board and then we have a fantastic test case to entice more companies to adopt the technology.”

Alongside international expansion, Rapid Fusion has launched an AI-powered ‘print assistant’ named Bob (Base of Build), designed to optimise performance, improve operator control and reduce downtime.

After eight months of development and live testing, Bob is being rolled out to existing clients and is expected to enhance efficiency across complex component production in multiple sectors.

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