K3Metrology measures up with £2.75 million backing

A precision engineering company has secured multi-million-pound backing to commercialise precision measurement systems designed to improve efficiency in advanced industrial production.

K3Metrology, a spin-out from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has raised £2.75 million in seed funding to accelerate the rollout of its large-scale measurement technology for sectors including aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

The investment round was led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), managed by Future Planet Capital, alongside backing from the Development Bank of Wales and Parkwalk Advisors.

K3Metrology’s technology enables manufacturers to measure multiple points simultaneously and continuously during assembly, helping engineers detect alignment issues in real time rather than later in the production process.

The system could reduce costly production delays, minimise rework and support more automated manufacturing environments by removing the need for repeated stop-start inspections.

As part of the investment, K3Metrology has relocated from the National Physical Laboratory to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Broughton, North Wales, giving the business closer access to industrial expertise and manufacturing partners.

Bosses say the funding will support recruitment, industrial trials and early-stage commercial deployment as the business looks to scale its technology across UK and international markets.

Mike Campbell, chief executive at K3Metrology, said: “We are excited to secure this investment and to have the support of investors who understand both the technical challenge and the industrial opportunity. 

“This funding gives us the platform to scale a technology born from the National Physical Laboratory and apply it directly to some of the most demanding manufacturing environments.

“This investment enables us to move faster, work more closely with industry and deliver a step-change in how large, complex structures are measured and built.” 

Penny Holt, chief financial officer at the NPL, added: “K3 Metrology Ltd demonstrates how publicly funded science can translate into high value industrial capability for the UK. 

“This technology is transformative with the ability to raise industrial productivity, strengthen UK manufacturing competitiveness, and set new international standards in large volume measurement. 

“This seed investment marks an important step in translating 15 years of NPL research into real world impact, and we’re proud to support the K3M team as they take this capability to market." 

Investors say the deal reflects growing demand for smarter manufacturing systems capable of improving productivity, reducing waste and supporting the transition towards digitally enabled industrial production.

Sakura Holloway, investment lead, knowledge assets at the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), managed by Future Planet Capital, added: “K3Metrology is a strong example of what becomes possible when you identify the right opportunity within the UK’s public knowledge base and invest the time to help shape it into a credible, investable business. 

“We identified this technology at the National Physical Laboratory and worked closely with the team over time to develop it to the point of investment readiness - that work is central to what UKI2S does in the Knowledge Assets space, and it is not something every investor is set up to do.

“We are backing K3Metrology with our largest Knowledge Assets cheque to date because we have high conviction in the founders, the technology and the solution it offers to the relevant high-value sectors. 

“This is exactly the kind of company the UKI2S Knowledge Assets portfolio was created to support.

“With early investment and long-term support, these technologies can be adopted on the factory floor, strengthening advanced manufacturing capability and delivering lasting global economic impact.”

Dr Alison Campbell, chief executive of the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT), added: “Spinouts such as K3 Metrology show how investment in public sector research can be turned into products and services with real commercial value. 

“This kind of innovation demonstrates how targeted investment and support for Knowledge Asset commercialisation leads to UK growth, strengthening industrial capability and delivering economic and societal benefit.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.