LPW receive Queens Award
LPW receive Queens Award for Enterprise
LPW Technology has announced plans for a 3D printing centre of excellence in Halton creating 120 jobs by 2018.
The Runcorn-based company, which produces metal powders for 3D printing, was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise earlier this month. Accepting the award from David Briggs MBE, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Cheshire, CEO Dr Phil Carroll is aiming to build on their success and take advantage of the rapidly growing 3D printing industry.
An investment of over £20m, providing the new 3D printing centre of excellence, is the largest single investment in metal Additive Manufacturing in the UK to date.
Dr Carroll, upon receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, said he was thrilled to see his company recognised.
He continued: “We have been first to market in this developing industry. With our ambitious growth plans and the support of our amazing staff we now aim to be a truly engineering company. We will need the support of all the people in the Merseyside area to make this a success. Without a skilled workforce we would be nothing.
“Our new facility will ensure the North West is at the forefront of materials for this new and exciting industry by exporting our products worldwide.”
Halton Borough Council have also welcomed the new 3D printing centre of excellence plans, saying it is fantastic for the area.
Cllr Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “Manufacturing growth is key to the region’s economic success and LPW is investing expertise in developing technologies to bring more business to the North West and create tremendous job opportunities in the growing and exciting field of 3D printing technology.”
LPW has emphasised its intention to ensure the local area benefits from its growth. They will continue to work closely with Riverside College to create apprenticeships for their students. The company is currently training six apprentices and will look to employ more as their expansion continues.
Jayne Smith, Head of Skills and Enterprise at Riverside College said: “We are proud to have supported LPW with the development of their apprenticeship programmes and collaborating with LPW to innovate our curriculum content in order to reflect high level skills needs in additive manufacturing.
“One of the apprentices was recently shortlisted for Halton Apprentice of the Year and all of our students who secured places on LPW’s apprenticeship programme have gained confidence and experience.”
Founded in 2007 by Dr Carroll, LPW has expanded to become a global market leader with 70 highly skilled staff working from its head office in Runcorn, a separate Research and Development Facility in STFC Daresbury labs, two more bases in Pittsburgh, USA and in Germany, and a network of resellers around the world.
The company has added knowledge and reliability to the 3D printing industry through the development and supply of metal powders and controls for Additive Manufacturing.
Additionally, LPW’s PowderLife products include powder handling and testing equipment, quality control software for industrial 3D printers and application know-how to help customers develop new applications.
