Another big boost to 3D printing services has just been announced, as nationally-backed Business Growth Fund (BGF) is investing £7 million to expand Hobs Reprographics
Liverpool-based Hobs began in Manchester in 1969, specializing in reprographics, and it grew a successful name for itself offering graphics-based design services. They offer construction and bid solutions, printing, document management, visual communications, marketing tools, and office supplies and stationery for all business needs. The company has only offered its 3D printing services for one year in the form of Hobs Studios, which function as kind of a one-stop shopping spot for designers, offering 3D printing, animation, virtual reality, and CGI services. It now wants to further expand its studio model –using BGF’s backing funds — nationally.
This partnership makes sense considering how expensive the establishment of 3D printing services can be. Hobs Founder and CEO Kieran O’Brien explains:
“Our first Hobs Studios have been highly valued by our customers and we now want to replicate this model across the country. Equipping the studios is capital intensive and so it made absolute sense for us to find a long-term equity partner that could help us achieve this.”
BGF also views the investment as a natural extension of their desire to partner with an expanding market that uses the latest technology; 3D printing is such a market and it appears that, based on Hobs’ experience offering 3D printing services this past year, there’s enough of a steady demand from engineers, architects, engineers, and product and construction designers to move forward. As part of the deal, BGF’s senior investment manager, Neil Inskip, joins Hobs’ team as a non-executive director; Inskip managed the investment agreement with David Colclough.
Inskip summarizes his enthusiasm for the partnership, citing Hobs’ firmly established relationships with its customers: “We are delighted to be supporting the business as it continues to retain and build a loyal customer base.”
It looks as if 3D printing in the UK is taking off with this recent announcement. We will see 3D printing services further expand as the UK government has clearly seen the wisdom in investing in a new technology in it ascendance. Let us know what you think about this latest major investment news in the BGF Backs Hobs forum thread over at 3DPB.com.