Xaar PLC Turns to 3D Printing, Appoints Keith Smith as Director of Advanced Manufacturing ​

Xaar PLC develops digital inkjet technology and manufactures piezoelectric, drop-on-demand industrial inkjet printheads, and their technology is used in manufacturing applications which include graphics, labels, direct-to-shape packaging decoration, and ceramic tiles. Their technology is also used to print with specialized functional fluids for advanced manufacturing processes.

Now Xaar has brought back one of their former executive team, Keith Smith, to head up their Advanced Manufacturing division as Director. Smith rejoins Xaar following a stint as sales manager for North and South America for Xaar from 2002-2005 and a position at touch sensor manufacturer Token ITO.

Located in the USA, Smith will take on responsibility for developing strategic manufacturing opportunities and partnerships outside of the company’s established markets. He’ll report directly to Xaar CEO Dr. Doug Edwards.

Smith says he believes Xaar can branch out into 3D production printing, touch sensor displays, ink-jet-printed semiconductors, and robotic coating applications.

“He brings the ideal combination of in-depth knowledge of key growth markets for Xaar technology and global sales experience in B2B technology in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and North and South America,” Edwards says of Smith. “As an ex-Xaar employee, it’s also good to welcome him back.”

The dynamic world of global manufacturing provides an exciting opportunity for Xaar. Most things we come into contact with on a daily basis are patterned, decorated, printed, or finished in some way; the packaging and labels in our supermarkets, the boxes containing everything we buy, the tiles and laminate flooring in our homes and offices, the televisions we watch, and the solar panels used to power our buildings.

Many production processes used in the manufacture of these products utilize traditional analog technology. However, Xaar’s industrial inkjet technology has already transformed a ​number of industries, and in other sectors the pace of conversion to digital is starting to accelerate.

Xaar says they invest fully 12% of their annual revenue in research and development activities and the company boast more than 250​ patents and patent applications in processes such as Shear Mode Technology, Shared Wall Technology, Chevron Technology, Hybrid Side Shooter architecture, and a revolutionary TF Technology. The company offers a range of industrial, digital inkjet printheads they sell directly to original equipment manufacturers worldwide.

Smith has more than 16 years experience in direct and channel sales management and selling B2B solutions to Fortune 500 companies.

“I’m excited and delighted to be returning to Xaar in this new position which recognizes the huge opportunities for our technology in advanced manufacturing applications,” he says.

Xaar based in Cambridge, UK, is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The company was established in 1990 as an outgrowth of an ink jet research project funded by AMI. They also developed the technology behind the Xerox Colorgrafx wide-format printer, and boast revenues of more than $210 million annually.

What do you think of this announcement that former Xaar manager Keith Smith will return to the company to serve as Director of Advanced Manufacturing? Let us know in the Xaar Management forum thread on 3DPB.com.