THE DEPUTY Prime Minister has announced a new investment in 3D printing by a Wotton-under-Edge-based firm.

Global engineering company Renishaw has decided to create its first Indian additive manufacturing (metal 3D printing) technical centre in Pune, which was revealed by Nick Clegg on the final day of a trade delegation he led to India.

Forming part of Renishaw’s continuing investment in additive manufacturing technologies, the new technical centre in Pune also maintains the company’s long term commitment to the Indian market.

It will sit alongside Renishaw’s existing key strategic technical centre locations in the UK, USA, Canada, Germany and China, with additional centres also planned for other key markets.

Additive manufacturing, often referred to as metal 3D printing, is widely recognised as a potentially transformational manufacturing technology that will impact on everything from components in aircraft engines and satellites, to dental restorations and surgery for facial reconstruction.

Renishaw’s Pune facility, which will house the new technical centre, already forms an important role in the company’s overall manufacturing and procurement strategy.

It also houses a large group of the company’s software engineers, many of whom are directly contributing to the additive manufacturing product line.

To mark the announcement, Renishaw director responsible for Indian Sales and Marketing operations, Rhydian Pountney, presented Mr Clegg with a 3D printed titanium scale replica of the company’s 19th century headquarters building in Gloucestershire.

“We are delighted that the Deputy Prime Minister was able to make this announcement during this important trade mission,” said Mr Pountney.

“Our new Indian AM technical centre will be equipped with the latest products and will be staffed by our knowledgeable local team who are well versed in service, applications and process engineering

“The thrust of the additive manufacturing technical centres is to create a platform on which to work in close partnership with our customers to help them realise the benefits of AM in their products and manufacturing processes.”

Renishaw, which is the UK’s only supplier of metal additive manufacturing machines, also sees the new Indian technical centre as a cornerstone in its ambition to be a major contributor to the adoption of AM in the established and fast growing high technology Indian manufacturing sector.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This major trade mission marks a turning point in the relationship between India and the UK, and I am delighted Rhydian Pountney of Renishaw was able to join me as part of the trade delegation.

“Our links with India are among the strongest we have with any country and the openness to trade and investment promised by Prime Minister Modi drives us closer still to the new special relationship we have been aiming for since 2010.

“Strong British companies like Renishaw will be vital to these efforts to create a stronger economy with a new special relationship with India.”

Renishaw has been trading in India since 1983 and after establishing a representative office in Bangalore in 1993, converted this to a wholly owned trading subsidiary in 2000.