An Interview with Claire: Leveraging 3D Printing to Scale Her Business

A 3D printer to diversify industrial operations

In this new episode, Claire showcases the 3D printing operations her company has developed with the support of the Atouts Numériques regional program. Integrating this new technology has enabled her to adopt a new production method while remaining consistent with her core general machining business.

« One and a half to two years ago, I became interested in 3D printing as a way to breathe new life into my company and differentiate myself from my competitors. I met with an advisor from the Atouts Numériques program and was able to attend a demonstration of 3D printing machines conducted by this advisor. To help me make the right choice for my business, the Atuls Numériques advisor accompanied me to meet various equipment resellers, helping me refine my decision and determine what would best align with my manufacturing processes and my customers’ needs. First of all, it is additive manufacturing, so we use less material. We aren’t removing material; we are adding it, so we only use exactly what is needed.

That is what the future holds! So, it is better to be ahead of the curve. Furthermore, traditional machining requires numerous passes; I might be exaggerating, but there are several stages involved, whereas 3D printing is done in a single step. Personally, this has also been a great asset to me—this new machine has truly inspired me to communicate! As a result, last year, I gained perhaps seven or eight new clients in general mechanics, but they came through 3D printing because we reached out to them using that technology. My revenue between 2014 and 2015 increased by 12%, half of which was driven by the 3D printing segment. Today, I am satisfied with what I have achieved. I was fortunate to attend this conference, but otherwise, we don’t always think to approach these people who are specifically monitoring these trends and possess extensive knowledge regarding digital technology and printing… I believe it is essential to communicate about this across various networks, because as entrepreneurs, we aren’t always aware that these services exist and are available to serve us.

Acquiring a 3D printer and diversifying her business operations has enabled the CEO to better meet client needs, differentiate herself from competitors, and increase revenue. If you want to follow Claire’s lead, many companies specialize in all types of printing, such as Coserm, Protolabs, or Visiativ Industry. A simple Google search can help you get started. Now, it’s your turn!