Addaptiv Design & Manufacturing Ltd.
Tell us what your business does?
We design and manufacturing products with Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technology. We specialise in industrial plastics and metals and do a range of products from one off custom parts to full New Product Development projects. We help our customers localise their supply chain by producing everything in Ireland. We focus on designing parts specially for Additive Manufacturing. This enables our customers to have simpler, lighter, stronger, cheaper components without the need to source them outside of Ireland.
Founders:
William Nolan
Number of Staff:
3
Start Date:
2020-06-08
Where did the idea for your business come from?
I worked in the Med Tech Industry for a number of years specialising in Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing). I then took a career break and started looking further afield at the whole industry and realised there was an opportunity to produce products in so many other industries that could simplify the whole manufacturing supply chain. At the heart of it I love to create and build, so the ability to do that with 3D Printing at an Industrial level is the perfect combination for me.
Have you always wanted to run your own business?
Yes, since I was in school
What planning did you do before you started up?
I spent about a year conducting research on the global market for Additive Manufacturing and increasing my knowledge of different Additive Manufacturing Technologies that could fit into our current business model. I also took part in the Ignite programme in UCC. This programme was crucial in developing the skills needed to build a business, outside of the technical aspect.
Which entrepreneurs do you admire?
Gary Vaynerchuck
What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
The first challenge was around learning the business side of things. Being a Manufacturing Engineer it was easy to focus on the technical aspect and get consumed with the capabilities of the technology. With the support of Ignite mentors I was given the tools and skill set to be able to find a commercially viable solution. The biggest challenge to date has been how we adopted to change with the first lockdown in March 2020. At first this seemed like a showstopper but we were able to transition to a fully online service. We did this by consulting with our customers digitally and the fact that we can product parts locally meant we did not have to rely on a global supply chain. This has really shown the value of our service to our customers. We were able to produce products at a time when supply was heavily disrupted for so many.
How have you promoted your business?
We are active on all of our social media platforms as well as our website. We have also benefited from the promotional support from Ignite through their channels.
Where do you see the business in 3 years’ time?
We are focused on being the leading provider of Additive Manufacturing here in Ireland and enabling industries like: Med Tech, Pharma, Automotive, Consumer Products etc. to reap the benefits of this technology without the need for them to invest time, money or resources climbing the steep learning curve. There is a huge knowledge gap with so many companies and engineers when it comes to Additive Manufacturing. We are aiming to bridge that gap through our services.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
First step it so act on an idea if you really are passionate about it, thinking or talking about doing it is one thing, but actually starting is the most satisfying step you’ll ever make. Be sure of what you want to do so that your motivation is right to take on a new venture. It is not easy but one thing I was blown away with was the amount of support that’s available out there. The willingness of people to help when you talk to them is incredible, so use the old analogy ‘You have two ears and one mouth’. Take in as much advice as you can get but don’t forget you are the one who ultimately knows your business the best.
