Additive Manufacturing company 3D Metalforge has signed a Channel Partner Agreement with Fabriquent (trading as Intercast Australia) as part of its strategy to expand into the Australian market, where the company sees “increased opportunities for the adoption of additive manufacturing”.
Headquartered in Western Australia, Intercast is a foundry that produces bronze and aluminium components to the mining, excavating, quarrying, marine and general engineering industries.
Intercast has been supplying Australian and global companies for over 30 years, with tier one clients including BGC, Mineral Resources Limited, Water Corporation, Bradken, RCR Mining Technologies Pty (subsidiary of NRW Holdings).
Under the agreement, 3D Metalforge will provide to Intercast sales, marketing, and technical training, with Intercast to identify prospective customers and referral partners within its Australian network.
Matthew Waterhouse, 3D Metalforge Managing Director, noted that as a foundry, Intercast has the advantage of a quick turnaround and has the ability to make an extensive range of parts on demand, which wear less and last longer.
“Australia is a key market in our strategic expansion, and we are extremely pleased to collaborate with leading foundry Intercast as a channel partner and grow our full service additive manufacturing model in the country,” Mr Waterhouse said.
“Intercast has over 30 years’ experience with a strong sales network and market penetration, and together we are well positioned to offer customers a point of difference.”
According to him, the company is progressing preliminary discussions with other Australian based companies who in the COVID-19 landscape are looking more closely into additive manufacturing as a solution to bypass sustainability challenges as part of their longer-term sustainability goals.
“Over the last few months the interest in 3D printing has matured as a result of global supply chain challenges from the pandemic, with companies looking at alternative solutions to reach supply chain efficiencies, and additive manufacturing being one of them,” Mr Waterhouse said.
“This alongside the long term sustainability targets companies are adopting, with additive manufacturing being able to reduce material waste by up to 90% and reduce inventory and storage costs.
“Our discussions advance with a number of parties and we will continue to keep the market updated with future progress.”
