UNH Today

UNH and Australian company SPEE3D, a global innovator in metal 3D printing technology, inaugurated the company’s first U.S.-based manufacturing and applications site at the university’s John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, June 17. SPEE3D develops printers that can efficiently produce metal parts in locations where traditional supply chains are impacted, from battlefields to submarines.

"Establishing our first U.S.-based location at the Olson Center brings together a world-class manufacturing center at UNH with SPEE3D's leading cold spray additive manufacturing technology to a region known for its innovation and advancements," says Byron Kennedy, CEO at SPEE3D. "Although we are an Australian company, we have partners worldwide and a strong presence in America, so it made perfect sense to expand our footprint to address the needs of our partners.”

Partnering with UNH’s Olson Center as the site for SPEE3D’s new facility is a testament to the university's robust resources, state-of-the-art facilities and talented pool of researchers and students, Kennedy notes. The location situates SPEE3D in one of the U.S.'s most prominent tech corridors, offering unique opportunities for joint collaborative programs and projects that drive the adoption and innovation of additive manufacturing solutions.

"It’s the facilities, it’s the resources and it’s the skills. You put those three things together, and that’s why we ended up at UNH."

“It’s the facilities, it’s the resources and it’s the skills. You put those three things together, and that’s why we ended up at UNH,” Kennedy says. “When you’re moving countries, you don’t know who the people are, and you don’t know supply chains. Co-location enables you to really accelerate that.”

The event was not only a celebration of SPEE3D’s new phase of growth but also an affirmation of UNH's role as a catalyst in the technological and economic development of the region. The presence of SPEE3D at the Olson Center not only benefits the university by enhancing its educational and research capabilities but also bolsters the regional economy.

 “What do we hope to achieve? Jobs. We know we can get the workforce we’re looking for here,” says Kennedy, expressing eagerness in accessing UNH’s student talent. With internships playing a key role in graduate retention in the state, partnerships with companies like SPEE3D are vital to expanding and retaining New Hampshire’s talented workforce and creating job opportunities.

“UNH’s partnership with SPEE3D underscores the vital role that academic and industry collaboration can play in fostering innovation and cutting-edge research,” says Marian McCord, senior vice provost for research, economic engagement and outreach at UNH. “We are proud to be an integral part of the state’s innovation ecosystem by providing facilities, a skilled workforce and access to a robust business and research community.”

This partnership illustrates the growing demand for The Edge, a proposed innovation neighborhood at UNH aimed at fostering a vibrant community of technology and research. SPEE3D’s establishment is indicative of the growing list of companies considering UNH for co-location, highlighting the university's focus on an open and collaborative approach to business partnerships.

UNH is committed to partnerships like this in order to integrate real-world business applications with academic pursuits, benefiting students, researchers and the broader community.

For more information on corporate partnership opportunities, contact UNHInnovation.