Innovative UK-based manufacturer Third Dimension sees 50% growth in sales

The company's innovative and flexible solutions, based around its industry-leading GapGun range, are at the root of its success, claims Third Dimension. This technology offers customers the opportunity to solve complex problems that would otherwise be extremely slow, inaccurate or even impossible to measure, it says. The GapGun product range is designed for shopfloor use and can be used handheld or as a fully automated robotic inspection tool. Applying innovative technology that combines a laser and a camera to create a triangulated co-ordinate system, the GapGun can measure not just gaps, but shapes and forms, such as flush, step, radii, weld profiles, mismatch, seals, scratches, and edge radius, to an accuracy of 10 micron. Chief business development officer John Kane believes that Third Dimension's success transcends technical excellence: "Whilst we strive to provide the most technically advanced product offering of its type in the market, what really differentiates us is the human touch. We are focused on delivering value to our customers, using a variety of technological innovation, understanding of customer's needs and focus on providing an efficient solution that provides a real step change in speed, performance, ergonomics and value of data." With continued growth both in Europe and the USA, Third Dimension expects to see continued significant growth, due in part to a number of major contracts with key customers, many of which are expanding into key markets such as China and India. In addition to this, increased presence in new markets, such as Brazil, will fuel growth even further. "We are confident that the solutions and services we offer are of real value to all manufacturers and advanced engineering companies across the world, and we will continue to increase our capacity to deliver on a global platform," comments CEO Peter Marchbank. On the back of this success, Third Dimension has been able to expand its apprenticeship scheme with City of Bristol College and, in the last 18 months, three young apprentices have been appointed. The team includes three electronics BTEC students; Suraj Singh, the first apprentice to be appointed in autumn 2011, followed by Aidan Hill and Daniel Cotton at the end of summer 2012. "With a number of engineers at Third Dimension who have come from apprenticeship backgrounds themselves, we recognise the potential for such young talent to grow and develop their skills and it's our responsibility to support them strongly in both their role at Third Dimension and college work," Tim Monks, CTO and founder, comments. 'It's my opinion that SMEs should be giving opportunities to young apprentices as part of our social responsibility and not only that, but, as a growing company, these kinds of schemes provide the ideal resources and competencies needed to develop our own company's needs," Mr Marchbank adds.