A FAST-growing business which supplies state-of-the-art 3D printers is set for further expansion after receiving free business support from Boost Business Lancashire.

Chorley-based Ultimaker (GB) Ltd has sold 500 of its ‘affordable and accessible’ 3D printers in the UK and taken on two new staff since being set up just six months ago by directors Paul Croft and Alex Mayor.

The firm, which has already enjoyed success in the engineering, design and architecture sectors, recently launched a groundbreaking initiative to promote the advanced technology in UK schools.

The company’s rapid growth has already seen it receive specialist HR mentoring support from Community and Business Partners through Boost – the county’s £7.2million business growth hub.

Funding from Boost will help the company with further innovation and growth.

The business hopes to hit sales of 10,000 units in Great Britain over the next three years while creating up to 20 jobs.

Mr Croft said: “3D printing is having an enormous impact on design and manufacturing. There is huge interest in our product because it is making the technology more affordable and accessible to businesses and organisations of all sizes, not just major corporations, which has been the case in the past. We’re taking 3D printing to the masses.”

Ed Matthews-Gentle, from Creative Lancashire, who has been working with Ultimaker, said: “3D printing can potentially make complex parts more cheaply and could revitalise many manufacturing sectors. Ultimaker is a business with enormous growth potential and the support we are providing will allow it to go from strength to strength.”

Ultimaker’s CREATE Education Project is being rolled out during 2014 and will enable schools to provide students with the best current learning opportunities 3D printing has to offer.