In The News

Dayton manufacturer will open 3D printing operation in West Chester

November 25, 2014  |  DRT Medical
DRT Medical

Dayton Business Journal

A Dayton-based medical manufacturer will be locate its 3-D printing operation at a planned new $4.6 million research and development facility in West Chester.

We've learned the new facility, unveiled last month, also will be home to DRT Medical's 3-D printers, which will be marketed to the medical and aerospace industries. The Ohio Development Services Agency is asking the state to release a $1 million loan for the project.

DRT Union Centre LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRT Medical LLC, is building the 30,000-square-foot facility on five acres at the corner of Rite Track Way and Union Centre in West Chester Township. It had reportedly been renting a smaller space in the area.

Also known additive manufacturing, 3D printing is a process of adding layers of thin materials to create a product or component. 3D printing is supposed to be the next big thing — for manufacturers as well as consumers — so DRT's success in luring new customers with the technology could provide a big boost to its top line.

DRT Medical produces neurosurgical and orthopedic instruments and spine, knee, hip and shoulder implants and instruments. The West Chester location is expected to be used for new product development.

The company has committed to create 10 full-time jobs at the site on top of the dozen workers it already has there. It will also retain nine workers at a Blue Ash facility.

DRT Holdings consists of about a dozen different manufacturing operations, including DRT Medical, with roughly 700 total employees. About 450 of those are spread across the Dayton region. It provides everything from precision manufacturing for industrial customers to orthopedic instruments and implants.

Founded in 1949 by Ermal Fraze, its DRT Mfg. Co. is famous for developing and perfecting the integral rivet technology that revolutionized the can industry for beer and beverage packaging.

Officials from DRT Holding declined to comment on the project, as the company prefers to stay below the radar.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2014/11/25/dayton-manufacturer-will-open-3d-printing.html