MANUFACTURING giant Siemens will invest £27million in a new factory for Worcester-based Materials Solutions Ltd, creating around 55 jobs.

Material Solutions, which is Siemens' additive manufacturing specialist, will move to the state-of-the-art facility at Worcester Six Business Park near Warndon this September, and the new building will allow the firm to increase its fleet of 3D printing machines from 15 to 50 over the next five years.

The expansion of the business, which is currently based at Great Western Business Park in Ronkswood, will lead to around 55 news jobs, increasing Materials Solutions’ workforce to around 80

This new facility will also be a focal point for collaboration between Materials Solutions and the already sizeable UK Siemens Digital Factory division.

Siemens acquired a majority stake, 85 per cent, in Materials Solutions Ltd in 2016. The business is a pioneer in the use of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology for the manufacture of high-performance metal parts and has grown its business considerably over the last two years.

“This significant investment underlines our belief that there is huge potential for innovation and growth within the additive manufacturing sector," said Juergen Maier, Siemens UK CEO. "It is also the next step towards achieving our ambition of pioneering the industrialisation of 3D printing and demonstrates how we are leading the way for the fourth industrial revolution.”

Phil Hatherley, general manager of Materials Solutions, said: “Our new facility will give us the space and scope to continue to innovate for specialist and demanding industries and achieve a shift in the perception of 3D printing from being a technology associated with prototyping to a viable option for the serial production of additively manufactured parts.”

Business Secretary Greg Clark MP said “Britain has a proud manufacturing heritage and through our Industrial Strategy the government has set out a vision and plan that will build on this strength and create an environment that enables manufacturers to continue to thrive. The investment being made by Siemens into UK advanced manufacturing demonstrates the confidence businesses have in the strategy."

Cassie Bray, director of business engagement at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Siemens investing in Worcester is great news for our local businesses and the community. We’re delighted that the new jobs created will be high tech and focused on the latest 3D printing innovations for industry – a sign that our region can be at the centre of a fourth industrial revolution.”