43
Printing 3D opens with excitement for the Valley
By Kalea Hall
LIBERTY
Paul Palovich knew Friday would be an exciting day for him, his business partner, Ted Webb, and their newly opened company, Printing 3D Parts Inc., 16 Belgrade Ave.
The excitement for the first commercial enterprise locally to use 3-D printing and scanning technologies in the container industry was visible among the guests in attendance at the ribbon-cutting for the small business.
“This is continuing to make Youngstown the epicenter of 3-D printing,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th.
Ryan toured the new Liberty business and was inspired by the operation that plans to build off an existing business and produce prototype containers for various companies, in addition to joining other markets in the future including the automotive-restoration market, antique toys and arts and crafts.
“It was nice to see a lot of the governmental officials taking a real strong interest in what we are doing,” Webb said.
Webb’s other company, Meridian Arts and Graphics off Belmont Avenue, produces the graphics and printing plates for container companies, which is how he discovered the need to have a faster, more cost-effective way for those companies to make prototype containers.
It was about a year and a half ago when Webb started down the 3-D printing and scanning path and asked his friend Palovich, a retired Delphi engineer, to join him.
Now, the two are hoping to have everything ready to accept new clientele for the company by mid-November, after more training is complete on some of the equipment that was a part of about a $250,000 investment by the two.
“We want to perfect what we are doing first before we show what our capabilities are,” Webb said.
So far, Printing 3D Parts has received positive comments from community members and officials.
“I am amazed and thrilled that this is expanding here in our township, and I hope they will continue with huge success,” said Jodi Stoyak, a Liberty Township trustee. “They have a unique business.”
Huntington Bank and the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp. were key supporters of Printing 3D Parts.