UDM Expands Facility and Technologies

The 3-Dimensional Services Group (Rochester Hills, MI), a leader in rapid manufacturing and low-volume production, has announced an ambitious expansion to one of its affiliated companies, Urgent Design & Manufacturing (UDM; Lapeer, MI), which will add 65,000 sq ft to their current 100,000 sq ft Lapeer facility to allow for greater flexibility of their fabricating and machining footprint. The expansion and related equipment will result in an eventual investment approaching $10 million that is also expected to boost employment at the facility by more than 30 employees. The addition will not only increase the output capacity of the facility, but when combined with the anticipated investment in new equipment, will also grow the range of services offered.

A unique feature of this facility will be the “Design Studio,” an area designated and labeled by the company that will further enhance their capabilities as a full service, quick response advanced product development source, from design assist and validation, through manufacturing support. “This expansion is pivotal to boost our capabilities to fabricate a broad spectrum of components and assemblies and to provide our customers with access to the best and latest technologies,” stated Douglas Peterson, the founder and chief executive officer of the 3-Dimensional Services Group.

“Our customers’ product designs and engineering processes are changing at a rapid pace to keep up with market demands and global competition,” added Alan Peterson, the company president. “This expansion and subsequent investment in manufacturing technologies is necessary to meet these needs both now and in the future for our growing customer base.”

“Some might see this as a risky move in an uncertain economy, but we’ve been able to grow organically by paring risk with opportunity and, so far, it has proven to be a boon for our customers. The last two years have given us the confidence that this expansion is just one more strategic step toward future success,” noted Keith Chene, their chief financial officer.

UDM began operations in 2000 as an extension and broadening of 3-Dimensional Services that offers hydroforming and associated CNC tube bending, 3-axis and 5-axis fiber laser cutting, CNC machining, robotic and manual welding, hydroforming, waterjet cutting, as well as a large stamping and forming department, along with numerous CAD and engineering workstations.

The 3-Dimensional Services Group, which consists of 3-Dimensional Services, Urgent Plastic Services, Urgent Design & Manufacturing, 3-Dimensional Services-Europe and Michigan Integrated Technologies, has earned a reputation for building functional prototype parts and producing low-volume production parts 50 percent to 70 percent faster than conventional shops.

3dimensional.com