Spare Parts 3D introduced its Additive Manufacturing solution to key Saudi Stakeholders during the French Fab Booster accelerator program

Spare Parts 3D (SP3D) is a French startup that helps manufacturers digitalize their spare parts inventory through additive manufacturing. They were part of the first French-Saudi French Fab Booster accelerator program that took place in Saudi Arabia from the 14th to the 24th of November launched by Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, in partnership with the National Industrial Development and Logistics program (NIDLP).

During a 10-day immersion program, the French startup specialized in additive manufacturing had the opportunity to pitch its unique machine-learning software DigiPART in front of key local players, industrialists and investors during tailor-made business meetings and strategic conferences, to explain the benefits of additive manufacturing for a simplified, decarbonized and more reliable supply chain.

A 10-day immersion program between Riyadh, Jubail and Damam to introduce their AM solution to key partners 

The French Fab Booster is a scale-up program dedicated to French innovative companies keen to establish in Saudi Arabia and become a major player of the Saudi Vision 2030. The program kicked off on a high note during a symposium that gathered major Saudi stakeholders such as Aramco, PIF, Obeikan Investment Group, Equans, Axens, Saur.. This was followed by organized visits in Riyadh to KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology) to learn more about the initiatives in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Industry 4.0 along with the innovation district represented by the Garage, and Obeikan Industrial City to explore their digital journey.

Intensive sessions were then scheduled with Asharqia Chamber, one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest and well-established service organization that provide support to private sector initiatives in industry, trade and services, located in Dammam in the eastern region. SPD3D along with the other French delegates visited then Dhahran Techno Valley Holding Company (DTVC) – a wholly owned subsidiary of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) – is a key driver of the Dhahran Techno Valley Ecosystem created to promote a knowledge-based economy including national champions such as Saudi Aramco, SABIC and SEC, technology partners and small to medium size enterprises. Workshop sessions were also held with Al Sheikh group & Al Orouba Investment to coach and mentor French startups.

As an intensive business program focused on fast-growing companies in the areas of Industry 4.0, Spare Parts 3D had access to a soft-landing program composed of mentorship, decision-makers, and Saudi investors, while providing specific tools to develop business in the Kingdom. The accelerator program was divided into four phases that lasted nine months on total. From go-to-market preparation, bootcamp, coaching, to B2B business meetings with key local partners, and curated matchmaking sessions with local investors.

“We were honored to have been selected by a French-Saudi jury to take part to this wonderful journey of business acceleration in Saudi Arabia that bodes well for future development in a country with a growing and promising industrial base. During this 10-days immersion trip, we met and had fruitful discussions with a lot of key potential partners that are eager to engage in more cooperation to contribute to the Saudi Vision 2030 and the ongoing industrial transformation in the Kingdom to help factories gain more operational excellency. The digitalization of manufacturing and the integration of additive manufacturing is a key element that can support the Kingdom’s industrial transformation” commented Paul Guillaumot, CEO of Spare Parts 3D.

The Middle East: an excellent launchpad to scale up their additive manufacturing solution to localize supply chains 

Spare Parts 3D solutions have proven to be successful in the Middle East as evidenced by its recent collaboration with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) where during six months, the team processed 150,000 coded spare parts to define a 3D printing adoption matrix based on technical feasibility and economical attractiveness.

This was made possible thanks to SP3D data-driven funnel approach methodology, its unique machine-learning based software DigiPART, the availability of material coding information records and the commitment of a multidisciplinary PDO team.

This use case was presented at the smart manufacturing technical conference during the last edition of ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi where Paul Guillaumot, CEO of Spare Parts 3D explained how their software DigiPART was used to provide value generating selection of 3D printable parts and a strategic 5 year roadmap for in country value.

“This program was co-built to support In-Country value initiatives in Oman. SP3D regrouped the outcome to show the Additive Manufacturing solutions and materials combinations with most potential to increase local added value. PDO was then able to provide input to local investment decisions and support the localization strategy” commented Paul Guillaumot.

In the light of the recent National Industrial Strategy launched by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources that seeks to triple manufacturing GDP by 2030 in the Kingdom, SP3D solutions can be a game-changer to simplify and digitize supply-chains in the Kingdom.