Ex-Dyson managing director joins AMufacture as chairman

Left right: Will Howden, David Hollander and Craig Pyser

Portsmouth-based AMufacture, one of the country’s leading additive manufacturing (AM) companies, has appointed the former managing director of Dyson as its new chairman. David Hollander has been recruited to support the AM specialist’s rapid growth and oversee its international expansion.

AMufacture, which was founded in 2018 by Craig Pyser and Will Howden, has grown into a leading contract manufacturer in the AM industry, specialising in the marine, automotive and defence secotrs. It has recently benefitted from significant follow-on investment from leading private equity firm Maven Capital and Scottish-based co-investor Turner, which has been helping ambitious companies to grow for more than 100 years.

Mr Hollander, who has more than 40 years’ experience in leading and transforming businesses, said: “I am delighted to join AMufacture at such an exciting time in the company’s development. We now have seven times the capacity we had two years ago with the opportunity ahead to develop either in other areas of the UK or, more importantly, overseas.What I am bringing – from my time at Dyson and other companies - is some experience of having been there and done it before. I greatly admire Will and Craig’s ambition, the progress the company has made to date and I'm impressed by the focus and support that comes from the investment they have received.

“The potential for growth is huge. AM has historically been used for R&D but is now at such an advanced level that it is very cost-effective for relatively short manufacturing runs and for situations of rapid change where a customer does not want to commit to a long run. It allows customers to prepare for multiple scenarios in the most efficient way.”

Rapid growth trajectory
Mr Pyser, who is also chair of AMUK, the AM industry’s trade association, said the appointment comes as the company continues its rapid growth trajectory and is advancing plans for UK and international expansion.

He said: “David’s huge experience, knowledge and passion for innovation will play a great part in leading our growth. He was a key part of the team which built such fantastic success at Dyson and helped establish the company at the forefront of manufacturing innovation and excellence in its sector. That experience – as well as David’s extensive work at other major corporates and his proven track record as chairman of other private equity-backed businesses - will be invaluable as we look to scale AMufacture.”

Mr Howden, a former naval architect and Olympic sailor, added: “We have already established ourselves as a key player in the AM sector, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver innovative solutions across multiple industries. We pride ourselves on working collaboratively and seamlessly with our clients, bringing leading AM technology, processes and experience to their workflow.”

He concluded: “We operate the most sophisticated AM technology in the UK and believe we have only just started to scratch the surface of what it is capable of. With David’s appointment, we are perfectly positioned to grow still further, both in the UK and overseas.”