Tronix3D, a 3D printing company, is making a $4 million commitment to expand its operations in Pittsburgh and hire nearly 50 new employees.
Public officials and local ecosystem stakeholders gathered at the XFactory in Point Breeze on Friday to show support for Tronix3D’s new headquarters, a floor above where it used to be located, and a space the company started building out about six months ago, according to CEO Michael Vindler. Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is putting $200,000 toward the expansion.
“Since we started this buildout, the amount of growth we’ve already had since then, this space has already started to feel small,” Vindler said. “That’s just a testament to the need in this industry and the need we have locally.”
A bigger facility will help Tronix3D work with more companies in the defense and physical AI sector, according to Vindler, who Technical.ly named a RealLIST Innovator earlier this year.
Founded in 2017, Tronix3D specializes in industrial 3D printing. It works with local companies like Westinghouse, Curtiss-Wright and Gecko Robotics, DCED Secretary Rick Siger said, and is a critical piece of the local supply chain.
“It’s especially exciting for us to see this company’s success,” Siger said, “because it’s really aligned at its core with two industries we’ve focused on in our 10-year economic development strategy: Technology and manufacturing.”
The 47 new jobs from this expansion will help Tronix3D increase its production, expand rapid prototyping and serve larger customers with longer-term contracts, Siger added.
State reps and officials from the City of Pittsburgh praised the expansion as a win for the city.
Economic development leaders often focus on bringing new companies into the region, but it’s more important to make sure homegrown firms are thriving here, according to Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.
“[This is] an announcement of making things, of fortifying supply chains and making sure our companies continue to manufacture here in our region,” Pashman said. “Having a top-tier 3D printing and advanced manufacturing provider in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County strengthens that and really fortifies our economy.”
