SPICER, Minn. — The team at DI Labs is proud to announce the latest addition to their additive manufacturing testing and production lab – an HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF). They are the first in Minnesota to own this cutting-edge technology and offer it to business clients throughout the state and region. DI Labs owners and brothers Carl, Brian and Sean Douglass received loan assistance from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Business Finance Program to finance this revolutionary manufacturing technology.
Multi Jet Fusion is ushering in a new era of manufacturing by providing high volume, consumer-ready parts as an alternative to costly injection molding. It can build highly sophisticated, functional prototypes and parts with extreme precision and speed. MJF offers the same strength and finish quality of injection molded parts with turnaround times as short as 48 hours.
“We are proud to offer this amazing technology to businesses in Minnesota. It’s going to open up so many doors for companies who want to innovate, be more responsive to their markets and have a more cost effective production option for parts and products,” said Carl Douglass, Engineer and Co-Founder of DI Labs. “We took the leap to purchase this MJF machine based on the demand we’re seeing in the engineering and product development side of our business. Our clients need customized parts produced in low to medium volumes without the expense of injection molds, as do so many other companies in the region.”
DI Labs is headquartered in Spicer. Partners Carl, Brian and Sean Douglass have been in business for almost five years and operate a sister company called D3D that provides custom designed printing components to 3D printer manufacturers throughout the country.
Part of DI Lab’s unique niche is pairing this new technology with its design, product development and engineering services.
“It’s our ability to offer experienced, innovative design and product development services that gives us the edge,” Brian Douglass said. “Often, companies need outside perspective to create new solutions for part or product designs, and that’s our specialty. At DI Labs, there’s always a solution, and now with MJF technology, the sky’s the limit.”
Multi Jet Fusion technology is a major investment, and DI Labs turned to SWIF for support and funding.
“SWIF was the perfect partner for us; they were extremely engaged in reviewing our business case and they are deeply committed to supporting the advancement of manufacturing and technology businesses in the region,” Carl Douglass said.
SWIF Business Finance Director Amy Woitalewicz added, “We were thrilled to have the opportunity to help these entrepreneurs. SWIF is focused on growing manufacturing capabilities in our region and this project fit our priorities perfectly. DI Labs is an extremely committed and innovative company and we are proud to partner with them to get this new technology to southwest Minnesota.”
Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception, supporting communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. The original program offered large loans for businesses. In 2001, SWIF’s Microenterprise Loan Program was added to support small business owners and entrepreneurs by providing market-rate loans. SWIF partners with banks and credit unions, economic development organizations, nonprofit lenders and private investors to offer creative financing.
For more information about business loans, contact SWIF at 800-594-9480, 320-587-4848 or [email protected].
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation is an independent community foundation supported by individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who want to strengthen southwest Minnesota. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has contributed more than $75 million through its grant and loan programs. Its business finance programs have helped start or expand more than 700 businesses, which have created or retained more than 8,600 jobs. SWIF has also established 26 community affiliates and more than 100 school, donor-advised and other funds, as well as 16 Early Childhood Initiative coalitions to support young children. SWIF has received 1,730 acres of farmland through our Keep It Growing℠ farmland giving program. In 2016, SWIF launched the Grow Our Own Initiative to align its work and ensure all southwest Minnesota kids have the best start to life. The Southwest Initiative Foundation is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To learn more, visit www.swifoundation.org.
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