Fast Radius, LLC was formed in 2014 by Rick Smith and Mitch Free, and in 2017, Fast Radius, LLC merged with Fast Radius, Inc.[6][7] Fast Radius, Inc. was co-founded by Lou Rassey, Pat McCusker, Bill King, and John Nanry in a partnership with the shipping and logistics company UPS in an effort to leverage additive manufacturing as a supply chain solution.[8] Since its founding, the company has grown to more than 240 full-time employees and has expanded from supply chain solutions[buzzword] to all manner of parts manufacturing.[3][9]
Its Chicago headquarters, which has been in operation since 2018, is home to the largest public install base of Carbon DLS 3D printers in North America.[3] It was named a Lighthouse Factory, a distinction honoring the best digital factories in the world, by the World Economic Forum.[10]
In addition, Fast Radius’ has a large footprint of HPMulti Jet Fusion (MJF) equipment, FormlabsStereolithography (SLA) printers, and the Desktop Metal Studio System.[11] Fast Radius also has a robust presence of StratasysFDM printers co-located at the UPS World Port facility in Louisville, Kentucky.[12][13] The company is technology-agnostic, and works with a global network of manufacturers to provide CNC machining, injection molding, and urethane casting services.
In 2022, the company became listed on Nasdaq through a merger with ECP Environmental Growth Opportunities Corp.[22] As of August 29, 2022, the company remains insolvent and the stock's share price is down over 95% since its IPO.
Partnerships and awards
Partnerships
United Parcel Service (UPS): Fast Radius was founded in partnership with UPS, opening a factory with 100 3D printers at the UPS worldwide hub in Louisville, Kentucky. UPS boosted its commitment to the relationship, linking the 3D printers in 60 of its U.S. stores to the Kentucky hub to create a robust digital manufacturing network.[23]
Carbon: In 2018, Fast Radius partnered with the digital 3D manufacturing company Carbon to redesign Steelcase's SILQ office chair. Both companies worked with Steelcase to design, engineer, and print a custom armrest intended to react intuitively to the sitter's body and movements. Fast Radius and Carbon showcased the armrest at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago September 10–15, 2018.[24]
Hewlett-Packard (HP): In June 2020, Fast Radius became the first Chicago-based member of the HP Digital Manufacturing Network.[25]
Awards
In September 2018, Fast Radius was named one of nine Lighthouse factories by the World Economic Forum.[10]
In July 2019, Fast Radius CEO Lou Rassey was named to Crain's Chicago Tech 50 List.[26]
In October 2019, Fast Radius won the 2019 Chicago Innovation Award.[27]