CEAD Partners With RusselSmith to Bring Large-format 3D Printing to West Africa

Lagos, September 22, 2025 – RusselSmith, an ISO-certified provider of innovative asset integrity and advanced manufacturing solutions for critical industries in Africa, and CEAD, a global leader in large-format 3D printing solutions, today announced a strategic collaboration.

Through this partnership, CEAD and RusselSmith will introduce advanced large-scale additive manufacturing technologies to African markets, enabling new opportunities for local supply chain development, rapid prototyping, and manufacturing localisation across industries such as energy, maritime, and construction. 

This marks the second CEAD system to be installed on the African continent, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting innovation, localised production, and industrial growth across the region. RusselSmith is set to initiate its journey into large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) with the implementation of a CEAD Flexcube 3D printing and 3-axis machining solution. This advanced system will be leveraged to produce end-use parts across multiple industries, including maritime, additive construction, energy, and tooling applications. 

RusselSmith’s expertise in asset integrity and advanced manufacturing, combined with CEAD’s market-leading large-scale 3D printing hardware, software, and materials, will help businesses across Africa improve uptime, reliability, and supply chain efficiency while reducing environmental impact. 

Under the agreement, RusselSmith has been appointed CEAD’s exclusive regional implementation partner for large-format additive manufacturing systems in designated West African territories. The collaboration encompasses technology deployment, with CEAD advising on equipment specifications and providing training, technical support, and guidance on material adaptation. RusselSmith will apply LFAM in the marine, defence, and construction sectors, supported by new manufacturing facilities it will construct and operate. Together, the companies will promote LFAM capabilities across West Africa and jointly evaluate local material supply chains. CEAD will serve as a technological advisor throughout the collaboration. 

“Our collaboration with RusselSmith marks an exciting step in bringing CEAD’s technology to a new and rapidly growing area,” said Lucas Janssen, CEO of CEAD. “Together, we will enable African businesses to innovate faster, produce locally, and embrace more sustainable manufacturing practices.” 

RusselSmith, with a strong presence in Africa’s critical sectors, will leverage CEAD’s large-scale 3D printing solutions to support clients in manufacturing replacement parts, tooling, and bespoke components locally, reducing reliance on imports and lowering operational downtime. 

“Our partnership with CEAD is an exciting step forward for RusselSmith and brings real value to the industries we serve. By integrating large-format additive manufacturing into our existing capabilities, we are better positioned to support key sectors such as maritime, energy, defence and construction with more innovative, sustainable and localised manufacturing solutions that deliver shorter lead times, reduced logistics costs, and stronger local supply chains,” said Kayode Adeleke, CEO of RusselSmith. “RusselSmith and CEAD share a common vision in promoting the adoption of LFAM, and this collaboration reflects our strong commitment to building more resilient industries and creating lasting value across Africa.”