Additive Engineering Solutions announces new director of business development

Andy Bridge, director of business development; Andrew Bader, VP and co-founder at AES; and AES president, Austin Schmidt. Photo Credit: Additive Engineering Solutions

Additive Engineering Solutions (AES, Akron, Ohio) a large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) company with a focus on tooling, parts and prototypes, has announced that Andy Bridge has joined as director of business development. This is a new position created to support AES’ next-level growth initiatives. Bridge will lead efforts to identify new market applications, expand AES’ customer base, as well as contribute to advancing internal development of additive technology.

Bridge brings more than 35 years of experience within the composite industry, ranging from the sporting goods, marine, aerospace, transportation, architectural, wind, defense and construction markets. He has had executive roles in R&D, sales and business development with Orenco Composites (Roseburg, Ore., U.S.), Janicki Industries (Sedro-Woolley, Wash., U.S.) and Werner Paddles (Monroe, Wash., U.S.). He reportedly brings a wealth of market strategies, composites manufacturing, product development, tooling design and tooling-part interaction knowledge to AES.

“This new position is a big step and investment for our small business, but it’s also a necessary one to continue on our growth trajectory,” Andrew Bader, VP and co-founder at AES, says. Bader, who has been managing AES’ sales since he and co-founder Austin Schmidt (president) started the company in 2016, wanted to find someone not only with the desired sales experience, but someone that had a deeper understanding at an application level. “Tooling for composites is our largest market and Andy not only has sold tooling for many years but he’s also well versed in composite part fabrication, and we’re all excited at AES to learn from him.”

According to Bridge “I have watched and studied the market adoption of large-format additive technology, and believe we are at an inflection point with huge growth opportunities. AES is positioned as a pure play multi-market additive company with a record of solving customer’s challenges. I’m thrilled to join AES as we explore the future of the additive revolution.”