Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the award-winning training provider highlights impact with 2,000+ learners and £2 million in social value.
What began as a grassroots response to a national crisis has become one of the North West’s most impactful training organisations in advanced manufacturing. 3D 360 Ltd founded during the first COVID-19 lockdown, celebrates five years this week, with a legacy built on practical learning, community values, and national influence.
Back in March 2020, with over 30 years in engineering design and manufacturing, Paul Bullock had just taken up a new role at Fab Lab Warrington when the country went into lockdown. Alongside Chris Hillidge of Beamont Collegiate Academy, and with a team of volunteers, they launched an emergency 3D printer farm to produce face visors for frontline NHS staff. Within weeks, they had scaled production from 5 to 25 machines, supplying over 5,000 visors to hospitals and care settings across the region.
It was during this time that Paul reconnected with Lee Fogg, an experienced engineer then working on ventilator safety components. The two had previously worked together on the committee of the South Lancs Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), a shared commitment that would later shape the values and direction of their business.
“Lots of people know that 3D 360 is a company built around social value,” says Paul Bullock, Co-Founder and Managing Director.
“but not many people know that the Directors of 3D 360, Lee and I, met on the committee of the South Lancs Branch of the MND Association. That foundation really helped cement our focus on people, purpose and community.”
Their collaboration, grounded in real-world problem-solving and a deep alignment on social values, quickly evolved into a long-term mission: to close the digital skills gap in emerging technologies like 3D printing, 3D CAD, robotics, automation, and AI.
“Many organisations had invested in equipment but didn’t have the skills to use it,” says Paul
“We saw a massive opportunity to empower local people and businesses with practical training that’s relevant right now.”
Fast forward five years, and 3D 360 Ltd has trained over 2,000 learners across the UK. Over 80% have gone on to secure employment or progress in their careers, many within local industries or public sector roles. Their training programmes are now funded by the Department for Education, as well as private clients, and delivered in partnership with schools, colleges, local authorities and major employers.
The company’s social value credentials are equally strong. Since 2021, 3D 360 has delivered more than £2 million in verified local economic and community value using the National TOMs framework. One of its standout initiatives, LIFT (Local Industry Funding Technology), enables companies to sponsor training for schools and youth groups through a “train the trainer” model that continues to grow across the region.
With headquarters in Leigh and delivery partners across the North West, 3D 360 Ltd remains rooted in its founding mission: to use practical, hands-on training to drive real progress for people, workplaces and communities. 3D 360 Ltd has been recognised with multiple awards, celebrating the company’s commitment to innovation, practical training, and community impact.
“We challenge convention with purpose,” adds Co-Founder Lee Fogg.
“We’re here to give people the skills they need to shape the future, and we want to take that even further over the next five years.”
(CTA) For local authorities, schools and community groups interested in partnering with 3D 360, more information is available at: www.3d360printer.co.uk
