Key Takeaways
- Arridex (formerly RussellSmith) launches the Ghana Node of its Africa Distributed Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) Network.
- The new hub pairs Arridex’s in-house metal-laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) and polymer extrusion lines with Ghanaian partner Sodah Engineering & Logistics Ltd.
- Focus sectors: defense, oil & gas, mining, and maritime – all with a goal to cut lead-times for legacy-equipment spares by up to 70 %.
- The ADAM Network now spans Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, offering a continent-wide, on-demand 3-D printing service.
- Arridex’s “Omnifactory” facility in Lagos houses 4 metal LPBF printers (max 400 µm layer thickness), 2 polymer FFF systems (up to 0.8 mm nozzle), and a cold-spray Spee3D unit capable of depositing up to 2 mm / s metal feedstock.
Arridex Expands Its Distributed Manufacturing Footprint to Ghana
Background: From RussellSmith to a Pan-African Additive-Manufacturing Player
Arridex, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, grew out of the former RussellSmith, a company that built a reputation for delivering certified polymer parts to the oil-and-gas sector. Today, Arridex runs a full-stack additive-manufacturing operation that includes:
| Technology | Material Range | Typical Build Volume | Key Specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) | Stainless steel 316L, Inconel 718, Titanium Ti-6Al-4V | 200 × 200 × 200 mm | 400 µm min layer, 200 W fiber laser |
| Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | ABS, PETG, Nylon, carbon-filled polymers | 300 × 300 × 400 mm | 0.8 mm nozzle, 250 °C hot-end |
| Cold-Spray (Spee3D) | Aluminum 6061, Copper, Nickel alloys | 150 × 150 mm coating area | 2 mm / s deposition, < 200 °C substrate temp |
These capabilities have already supported projects with BLT (metal LPBF) and Spee3D (cold-spray) for offshore oil-field components, as well as a digital inventory platform that tracks 3-D-printed spares across West Africa.
The Ghana Node: Strategic Partnership and Facility Overview
In September 2026, Arridex signed a joint-venture agreement with Sodah Engineering & Logistics Ltd., a Ghana-based firm with strong links to the nation’s defense and mining ministries. The partnership will operate a mid-size Omnifactory in Accra, equipped with:
- 1 LPBF printer (max build 150 × 150 × 150 mm) for high-strength aerospace-grade parts.
- 1 polymer FFF line (dual-extruder, capable of multi-material prints).
- 1 Spee3D cold-spray unit for rapid repair of marine-grade hull sections.
The node is expected to reduce part-delivery time from 30 days (traditional supply chain) to under 7 days, delivering critical spares for legacy equipment that often sits idle waiting for OEM replacements.
Target Industries and Expected Impact
| Sector | Typical Parts | Current Lead-Time | Projected Lead-Time with ADAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defense | Turret gearboxes, UAV brackets | 45 days | 10 days |
| Oil & Gas | Pump housings, valve bodies | 30 days | 6 days |
| Mining | Wear plates, drill-bit shrouds | 28 days | 8 days |
| Maritime | Propeller inserts, corrosion-resistant fittings | 35 days | 9 days |
By localising production, Arridex aims to cut logistics costs by up to 55 % and lower carbon emissions equivalent to 1,200 t CO₂ per year across the four-country network.
CEO Perspective: A Borderless Manufacturing Vision
Arridex Group CEO Kayode Adeleke emphasized the continent-wide ambition:
“African industry isn’t limited by talent or ambition; it’s often held back by the unavailability of a single, critical component. Our ADAM Network creates a borderless, tech-driven supply chain that can print that component on demand, wherever the need arises.”
He added that the Ghana Node will serve as a regional hub for certification and quality assurance, aligning with ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards to ensure that every printed part meets aerospace-grade tolerances.
Bottom Line
Arridex’s launch of the Ghana Node marks a pivotal step toward a continent-wide, on-demand additive-manufacturing ecosystem. By coupling advanced LPBF, polymer extrusion, and cold-spray technologies with a strategic local partner, the company is poised to slash spare-part lead-times, reduce logistics costs, and empower critical sectors such as defense and energy. The ADAM Network’s expansion underscores a broader shift: Africa is moving from a passive importer of legacy equipment to an active, digitally enabled manufacturer capable of sustaining its own industrial lifelines.
