A COMPANY is investing further in 3D printing after seeing the benefits that the technology brings to NHS patients using hearing aids and demand for its services increase.

Normanby Laboratory Services provides custom-made earpieces for hearing aids to the NHS supply chain as well as hearing protection for industrial, sporting and leisure use under the name Plugzz.

Paul Lincoln and his wife Diane moved their business into UK Steel Enterprise’s Innovation Centre on Redcar’s Kirkleatham Business Park in 2013 to gain additional office and workshop space to expand and have since doubled their workforce. The company is an approved NHS supplier dealing with hospitals across the UK and Wales.

Mr Lincoln said: “We have also just heard that we have been awarded a place on the NHS Scotland and Northern Ireland’s approved supplier list after a rigorous tendering process, and we recently started expanding our presence within Specsavers Hearcare group.

“We invested in our first 3D printer four years ago and it has proved so successful that we have now bought a second printer and set up a dedicated print room. Their use brings major benefits to the NHS, saving costs and time."