K-Tig Limited will create UK subsidiary Keyhole TIG and has appointed corporate strategist Benjamin Hall as the executive to drive the acceleration of the company’s activities globally.

Keyhole TIG will employ a direct sales force and provide support by establishing a technology demonstration centre.

The UK-based subsidiary will also expand integrator partners and establish the logistics for inventory warehousing in Europe.

The expansion follows a successful piloted rollout of K- TIG’s revised distribution model in the US over the past nine months.

K-TIG Managing Director Adrian Smith said the USA experience had proven the importance of an in-region direct sales force, quick local availability of systems and spares and on the ground assistance for training and application development.

“The time has come to expand this model into our second most important market. As the UK comes out of COVID hibernation we are seeing a resumption of activity in the fabrication of nuclear waste containment vessels,” he said.

“We are delighted to have Ben step into the role of general manager.

“Having him on our team is a real game changer, allowing us to best position K-TIG’s disruptive technologies in the marketplace to greatly accelerate our growth in this important region.”

K-TIG’s high speed precision technology welds up to 100 times faster than traditional TIG welding, achieving full penetration in a single pass in materials up to 16mm in thickness and typically operates at twice the speed of plasma welding.

Its technology has been field tested and exported to customers in 20 countries.

Hall joins K-TIG from the London office of KPMG’s Global Strategy Group where he was responsible for the development of industrial strategy for the UK Government as well as advising businesses on their response to government policies.

“I’m excited to be taking on a role with such an innovative business which will change the global landscape of industry fabrication,” the former Australian Army officer said.

“K-TIG’s cutting edge technology is ready to meet the emerging demand in the UK and EU markets.”

“My first priority is to reach a formal agreement in the nuclear waste storage market by building on the great work K-TIG has already been doing here in the UK.

“We will then look to expand our collaboration efforts in hydrogen storage and transport, as well as continuing our R&D to stay one step ahead of industry needs to provide industry-leading solutions.”

“Our long-term goal is to establish deep collaborative partnerships in the UK and Europe to embed our technology solutions into next-generation manufacturing supply chains.

“In both markets (UK & EU) there is an increasing focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) centred around achieving Net Zero. K-TIG’s welding system is the only technology which can dramatically reduce emissions to help our clients move towards Net Zero.”

K-TIG’s welding technology was initially developed in Adelaide more than a decade ago by the CSIRO, before the company was spun out to commercialise it.

It listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in October 2019 following a $7 million capital raise. It embarked on a further $6 million capital raise late last year.

The company established a North American sales and distribution network last year, which is beginning to pay dividends, and has also established a formal R&D group in Adelaide.