Search

Chattanooga: Building Innovation, Literally

Holly Ashley

What city in the world was the perfect place for Branch Technology founder Platt Boyd to build his groundbreaking new business? With a ‘must have’ list that included blazing fast internet speeds, a thriving entrepreneurial and 3D printing network and access to the natural landscapes that inspire him, Chattanooga checked off everything on his list. So in 2014, Boyd made Gig City his new home – and business has been booming ever since.

Branch Technology uses the world’s largest, freeform 3D printing robot and a patented process called cellular fabrication, or C-Fab™, to create architectural components whose limitless forms are inspired by nature. These components include interior decorative wall elements and ceilings, non-loadbearing interior partitions, furniture and exhibition structures. Branch’s production process looks like this: a 12-foot robotic arm uses a carbon composite material to freeform print a frame in open air. The frame can then be sent to a construction site where it’s finished with traditional construction materials like spray foam or concrete. Pretty amazing, right?

Since choosing Chattanooga, Branch has been named one of the 10 most disruptive technologies of 2015 by Inc. Magazine, created and installed the country’s tallest 3D printed object at the Museum of Design Atlanta, and has garnered headlines in Fortune, Gizmodo and Architect Magazine. Branch’s latest stroke of innovation is in sponsoring a global home design challenge that encourages architects, designers, engineers and artists to “strip away preconceived notions of traditional design and construction and think freely.” The company is literally building innovation thanks to first-class business support provided right here in Chattanooga.

“Chattanooga is like rocket fuel for a startup,” Boyd says. It sure is.

Other Topics

The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Holiday Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Thanks to the support of our presenting partner EPB, First Horizon, Food City, and all our great sponsors, the event brought together those from the…

On Wednesday morning, the Chattanooga Chamber gathered a group of Tennessee state legislators for the Legislative Kickoff event, where they shared their thoughts on the upcoming legislative session and their priorities for the new year.  Senator Bo Watson emphasized that…

With the holidays just around the corner, it's becoming the most wonderful time of the year.   Thankfully, it's possible to make this season even more wonderful. When we shop from locally owned, small businesses, we give two gifts rolled into…

Avail Enclosure Systems, a subsidiary of Avail Infrastructure Solutions, has announced a significant expansion of its Chattanooga facility, a project expected to create 82 new jobs and drive more than $10 million in investment in Hamilton County. The expansion reflects…

Over fall break, Tamyus Malone woke up early on a day he could have otherwise slept late. The Howard School senior joined 15 other classmates for a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of a Chattanooga company known around the world.   Opella.  "This…

In an act praised by many across the state, Gov. Bill Lee enacted a recent bill that supports the Tennessee business community in two significant ways: The bill eliminates the alternative minimum property tax. The bill authorizes the state to…

Sign up for weekly updates.