Sustainable furniture manufacturer Haddy officially opened the doors to its new groundbreaking microfactory in St. Petersburg, Florida. The launch exemplifies St. Pete’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and is a bellwether for the future of how things are made in America.
World’s largest 3D printing facility arrives in the Sunshine State
The new Haddy facility, located at 251 10th Street N just north of St. Pete’s EDGE District, is now the world’s largest and most powerful 3D printing operation. With a production capacity 16x that of its competitors, this AI-powered facility spans 32,000 square feet and represents a paradigm shift in manufacturing capabilities.
“Haddy’s new facility represents one of the most significant leaps forward for the ‘reindustrialization’ movement in the United States,” explained CEO Jay Rogers in an exclusive interview with BBC News. “Emerging tech is paving the way. Hard-to-make products can be re-shored to regions all over the United States—and made even better than when they were concentrated in low-labor locations abroad.”
From innovative roots to revolutionary manufacturing
The journey to this moment began years ago. As Rogers shared during the grand opening, “The idea of Haddy came to me in 1995 when I first read about what could be done with an internet-powered machine.” Before founding Haddy in 2022 with CTO Kyle Rowe, Rogers had already launched Local Motors, which created the Strati—the world’s first 3D printed electric car.
This breakthrough led to a manufacturing process capable of printing furniture from digital files, which took on new significance during the pandemic when consumer demand for sustainable, customizable furniture skyrocketed. Initially operating from a 20,000-square-foot space in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District, the company has now expanded to its current, larger location.
Beyond furniture: Expanding into new markets
While beginning with a focus on furniture, Haddy is now securing deals with both major retailers and independent buyers. Their technology allows for creating a diverse range of products—from stylish chairs and tables to outdoor planters and wellness products—all with unprecedented speed and sustainability.
This isn’t just a factory opening,” noted Lex Kiefhaber, COO of Haddy. “This is America planting a flag in the future of making things. We can build smarter, faster, and cheaper, while improving overall quality. And we can do it right here at home. If you time-traveled to this moment you’d think this was insane. But it’s real.”
A glimpse inside the factory of the future
Inside the facility’s north bay, a fleet of six robots—named Ada, Bumblebee, Clio, Dali, Edison, and Fibonacci—actively manufacture furniture using melted materials repurposed from old fishing nets and plastics. These aren’t ordinary machines; as Rogers explained, “These robots can observe their actions, learn from them, and become smarter through various AI agents.”
The company has already begun making its mark locally, producing the area’s first 3D-printed coffee bar for Paradeco Coffee Roasters at St. Pete’s SkyBeach Resort. Their product line has expanded to include modern, chic chairs, tables, planters, and even cold plunge tubs—all created using sustainable, recyclable materials.
The grand opening event on April 10th featured not only Rogers but also partners from Siemens AG and CEAD, a Netherlands-based tech company specializing in large-scale composite manufacturing. This collaboration highlights the global significance of what’s happening in St. Pete.
Revitalizing American manufacturing and local economies
The St. Pete facility serves as more than just a production hub—it’s a blueprint for the kind of microfactories Haddy plans to establish close to customers worldwide. “We will have micro-facilities all over the world,” Rogers said during the grand opening. This distributed manufacturing model promises to reshape supply chains while creating new types of jobs.
Rogers emphasized how this approach can help manufacturers navigate shifting political and economic landscapes, particularly by avoiding international tariffs. “The stock market updraft happened in 1995. The downdraft comes when we try to bring it back—and the real work is done by companies like this, making it possible,” he explained.
Currently, Haddy’s “human” team in St. Pete consists of a small group of engineers, designers, and programmers, with plans to grow as operations expand.
St. Petersburg: The perfect home for innovation
The choice of St. Petersburg as Haddy’s headquarters is no accident. St. Pete’s manufacturing community includes everything from Jabil’s mission-critical parts to Haddy’s sustainable furniture. City of St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has expressed strong support for the company’s growth, stating, “Haddy’s growth and expansion is a clear representation of the spirit of St. Pete—the spirit of innovation, perseverance, and creativity that truly defines our city.”
The move to this larger facility was facilitated by Cushman & Wakefield Executive Director Wendy Giffin, who represented Haddy in securing the long-term lease.
Pinellas County has the largest manufacturing base among eight Tampa Bay counties and employs the third highest number of manufacturing employees in the state of Florida, primarily in electronics and medical device manufacturing.
The future of American manufacturing
With their slogan “Rebuilding America, One Layer at a Time,” Haddy is setting a new standard for what American manufacturing can be. By combining robotics, AI, and sustainable practices, they’re demonstrating that the U.S. can once again lead the way in how things are made—with a focus on conservation, speed, and resilience.
As traditional manufacturing continues to evolve, Haddy’s St. Pete microfactory is a vision of a more agile, sustainable, and locally-rooted industrial future—one that could transform not just how we make things, but where we make them and who benefits from their production.
For more, visit haddy.life.
