SPEE3D names Bryan O’Connor global CEO

SPEE3D appointed Bryan O’Connor as global chief executive officer as co-founder Byron Kennedy shifts to the United States to build the company’s U.S. business. The move is aimed at accelerating SPEE3D’s defense manufacturing growth across the Indo-Pacific and its key U.S. market.

Why it matters: - SPEE3D is putting a veteran defense and industrial executive in charge as the company pushes into its next growth phase. - The leadership change is designed to strengthen SPEE3D’s global expansion while Kennedy focuses on one of the company’s most important markets, the United States. - SPEE3D’s technology is aimed at helping defense forces produce and repair metal parts closer to where they are needed, which can improve logistics and sustainment in the field.

What happened: - SPEE3D appointed Bryan O’Connor as Global Chief Executive Officer. - Current CEO and co-founder Byron Kennedy is relocating to the United States to build the company’s presence, partnerships and business there. - Kennedy will focus on growing SPEE3D’s U.S. business while O’Connor leads the company worldwide. - The appointment was announced Sept. 14, 2026.

The details: - O’Connor brings more than 30 years of senior executive experience across aerospace, defense and industrial automation. - His background includes General Manager and Managing Director roles with major multinational companies, including Moog and Apple, in Australia and Ireland. - At Moog, O’Connor served as General Manager, Asia-Pacific Defence, and Managing Director of Moog Australia. - He expanded Moog’s regional defense business across the Indo-Pacific and supported major defense programs. - O’Connor also oversaw new facility construction in 2014 and a major expansion in 2022 while in Australia. - His work included strategic opportunities tied to ASCA, GCSP, F-35, GWEO and GMLRS. - SPEE3D said O’Connor’s experience in defense, sovereign capability and international business development supports the company’s global growth plans. - Adam Lewis, chairman of SPEE3D, called O’Connor an exceptional fit to lead the company. - O’Connor said SPEE3D’s CriticalSPEE3D model could change how defense forces manufacture, repair and sustain critical capability in the field. - O’Connor said the model could improve Forward Operating Base logistics by enabling critical metal parts to be produced rapidly and close to where they are needed. - Kennedy said the appointment is a key milestone as SPEE3D expands globally and continues delivering manufacturing capabilities to defense and industrial customers. - SPEE3D describes itself as a defense manufacturing technology company and pioneer of Cold Spray Manufacturing, a deployable approach to metal part production that builds components at high speed without melting. - SPEE3D’s expeditionary systems are designed to place metal manufacturing at the point of need on land or at sea. - SPEE3D operates in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. - The company works with militaries and partners on on-demand manufacturing in the field. - More information is available on SPEE3D’s website.

Between the lines: - The leadership split suggests SPEE3D is formalizing a two-track strategy: one executive focused on global operations and another focused on U.S. market expansion. - O’Connor’s background points to a stronger emphasis on defense procurement, industrial scale-up and sovereign manufacturing capabilities. - The timing suggests SPEE3D wants to capitalize on demand for deployable manufacturing systems as militaries look for more resilient supply chains.

What's next: - O’Connor will lead SPEE3D globally as Kennedy deepens the company’s U.S. footprint. - SPEE3D is expected to use the transition to advance partnerships and market development across defense and aerospace customers. - The company’s next phase will likely focus on scaling its expeditionary manufacturing offerings in key regions.

The bottom line: - SPEE3D is betting that experienced defense leadership and a sharper U.S. focus will speed its global expansion.