The PTH Group is a leading organisation within the orthotic and MSK sector in the United Kingdom, operating across multiple brands including Daceys, ACE Feet In Motion and Orthotix. With decades of experience in clinical care, manufacturing and distribution, the group plays a key role in delivering orthotic solutions to clinics, hospitals and healthcare professionals across the UK and Ireland.
In late 2025, The PTH Group entered into an exclusive three-year strategic partnership with LutraCAD – a major milestone for digital orthotic manufacturing in the region.
Paul Cooper – CEO & Co-Founder, The PTH Group
The Challenge before LutraCAD
As the orthotics industry rapidly evolved with the rise of digital manufacturing and 3D printing, The PTH Group set out to find a solution that could truly support both clinical and large-scale production environments. Over the course of two years, the team evaluated a wide range of technologies from around the globe – supported by insight from Welsh Government and Cardiff Council.
While many systems promised innovation, they often fell short in practice. Common challenges included inconsistent print quality, limited repeatability, high investment costs and restricted workflows. Crucially, many solutions lacked the advanced design flexibility required for complex orthotic products used in NHS clinical settings.
It became clear that adopting digital technology was not simply about innovation – it was about finding a reliable, scalable and clinically viable solution that could work across the group's diverse operations.
"Our mission has always been to deliver the highest-quality orthotic solutions at the best possible value, and LutraCAD enables us to do exactly that."
Paul Cooper – CEO & Co-Founder, The PTH Group
The Transformation
The turning point came when owners Tom and Paul Cooper travelled to Heeswijk-Dinther to meet Niels and Jordy den Otter, the founders of LutraCAD. Seeing the system in action made it immediately clear that LutraCAD offered something fundamentally different.
By implementing LutraCAD's complete digital ecosystem – including scanning, CAD design and 3D printing – The PTH Group created a seamless, end-to-end workflow across its operations. At Daceys, this transformation led to the launch of a fully integrated CADCAM Lab, equipped with advanced scanners, intuitive design software and a large-scale setup of over 30 industrial 3D printers.
The CADCAM Lab at Daceys
This new digital environment enables faster production, improved consistency and greater accuracy across a wide range of orthotic products, including insoles, footwear lasts, AFOs (negative and finished), soft EVA-like insoles, rigid polypropylene-like insoles and test footwear. Daceys – a company with a 53-year history and one of the UK's earliest adopters of 3D printing for surgical footwear – now stands at the forefront of modern orthotic manufacturing once again.
By moving to a fully digital workflow, The PTH Group significantly reduced lead times, improved production scalability and minimised material waste, while maintaining the high clinical standards required in healthcare environments.
Why The PTH Group Chose LutraCAD
After an extensive two-year evaluation, LutraCAD stood out for several key reasons. The platform combines high-quality output with an open and flexible system, allowing seamless integration with existing manufacturing processes such as milling and third-party printing.
Its intuitive, user-friendly interface ensures accessibility for the whole team, while MDR-approved materials and reliable hardware enable consistent, clinically validated production. Equally important was the affordability and scalability of the solution – making advanced digital manufacturing accessible without the high barriers typically associated with 3D printing technologies.
"LutraCAD's open, accessible and cost-effective digital ecosystem gives us the precision, repeatability and efficiency required for modern clinical manufacturing without the barriers that have restricted digital adoption in the past."
Paul Cooper – CEO & Co-Founder, The PTH Group
Expanding Impact Across the UK & Ireland
As part of the exclusive three-year strategic partnership, LutraCAD technology is now fully integrated within Daceys and ACE Feet In Motion, enhancing their clinical and manufacturing capabilities. Meanwhile, Orthotix has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of LutraCAD across the United Kingdom and Ireland from early 2026.
This means hospitals, orthotic labs, clinics and industry partners across the region can now access LutraCAD's full portfolio – including hardware, software and materials – supported by local expertise and service from Orthotix.
"Together, we have the opportunity to bring genuinely accessible, affordable and high-quality digital solutions to every corner of the UK and Ireland."
Niels den Otter – CEO & Co-Founder, LutraCAD
Results & Key Benefits
Since implementing LutraCAD, The PTH Group has experienced significant improvements across the board:
- Improved Efficiency: A fully digital workflow enables faster design and production, significantly reducing turnaround times across all brands.
- Higher Accuracy & Consistency: Advanced software and industrial printing technologies ensure repeatable, high-quality results across every orthotic product.
- Scalability in Production: With over 30 printers in the Daceys CADCAM Lab, the group can scale manufacturing operations without compromising quality.
- Reduced Waste: Optimised digital processes lead to more efficient material usage and a lower environmental footprint.
- Greater Accessibility: As the exclusive UK & Ireland distributor, Orthotix now makes LutraCAD's technology available to the wider orthotic and MSK community.
Conclusion
The partnership between The PTH Group and LutraCAD represents a major step forward in the digital transformation of orthotic manufacturing in the UK and Ireland. By combining clinical expertise with a powerful and accessible digital workflow, The PTH Group is now better equipped to deliver high-quality orthotic solutions at scale – while supporting the wider industry in adopting modern, future-proof technologies.
This is not just a transformation for one organisation. Through Orthotix's distribution role, the impact of this partnership will be felt by clinics, orthotic houses and NHS services across the entire region.
More info?
At LutraCAD, we are specialised in insole, shoe last, AFO and midsole design, as well as complete digital workflows including scanning and production. If you would like to learn more about how LutraCAD can support your organisation, or if you are based in the UK or Ireland and would like to get in touch with our exclusive distribution partner Orthotix, feel free to reach out.
