ExOne and voxeljet Unite Under ExOne Global Holdings
Anzu Partners, a U.S.-based investment firm specializing in industrial and life science technologies, has announced the launch of ExOne Global Holdings. The move unites two of the biggest names in industrial 3D printing, ExOne and voxeljet, under one roof. Together, they combine decades of experience in binder jetting and large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM). Their goal is to drive new growth and accelerate innovation across key industries such as automotive, aerospace, and metal casting.
Eric Bader, currently Managing Director of ExOne GmbH, will step into the role of CEO of ExOne Global Holdings. Rudolf Franz, CEO of voxeljet AG, will join the Board of Directors after finishing his current role at the end of the year. The board will be chaired by Whitney Haring-Smith, Managing Partner at Anzu Partners, who will help guide the company’s strategic direction. These leadership changes mark an exciting new chapter for both companies and for the entire additive manufacturing community.
Rudolf Franz, Whitney Haring-Smith, and Eric Bader smile in front of Exone building Photo credits: Exone
A New Chapter for Industrial Binder Jetting and LFAM
The creation of ExOne Global Holdings follows a period of significant change for ExOne. In 2021, the company was acquired by Desktop Metal in a deal valued at approximately $561 million USD, with ExOne continuing to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. At the time, the acquisition brought together two leaders in binder jetting, merging Desktop Metal’s push for AM 2.0 mass production with ExOne’s decades of expertise in digital sand casting and industrial applications. Now, under Anzu Partners, ExOne is entering yet another phase of transformation that signals a broader realignment in the additive manufacturing landscape.
The merger will help the group expand its global presence and offer even stronger support to customers around the world. From Germany and the United States to Japan, China, and India, teams will now be able to provide more localized service, faster response times, and a wider range of 3D printing solutions. Together, ExOne and voxeljet have already installed more than 500 industrial 3D printers worldwide.
Both companies have spent years pushing the limits of sand-based 3D printing. ExOne is known for its expertise in digital sand casting, using binder jetting across ceramic sands to create complex molds and cores quickly and without traditional tooling. voxeljet brings complementary strengths in large-format industrial 3D printing and ceramic applications, along with extensive experience helping foundries produce intricate sand molds for metal casting.
Together under Anzu Partners, they plan to accelerate materials research, expand joint R&D programs, and open new cross-selling opportunities worldwide. The partnership builds on voxeljet’s December 2024 agreement with Anzu Partners, which included a deal to acquire the company for approximately €20,033,000. This move created a foundation for scaling voxeljet’s industrial printing systems and services alongside ExOne’s well-established casting and tooling infrastructure.
As the new CEO of ExOne Global Holdings, Eric Bader explained the goal is to “leverage our combined strengths, preserve reliability, and drive new growth.” The merger also reflects a broader shift in the additive manufacturing world. More companies are choosing to collaborate and consolidate to stay competitive. It shows how established players are coming together to push innovation forward and build a stronger, more resilient future for the rapidly evolving 3D printing market.
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*Cover photo credits: voxeljet
