Do Shapeways and voxeljet’s Announcements Indicate Growing Momentum in AM?
2024 has not been the most straightforward one for additive manufacturing. While we have seen incredible applications and innovations throughout the year, there have also been a number of economic difficulties. Notably, we have seen companies like KIMYA closing and layoffs over the course of the year. Even at Formnext, there seemed to be an air of stagnation present. But over the past week, news from Shapeways and Voxeljet shows that the AM market is not done surprising us just yet.
Starting with Shapeways, the news that the pioneer in digital manufacturing was officially closing its doors was perhaps not surprising, but was still met with sadness in the industry. Now it seems that there is some hope. A press release from the company has announced that it will be returning to the global market, albeit with a “new” management team. Why the quotation marks? Well, though the management is technically new, it will be made up of two of the two original cofounders, who left in 2012 and 2014, as well as others who were already with the company.
The Eindhoven factory at its opening (photo credits: Silas Pelsmaeker/Shapeways)
More specifically, Marleen Vogelaar, who cofounded the company in 2007 and left in 2014, and Robert Schouwenburg, the other cofounder who left in 2012, will be joining Jules Witte, Tiago São José and Job van de Laar who stayed with the company in Eindhoven. The press releases note that significant structural and business model changes under previous leadership were what led to Shapeways’ bankruptcy in July. For that reason, the profitable Eindhoven factory management chose to join forces with two of the original founders to reset the company’s trajectory.
New Shapeways CEO Marleen Vogelaar explains, “When I helped to launch Shapeways in 2008 it was at the forefront of democratizing access to digital manufacturing. The new management team believes there is a ‘next chapter’ to be written in the Shapeways story, one that includes learning from the past and building a pragmatic, financially sustainable and operationally stable company that continues to provide exceptional service to our users.”
Right now it seems that Shapeways will continue to operate from Eindhoven, The Netherlands as a digital manufacturing engine for the global customer base. The company plans to continue to offer a wide range of 3D printing technologies, materials and post-processing options with standard and custom quality control options. However, the marketplace and shops will not be able to be restarted because of data lost during the bankruptcy. Additionally, while all intellectual property owned by the defunct entity was bought by the management team, User IP could not be sold as it is owned by users.
voxeljet Signs Agreement With Anzu
Similarly to Shapeways, voxeljet has also had a tumultuous year, withdrawing from the NASDAQ Stock Exchange and SEC in cost reduction efforts back in March. Now there seems to be hope for the promising if struggling spin-off from Technical University Munich (TUM). US technology investor Anzu Partners has signed an agreement to acquire the company for a value of approximately €20,033,000. The purchase price, subject to customary adjustments and closing conditions, will be paid through an assumption of voxeljet’s liabilities as well as a cash payment of approximately €1.7m.
“For more than 25 years our incredibly talented teams have created some of the most powerful industrial 3D-printers,” said Rudolf Franz, CEO, voxeljet AG. “The combination of voxeljet’s world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Anzu’s technology network, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to investing in the next generation of breakthroughs will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry.”
voxeljet’s solutions were a major draw for Anzu (photo credits: voxeljet)
Anzu has announced that it is acquiring the operating business with a strong commitment to existing customers, suppliers and employees. It seems that Anzu was attracted to the potential for voxeljet to accelerate industrial-scale 3D printing with it technology that includes everything from the largest 3D printer in the world to features that enable fine details. The company will be run by Anzu’s managing partner, Whitney Haring-Smith, who will be the chair of the Board of Directors and the current CEO, Rudolf Franz, leading the post-transaction business. The transaction aims to provide a strong partner to voxeljet to support further growth and financing of the business.
Still, as part of the agreement, voxeljet will have a “go-shop” period expiring on January 12, 2025. This permits voxeljet to actively solicite and consider alternative acquisition proposals from third parties. The press release notes that in the event of a superior proposal, voxeljet also has the right to terminate the purchase agreement. We will see how it evolves but in any case it is certainly good news that Shapeways is finding its way back and voxeljet will avoid any financial difficulties. Perhaps a sign for a sunnier 2025 for the market.
What do you think about the news about Shapeways and voxeljet? What effects may they have on the wider additive manufacturing industry? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
