Stratasys, a leading company in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry, has been at the centre of attention lately due to multiple takeover offers from Nano Dimension and 3D Systems.
Additionally, the company has initiated a merger with Desktop Metal, known for its numerous acquisitions in recent years.
These developments reflect the industry’s ongoing effort to consolidate and create stronger AM companies that can provide customers with more value.
Stratasys: Consolidating the AM industry
Consolidation in the AM industry is crucial for its growth and to meet production requirements in terms of part quality, cost, and workflow automation.
Stratasys CEO Yoav Zeif emphasizes that these goals are urgent and necessary for the industry’s growth and to address the challenges posed by traditional manufacturing methods.
Mr Zeif assures that every move made by Stratasys is part of a carefully planned strategy aimed at delivering value to customers.
The company recognizes the need to overcome the current limitations of AM,
including cost per part, part quality,
end-to-end workflows, and company stability.
Stratasys has taken steps to address these challenges,
such as implementing cost-effective AM solutions for large batch part production and acquiring quality assurance software company Riven to improve part quality.
The merger with Desktop Metal aligns with Stratasys’ strategy to provide end-to-end solutions and scale its business.
Zeif explains that the merger resulted from the complementarity between the two companies’ portfolios, along with Desktop Metal’s reputation for innovation, particularly in metal AM. Stratasys believes that Desktop Metal’s technologies are well-suited to accelerate its business growth in both polymer and metal production.
Desktop Metal faced challenges in realizing its AM 2.0 vision, but Zeif dismisses negative hype and emphasizes the stability and value of the technologies acquired by Desktop Metal.
The companies see great synergies between their operations, including the combination of Stratasys’ jetting expertise and Desktop Metal’s requirements for high-speed metal production.
Integration and consolidation will undoubtedly pose challenges, but Stratasys and Desktop Metal are committed to realizing the potential of AM in manufacturing.
The companies aim to create a streamlined and solid organization that can drive the industry’s maturity through a comprehensive global structure.
Conclusion
Stratasys has no intention of being acquired by another company, although the integration process’s future results are uncertain. The company’s focus is on delivering on its promises and providing innovative solutions to the manufacturing industry.
Overall, the merger between Stratasys and Desktop Metal signifies a significant step toward consolidation and advancement in the AM industry.
The companies are driven by the shared goal of solving manufacturing challenges and delivering value to customers. With their combined expertise and resources, they are poised to shape the future of additive manufacturing.
