Additive-manufacturing specialist 3D Systems will sell its On Demand Manufacturing business to a private-equity firm for $82 million, a move it characterized as part of a continuing effort to focus on offering “enabling additive manufacturing solutions for applications in growing markets that demand high-reliability products.”
The sale is subject to customary closing conditions and certain closing adjustments.
The buyer is Trilantic North America, in partnership with Ziad Abou, a former senior vice president and general manager of 3D Systems, and other individual investors. Abou will be CEO of the business, to be rebranded as QuickParts.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and certain closing adjustments.
On Demand Manufacturing/QuickParts business offers additive and subtractive manufacturing services for rapid prototyping, functional prototyping, low-volume production, and appearance models, from customers’ CAD programs or projects. The business has approximately 200 3D printers available at locations in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Seattle, Le Mans, France, Pinerolo, Italy, and High Wycombe, England.
“The On Demand Manufacturing business, with its focus on the rapid production of components using a multitude of digital manufacturing methods, is a solid business that has a very bright future under the stewardship of Trilantic North America,” according to 3D Systems’ president and CEO, Dr. Jeffrey Graves. “Our sole reason for divestiture is to enable our entire focus and investment priorities to be on additive manufacturing (AM), where we play a unique leadership role in enabling industrial-scale AM adoption across a range of exciting end markets.”
In August 2020 3D Systems announced an “aggressive four-phase initiative to reorganize, restructure, divest non-core assets, and invest for accelerated growth.” Subsequently, the group reorganized to focus on two market segments, industrial and health care.
Late last year 3D Systems sold its Cimatron Ltd. CAD/CAM software and GibbsCAM® CNC programming software businesses to Battery Ventures.
In May, 3D Systems agreed to acquire Additive Works, a simulation software developer focused on optimization and automation of AM print preparation and workflow; and Allevi Inc., a developer of bioprinting technologies, meaning 3D bioprinters, biomaterials, and specialized laboratory software.
Graves noted that 3D Systems will continue to collaborate with Quickparts as it relates to additive manufacturing, and that proceeds from the sale will “accelerate our investments for growth in our core additive manufacturing capabilities”.
"We are pleased 3D Systems has chosen Trilantic North America to guide its on-demand 3D printing and custom manufacturing business through its next growth chapter. We are also incredibly excited to partner with Ziad and the QuickParts team to achieve their strategic objectives and to drive continued expansion and increased customer success," stated Trilantic partner Charles Fleischmann. "The investment in QuickParts underscores Trilantic North America’s commitment and belief that Industry 4.0 can bring increased sustainability, decreased production time and costs, and enhanced business digitalization throughout the supply chain."
