On demand manufacturing

3T Additive Manufacturing acquired by BEAMIT as part of global expansion plan

The BEAMIT Group has announced the acquisition of UK-based 3D printing service bureau 3T Additive Manufacturing from parent company AM GLOBAL.

According to the Italy-based BEAMIT, the deal is the first step in the company’s roadmap for global expansion. With a series production capacity of over 10,000 high-end components per year, BEAMIT is already one of the largest additive manufacturing service providers in Europe, and now intends to extend its capabilities to other regions.

Mauro Antolotti, President of the BEAMIT Group, states, “BEAMIT has spent some time looking into new ways to leverage synergies, and the 3T Additive Manufacturing acquisition adds great value and expertise into this leap forward we are making. We are now more well equipped than ever, having consolidated and strengthened our AM service offering, established a footprint in the UK and prepared for further expansion and growth with our customers in the coming years.”

3T Additive Manufacturing HQ. Photo via 3T Additive Manufacturing.
3T Additive Manufacturing HQ in Newbury, UK. Photo via 3T Additive Manufacturing.

24 years of metal 3D printing with BEAMIT

The BEAMIT Group has been operating in metal 3D printing for over 24 years, and has 48 industrial additive manufacturing systems at its disposal. The company also claims to run the largest 3D printing hub in Europe, with over 100 employees. Having gained several quality certifications such as IATF16949, AS9100, and NADCAP, the company serves a whole host of demanding industries including aerospace, motorsport, and even energy.

Back in 2019, 3D printing materials specialist Sandvik Additive Manufacturing acquired a significant stake in BEAMIT, forming a strong partnership with expertise across the entire additive manufacturing workflow. Just a year later, the partners also acquired 3D printing service provider ZARE, expanding their reach in Italy.

Kristian Egeberg, President of Sandvik Additive Manufacturing, adds, “The AM sector is developing fast and there is a need for dedicated AM partners with specialist skills across the AM value chain, not to mention the resources required to help industrial customers develop and launch their AM programs. With our investment in the BEAMIT Group – now also including 3T Additive Manufacturing – we look forward to helping even more industrial customers create value through the application of AM.”

The inside of a 3T 3D printing facility. Photo via 3T Additive Manufacturing.
The inside of a 3T 3D printing facility. Photo via 3T Additive Manufacturing.

What will 3T Additive Manufacturing bring to the table?

Also a long-time veteran in the metal 3D printing space, 3T Additive Manufacturing has been serving customers from its headquarters in Newbury, UK, for over 20 years. Much like BEAMIT, the company holds a variety of coveted quality certifications such as AS9100 for aerospace and ISO 13485 for medical. It is an approved supplier for serially produced parts by OEMs across Europe, the US, and Japan.

As part of the acquisition, 3T Additive Manufacturing will also be taking part in a joint group R&D program. The project partners operating under the BEAMIT Group will work to develop new 3D printing-related processes in advanced heat treatment, non-destructive testing, and post-processing.

Daniel Lichtenstein, Managing Director of AM GLOBAL, concludes, “3T Additive Manufacturing has seen a tremendous transformation over the last 12 months and continues to be at the forefront of AM technology. AM GLOBAL is now in the proud position to hand over 3T Additive Manufacturing to the BEAMIT Group and Sandvik, to offer its customers metal 3D printing services on a global scale.”

An aluminum antenna cluster 3D printed by 3T. Photo via 3T Additive Manufacturing.
An aluminum antenna cluster 3D printed by 3T. Photo via 3T Additive Manufacturing.

Expanding 3D printing service bureaus

BEAMIT isn’t the only service provider with plans for growth. Earlier this year, the Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), an upcoming 3D printing service bureau based in Silverstone Park, announced that it would be the first company to offer silicone additive manufacturing (SAM) in the UK. Developed by ETH Zurich spin-off Spectroplast, the proprietary process is expected to have major implications for the production of personalized medical devices, as it works with 100% biocompatible silicone as a raw material.

Elsewhere, 3DPRINTUK has previously invested in an HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 5210 3D printer as part of a £1 million expansion plan to enhance its 3D printing capabilities in London. Founded in 2011, the service bureau currently specializes in low volume polymer production via MJF and selective laser sintering (SLS).

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Featured image shows an aluminum antenna cluster 3D printed by 3T. Photo via 3T Additive Manufacturing.