Industrial 3D printer provider AddUp has acquired a majority stake in French additive manufacturing service provider Poly-Shape.
AddUp was created in September 2015, after Fives industrial engineering group and French tyre manufacturer Michelin launched Fives Michelin Additive Solutions. This joint venture aimed to provide an exclusive consumer experience in the metal 3D printing industry.
Recently, in June 2018, AddUp also acquired BeAM, a manufacturer of directed energy deposition (DED) machines.
Reinforcing additive manufacturing in automotive
Through its own technology and acquisitions, AddUp offers three additive technologies to its customers – DED, Power Bed Fusion (PBF), and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). The 100% acquisition of BeAM strengthened AddUp’s geographic coverage and its technology portfolio. With a majority stake in Poly-Shape, AddUp will also expand their applications portfolio, particularly within the automotive sector.
Founded in 2007 and operating numerous facilities in Europe, Poly-Shape covers the entire cycle of metal additive manufacturing from primary concept, through design, to manufacture and integration into the final product. Poly-Shape R&D experts have met the demands of customers in aerospace, aeronautical, energy, industrial, motorsport, medical and defense sectors.
The company’s automotive expertise has been built through work with a number of Formula 1 teams. AddUp’s CEO, Vincent Ferreiro, stated:
“The proven know‐how in the production of parts, in particular in the motor sports field will help us improve our support to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and demonstrate the benefits and capacities of 3D printing, especially for top‐of‐the‐range vehicles.”
Benefits to metal 3D printing
For the past 11 years, Poly-Shape’s experts have conducted research in 3D printed metal parts production. This unification of both companies will now help AddUp with the development of both machines and services. Additionally, according to Stéphane Abed, Chairman of Poly‐Shape, “Poly‐Shape will benefit from AddUp’s proven expertise in the industrialization and management of machines as well as a reinforced access to the world of motorsports thanks to Michelin’s worldwide reputation,”
“AddUp will bring additional resources to Poly‐Shape so that it can continue its development both in France and abroad.”
AddUp can now explore more opportunities to reinforce its present support services such as AddUp Start and AddUp Think.
AddUp Start offers services to launch customer’s product industrialisation. AddUp Think provides disruptive training suitable for customer’s expertise level.
This majority stake acquisition by AddUp will help it become a multi-application test platform and its customers will have access to the most recent technology for the production of their parts.
Philippe Veran, Chairman of Upperside and a founding shareholder of Poly‐Shape, stated, “I have been happy to accompany Poly‐Shape’s wonderful teams since 2007 and to have participated in the evolution of a company with a recognized know‐how. AddUp’s investment into the capital represents a true opportunity for Poly‐Shape and its employees to continue its development and growth”.
The full terms and conditions of the transaction are yet to be disclosed.
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Featured image shows AddUp announces Poly-Shape majority stake project. Image via AddUp.
