Mergers and acquisitions are not exactly a new phenomenon in the 3D printing industry. Indeed some companies have been at it for years and are still continuing along that path. And, since the original proliferation of 3D printer manufacturers commercializing RepRap technology and the subsequent escalation in numbers of 3D printing companies in various guises many have spoken of impending consolidation of the entire industry. While new 3D printing companies (and crowd funding campaigns) continue to emerge almost daily, true consolidation seems a way away yet, but mergers and acquisitions continue to take place.
The latest comes in news from Forecast 3D, an industrial 3D printing and short-run manufacturing service provider based in Carlsbad, California with a 20 year history. The company has announced today that it has acquired the ‘key assets and technical expertise from GROWit’, a 3D printing service provider that specialized in 3D printing with Stratasys’ Objet PolyJet technologies. Forecast 3D is no stranger to this technology base, indeed the acquisition of GROWit’s three PolyJet 3D printers, which includes a Connex 3, will increase the company’s capacity and complement its existing technology base.
Along with the machines, Forecast 3D is also acquiring technical expertise, which suggests to me that at least some of GROWit’s staff are moving (within California) over to Forecast 3D. GROWit’s founder and CEO however, is not going. The major factor contributing to this deal is that he — David Gurrola — recently accepted a technical position at Stratasys (SSYS) and therefore chose to sell GROWit’s equipment and expertise.
He stated: “We are very happy to have found a company whom we are confident can continue to support our customer base at the high level that we have come to be known for as well as be able to offer clients some new Additive Manufacturing processes and technologies.”
From Forecast 3D, Donovan Weber, COO, said: “The addition of the PolyJet technology, together with the expertise of GROWit, furthers our vision of being able to provide our customers with the best Additive Manufacturing option for their particular project. We believe this solidifies Forecast 3D as the premier independent choice for enterprise 3D Printing solutions.”
