Award-winning composite and metal 3D printer provider Markforged has announced the opening of a 25,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Billerica, Massachusetts. The new site aims to support the company’s material production, which increased by 81% over the past year.
“With the significant growth of Markforged printers in the field, the consumption of our materials continues to increase at a rapid pace,” explained Matt Gannon, Vice President of Operations at Markforged.
“Our new facility gives us the ability to meet the demands of today and operations for years to come. Billerica was the perfect choice for our expansion. The region is a hotbed for manufacturing and technology companies, and is strategically located with access to key partners and expertise to support the team.”
Meeting the “exploded demand”
Earlier this year, Markforged raised a further $82 million in Series D funding to “help accelerate its product roadmap.” Following this, the company established its first European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. This was then followed by a new R&D Innovation Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which supports its AI technology platform named Blacksmith. As the company’s third expansion of the year, the Billerica facility will enable more than double its production capacity.
As stated by Markforged, “demand has exploded for Markforged materials and 3D printers” as a result of its prior expansions. The new site currently hosts 35 employees and aims to add another 25 hires in the near future. Its primary aim is to support the fabrication of all Markforged materials used by companies in the aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. This includes the newly released Onyx FR 3D printing nylon, a flame-retardant composite material, and Inconel 625 a nickel-based superalloy, compatible with the Metal X.
Beyond facility expansion
In the midst of the company’s physical expansions, Marforged’s technology has been an integral part of improving productivity for its customers. In a recent case, the Mark Two 3D printer has reduced the turnaround time, and costs of a global energy services company, by creating 53 unique parts.
Moreover, Markforged has also partnered with Carahsoft Technology Corp, a government IT solutions provider, introducing the company’s systems into the public sector. Carahsoft is providing the OEM’s industrial additive manufacturing technologies to the U.S. Government, acting as Markforged’s master government aggregator and distributor.
Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter for the latest news in additive manufacturing. You can also keep connected by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.
Looking for a career in additive manufacturing? Visit 3D Printing Jobs for a selection of roles in the industry.
Featured image shows the interior of the Billerica, Massachusetts facility. Photo via Markforged.
