In a record breaking deal, German metal additive manufacturing company SLM Solutions has secured a major order of 70 SLM280 metal 3D printers from an unnamed customer in Asia. The order makes it the second time this year that SLM Solutions has broken its record for the largest contract in the company’s history, toppling the €43 million contract from September by 20 machines.
The order follows the successful placement a €58.5 million convertible bond.
The total sales volume has been valued by the company at between €31 million and €48 million, putting SLM Solutions on track to reaching a total sales revenue of €500 million by the year 2022.
Renewed effort in research & development
SLM Solutions latest machine, the SLM800, is due to be unveiled at formnext 2017. A product of extensive research and development efforts, the company will be contributing any funds raised from the bond placing to further exploration of R&D, “to secure the company’s technology leadership in the metal-based additive manufacturing systems area, among other earmarked purposes.”
By making this commitment to R&D efforts, the company hopes to remain “close to the customer” as Uwe Bögershausen, member of the Management Board of SLM Solutions Group AG, explains, “From our perspective, being close to the customer is indispensable. SLM Solutions’ aim is to establish long-term strategic partnerships with customers.”
SLM Solutions is the only independent German producer of metal-based additive manufacturing systems that can finance itself through the capital market to reliably realise strong growth and implement development projects with customers.
Ushering in the future of toolmaking
Delivery of the SLM280 order is expected to be fulfilled between 2017 and 2020, after which the machine will be deployed in toolmaking applications, such as those that have gained popularity in the automotive industry.
Additional SLM280 sales have been secured across the USA, Asia and Europe. As Management Board member Henner Schöneborn maintains, “We detect strong interest in our systems – and not only from Asia but also from our other core markets and regions, and we look forward to the numerous meetings we have planned with customers at the forthcoming formnext.”
In November 3D Printing Industry will be reporting live from formnext 2017. To stay up to date with all the latest news and releases, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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Featured image shows inside the build chamber of an SLM Solutions SLM280 2.0 machine. Image via SLM Solutions
