On September 19, 018, industrial 3D printer supplier AddUp has acquired a majority stake in French additive manufacturing service provider Poly-Shape.
Addup was founded in September 2015 after a joint venture between French Industrial Engineering Group and French tire manufacturer Michelin, which aims to provide an exclusive consumer experience for the metal 3D printing industry.
Most recently, in June 2018, AddUp also acquired BeAM, a manufacturer of directed energy deposition (DED) machines.
Through its own technology and acquisitions, AddUp offers its customers three additive manufacturing technologies: DED, Power Bed Fusion (PBF), and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). The 100% acquisition of BeAM enhances AddUp's geographic coverage and technology portfolio. With a majority stake in Poly-Shape, AddUp will also expand its application portfolio, especially in the automotive sector.
Established in 2007, Poly-Shape has a number of plants in Europe, covering the entire metal additive manufacturing cycle from elementary concepts to design, to manufacturing and integration to the final product. Poly-Shape R & D experts meet the needs of customers in the aerospace, aerospace, energy, industrial, racing, medical and defense sectors.
The company's automotive expertise is built by working with some F1 teams. AddUp CEO Vincent Ferreiro said: "Especially the experience of producing parts in the field of automotive sports will help us improve our support for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and demonstrate the benefits and capabilities of 3D printing."
2016 Optimized Additive Manufacturing of Bicycle Rods through Poly-Shape
Over the past 11 years, Poly-Shape experts have conducted research on the production of 3D printed metal parts. The unification of these two companies will now help AddUp develop machines and services. In addition, Poly-Shape Chairman Stéphane Abed said, "Poly-Shape will benefit from AddUp's proven expertise in machine industrialization and management, as well as strengthening Michelin's global reputation to strengthen its contacts in the racing world."
"AddUp will provide Poly-Shap with additional resources to continue its development in France and abroad."