Grabbing everyone’s attention, 3D has entered almost every sector’s applicaton areas. That’s why 3D market is seperated into different segments and these segments develop in different ways. Sales figures of 3D companies guide us about the overall development of the segments. As SLM Solutions’ sales figures show metal printing is currently the most promising one.
SLM Solutions Group AG is a Lübeck-based provider of metal 3D printing systems who have been particularly successful over the last few years. Their 3D printers are increasingly finding their way into the hands of partners from aerospace, energy, healthcare and automotive industries. They even made a collaboration with Audi in May.
While the company received 40 machine orders in the first half of 2015, this rose by 40 percent to 56 in 2016 including several show models that were sold at a lower rate. Other figures are equally optimistic. Total operating revenue climbed to a massive €41,7 million – 66 percent more than the year before. “Viewed on an intra-year basis, our laser melting systems business regularly shows a distinct seasonal pattern. Also when assessing our current half-year figures, it should be borne in mind that in selling some older demonstration machines to an established customer, we allowed some discounts that had a one-off impact on profitability. With our new, even more user-friendly version of the SLM 500HL, we are very well positioned in the market,” said CFO Uwe Bögershausen.
SLM Solutions is growing very strongly and the future looks bright. “The continuing improvement in profitability will depend on the continuation of growth. As a metals specialist we find ourselves in the most dynamic segment of the additive manufacturing market, and we are playing our part in breaking down the barriers that currently obstruct wide-ranging application,” Management Board chairman Dr. Markus Rechlin argued. In fact, the company is also taking steps towards becoming an integrated systems supplier through joint ventures on the software and consumables fronts. It’s clear that SLM Solutions is becoming a metal 3D printing force to be reckoned with.