GPI Prototype & Manufacturing Services an additive manufacturing company specializing on direct metal laser sintering technology has been acquired by CORE Industrial Partners an investment specialist for middle-level manufacturing companies. The merger was done through FATHOM a branch of CORE that offers 3D printing services and has over 100 large scale systems in five facilities.
The FATHOM CEO, Ryan Martin noted that GPI’s capacity to utilize metallic 3D printing while hastening both design cycles and marketing strategies will improve FATHOM’s current 3D pursuits and existing customer manifesto. The two firms are looking forward to complementing their expertise while offering exceptional customer experiences to their clients.
DMLS Technology
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) utilizes powder bed fusion and is the core of GPI’s business model. The company has employed the technology for the production of parts utilizing aluminum, steel, titanium, Inconel, and cobalt chrome powders. They have worked with several Fortune 500 firms in various fields and are IS0 9001, ISO 13485 and AS9100D certified.
According to Matthew Puglisi a Partner at CORE, DMLS is a fast-growing 3D printing technology and the merger will help FATHOM be a leader of on-demand manufacturing. GPI being an expert in metal additive manufacturing will greatly enhance FATHOM’s pursuits.
The Future of On-Demand Manufacturing
CORE is charting a clear growth path based on their recent strategic moves. In 2018, CORE took over Midwest Composite Technologies a 3D printing firm and later acquired ICOmold which specializes in digital manufacturing and later FATHOM in 2019. The acquisition of GPI now makes the 4 companies trade under the FATHOM brand.
In July, CORE obtained a sheet metal engineering company and a photochemical etching expert in their bid to establish a multi-technology and on demand printing empire. Product inventors are moving from having to come up with their own supply chains when developing prototypes. They work with more established firms to handle the manufacturing cycle that is increasingly getting digitized. This has seen the production of components nearer to users or sale regions a fact that helps lower logistical expenses while making it easier for new entrants.
This business model has been proved to work based on the Q2 financials for this year. For instance, Protolab’s company earnings were stable with the injection moulding division reporting a 4.3% revenue increase while other machine makers suffered 20% -30% losses. Voodoo Manufacturing closed doors due to COVID-19 and less diversified investment portfolio.
