Nikon reports 77% growth in Digital Manufacturing revenue as metal AM machine sales increase
Nikon Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has reported a 77.2% increase in revenue for its Digital Manufacturing business during the six months ended September 30, 2026. Revenue reached approximately $109.4 million (¥17.4 billion), up from approximately $61.6 million (¥9.8 billion) in the same period last year, driven by increased sales of large-format metal Additive Manufacturing machines from Nikon SLM Solutions and favourable foreign exchange movements.
According to Nikon’s financial results, published on November 5, the Digital Manufacturing business also significantly reduced its operating loss, from approximately $56 million (¥8.9 billion) to approximately $13.8 million (¥2.2 billion). The improvement was attributed to higher sales, a reduction of around $11.3 million (¥1.8 billion) in amortisation of intangible assets and the benefits of restructuring measures implemented during the previous financial year.
Nikon reported that orders for large-format metal AM machines reached a record quarterly high in the second quarter, with demand coming from both new and repeat customers. The company stated that increased sales were contributing to improved profitability, although its Digital Manufacturing business remains loss-making.
The company also confirmed plans to introduce a next-generation, semi-large-format metal AM machine in the near future. The new model will combine Nikon SLM Solutions’ metal AM technology with Nikon’s optical technology. No further technical details or launch date were provided in the financial presentation.
The results follow the recent announcement of changes to the leadership of Nikon SLM Solutions, with CEO Sam O’Leary set to move to the company’s Supervisory Board during its fourth financial quarter. Jan-Niklas Thielmann, currently Chief Financial and Administration Officer, and Simone Castellani, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer, have been appointed co-presidents and will take responsibility for day-to-day operations.
For the financial year ending March 31, 2027, Nikon has maintained its Digital Manufacturing revenue forecast at approximately $213.8 million (¥34 billion), representing an increase of 21.4% compared with approximately $176.1 million (¥28 billion) recorded in the previous year. The segment is expected to report a full-year operating loss of approximately $25.2 million (¥4 billion), compared with approximately $667.9 million (¥106.2 billion) in the previous financial year, which included impairment charges of approximately $569.8 million (¥90.6 billion).
Across Nikon Corporation as a whole, revenue for the six-month period increased 6.9% to approximately $2.10 billion (¥334.6 billion), compared with approximately $1.97 billion (¥312.9 billion) a year earlier. Operating profit reached approximately $56 million (¥8.9 billion), reversing an operating loss of approximately $30.2 million (¥4.8 billion) in the corresponding period last year.
Nikon has forecast full-year group revenue of approximately $4.54 billion (¥722 billion), with operating profit expected to reach approximately $103.8 million (¥16.5 billion).
