Greg Morris to receive AMUG Innovators Award
September 29, 2023
The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has announced that Greg Morris, CTO of Zeda, Inc., Fremont, California, USA, is the recipient of its Innovators Award. This award is given to individuals who have developed innovative practices that have advanced the Additive Manufacturing industry.
The Innovators Award will be presented at the 2024 AMUG Conference. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Chuck Hull, Scott Crump, Carl Deckard, Fried Vancraen, Gideon Levy, Hans Langer, Andy Christensen, and Diana Kaslisz.
Although Morris has been involved in various aspects of Additive Manufacturing for the past thirty years, it was his contribution to metal Additive Manufacturing that played a pivotal role in his selection for the award. As an early adopter, Morris spearheaded the research, development, and improvement of this technology, all while generously sharing his expertise with the Additive Manufacturing community.
Tim Bell, AMUG’s Director of Sponsors & Exhibitors and a former colleague of Morris’, stated, “Greg is a visionary who saw the potential for additive metals and took the calculated risk of introducing metal [Powder Bed Fusion] to North America. His early adopter role paved the way for those who followed and now use metal PBF to create innovative products.”
Bell continued, “As a leader, Greg gave his team the freedom to experiment and push the boundaries. This, in turn, led to suppliers being eager to work with Morris Technologies to make the Additive Manufacturing systems better, more reliable, and more capable of achieving serial production.”
Shannon VanDeren, AMUG President, added, “Greg is continually in a mode of coaching. He genuinely wants to see not only the industry grow but also the individuals working within it. He is willing to share within our industry to create more thought-provoking processes and successful results.”
Morris said, “I am honoured and humbled to accept the AMUG Innovators Award. As most everyone would agree, there are usually many people that team together in any endeavour to create success. I am certainly in that category and gratefully accept this award on behalf of all the talented and creative colleagues I have had the fortune to work with who have been equal contributors in advancing these technologies.”
VanDeren stated, “Greg’s humility is admirable. Many of us know of his success, yet he is the last of us to want to discuss those achievements. He would rather focus on what he wants to learn and impact.”
After working in his family’s sixth-generation steel distributorship, which was divested, Morris, his brother Wendell and mutual friend Bill Noack founded Morris Technologies Inc (MTI) in 1994. During this period, it was common for MTI to provide polymer Additive Manufacturing services, with a focus on prototypes and related low-volume applications.
In 2003, MTI expanded into metal Additive Manufacturing by introducing the first metal machine to North America. Over the subsequent years, MTI gained recognition for its pioneering work and advancements in the field of metals. To broaden its range of services, MTI established a sister company called Rapid Quality Manufacturing (RQM), which specialised in production applications with metal additive Additive Manufacturing. Additionally, MTI invested in a joint venture that led to the creation of MicroTek Finishing, a company dedicated to the post-processing of metal components.
The next chapter in Morris’ career took place at GE. In 2012, GE Aviation acquired MTI and RQM, and Morris took on the role of AM technologies leader. In 2016, GE established GE Additive, and Morris served as an advisor, focusing on AM strategies and special projects.
In 2018, Morris retired to prioritise spending time with his family and working on personal projects. During his retirement, Morris and former colleagues from MTI discussed the possibility of starting an advanced manufacturing business. This discussion eventually led to the establishment of Vertex Manufacturing, which offers advanced manufacturing services. Morris played a role as an investor and served as the CEO.
After eighteen months, PrinterPrezz, a start-up focused on medical devices, acquired Vertex to serve as its manufacturing arm. The merged companies now operate under the name Zeda, Inc. Morris currently holds the position of CTO, although in a part-time capacity to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, he also serves on advisory boards and volunteers with charitable organisations.
On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Morris will participate in a conversational interview at the AMUG Conference. This interview, part of the Innovators Showcase, aims to allow attendees to get to know the person behind the innovations and gain insights from his experiences. Morris will answer questions asked by the host and conference attendees in an intimate conversation format, creating a unique experience for those attending the AMUG Conference.
