Growth in orders at SLM Solutions exceeds expectations
January 16, 2015
SLM Solutions Group AG, leading provider of metal Additive Manufacturing technology based in Lübeck, Germany, has stated that 2014 exceeded all expectations for the intake of new orders. As of December 17 a total of 53 machines ordered reflected 112% growth over the previous year’s level of 25 machines. Additionally, North America alone saw a 170% increase in orders over 2013.
CFO Uwe Bögershausen stated, “As expected, we received most of our orders in the third and fourth quarters. This is not only connected with our customers’ budget planning, but also with the fact that EuroMold is held in November. We were able to conclude additional business with our customers there, allowing us to once again accelerate our growth rate before the end of 2014.”
At EuroMold 2014, which took place in Frankfurt between November 24 and 28, SLM Solutions received its largest individual order in its corporate history to date, among other orders. The Additive Manufacturing company FIT Fruth Innovative Technologies GmbH ordered five SLM®500HL systems, SLM Solutions’ flagship machine.
FIT Fruth uses SLM Solutions’ machines for the serial production of transmission components for the automotive sector. “The fact that a contract manufacturer such as FIT Fruth awards us such a large order is genuine proof of their confidence in our technology,” added Bögershausen. “EuroMold played a decisive role in helping us to already exceed our full-year targets by mid-December.”
CEO Dr. Markus Rechlin also expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Firstly, we are observing that our industrial customers are increasingly placing orders for several machines in order to deploy them in the direct manufacturing of complex components. We received a total of seven so-called multi-machine orders – compared with not a single one last year. Secondly, we are seeing repeat purchases in North America, as well as orders from new customers in growth regions such as Japan. I am particularly pleased that our flagship SLM 500HL is being ordered increasingly frequently. Thanks to its multi-laser technology, this is the most productive laser melting system on the market – and clearly, the news is spreading.”
Up to December 17 a total of eight SLM® 125HL systems had been ordered in the course of the year, as well as 35 SLM® 280HL machines, and 10 units of the largest machine; the SLM 500HL.
Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter
Useful links: News | Articles | Introduction to metal Additive Manufacturing
