“We are poised to not only benefit from this movement as a customer, but spearhead it as a leading supplier,” said Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE. “Additive manufacturing will drive new levels of productivity for GE, our customers, and for the industrial world.”
GE expects to grow its additive business to £750million by 2020 and also expects £2.25-3.75bn of product cost-out across the company over the next ten years.
Arcam invented the electron beam melting machine for metal-based additive manufacturing, and also produces advanced metal powders. Its customers are in the aerospace and healthcare industries.
SLM Solutions produces laser machines for metal-based additive manufacturing with customers in the aerospace, energy, healthcare, and automotive industries.
The two companies will bolster GE’s existing material science and additive manufacturing capabilities. GE has invested approximately £1.1bn in manufacturing and additive technologies since 2010. This investment has enabled the company to develop additive applications across six GE businesses, create new services applications across the company, and earn 346 patents in powder metals alone.
Immelt added: “Arcam and SLM Solutions bring two different, complementary additive technology modalities as individual anchors for a new GE additive equipment business to be plugged into GE’s resources and experience as leading practitioners of additive manufacturing.”
GE will maintain the headquarters locations and key operating locations of Arcam and SLM, as well as retain their management teams and employees. They will also complement the technologies brought on by other key acquisitions such as Morris Technologies and Rapid Quality Manufacturing.
