SLM Solutions User Group
Stefan Ritt and Dr Markus Rechlin on stage introducing the gathered crowd to the SLM Solutions User Group Meeting.
German leader in metal additive manufacturing SLM Solutions has made its intentions clear as to its plans to file an initial public offering (IPO).
Managers at the Lübeck-based 3D printing business have stated that SLM Solutions is set to enter the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange this year and intends to raise €75 million via an IPO.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Markus Rechlin said in his opening statement at SLM's User Group Meeting last week: "[The] 3D printing market was reaching an inflection point and SLM Solutions want to play a leading role in the transition stage.
"We believe that this market will grow significantly in the coming years."
This news follows on from last week's IPO announcement from long-running Belgian additive manufacturing service bureau, software developer and community Materialise. The company revealed it filed with SEC on April 2nd to raise up to $125 million.
SLM Solutions, therefore, is set to join Materialise and fellow additive manufacturing giants Stratasys and 3D Systems, in addition to metal additive manufacturing specialist ExOne and voxeljet, a fellow German business that went public in October 2013.
Metal additive manufacturing is a growing industry, accounting for less than ten per cent of the overall 3D printing market. SLM Solutions generated €22 million in revenues last year and has a strong presence at major industry events including Euromold and to some, raising an IPO is the natural next step for this growing company.
