Carpenter LPW acq
Carpenter acquires LPW Technology.
Carpenter Technology Corporation has acquired LPW Technology in a deal of around $81 million.
LPW is headquartered in Widnes, UK with additional processing operations in Pennsylvania, and is renowned for its metal powders and management, storage and monitoring systems. Those materials are developed for powder bed fusion processes and optimised to the specific machine type, whether it be EOS, SLM Solutions, Concept Laser, Renishaw, 3D Systems, Trumpf, Arcam, and so on. In more recent times, the company has stepped up its embrace of automation and end-to-end solutions, bringing to market its PowderLife portfolio, which ensures powder can be properly managed and assured.
It has attracted the interest of Carpenter, who itself has expertise in metal materials and is no stranger to the additive manufacturing market. The company has previously invested in Puris and CalRAM, and also has links with GE Additive.
Upon announcing the news, Carpenter cited quality lifecycle management and the ability to understand how materials behave before, during, and after production in powder-bed fusion processes as ‘critical’ if AM is to become more widely implemented, and most likely why it has sought to acquire the 80-strong company.
“Our aggressive development in key aspects of additive manufacturing (AM) demonstrates our commitment to build on our industry-leading position in this space,” commented Tony R. Thene, Carpenter’s President and CEO. “The acquisition combines LPW’s metal powder lifecycle management technology and processes with our technical expertise in producing highly engineered metal powder and additively manufactured components.”
“LPW’s innovative platforms and enabling technology further solidify Carpenter’s position as a preferred provider of end-to-end next generation additive manufacturing solutions,” said Phil Carroll, LPW’s founder. “I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved at LPW and I’m excited to be part of Carpenter’s continued growth and leadership in AM.”
