MakerBot and Ultimaker agree to merge

Desktop 3D printing manufacturers MakerBot and Ultimaker have announced a merger that the companies say will accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing by providing a comprehensive desktop 3D printing ecosystem of hardware, software and materials.

The new entity will be backed by existing investors NPM Capital and Stratasys, and will benefit from a planned cash investment of US$62.4 million to fuel innovation and expansion into new markets. The new company will be led by Nadav Goshen, current MakerBot CEO, and Jürgen von Hollen, current Ultimaker CEO, who will act as Co-CEOs, with Goshen managing operations and R&D and von Hollen managing the commercial functions.

“This merger marks an important milestone for Ultimaker and MakerBot,” said von Hollen. “Innovation and growth are both critical to bringing desktop 3D printing from a specialty technology into mainstream business adoption. The new company will leverage and expand its combined global footprint with sales and operations in the Americas, EMEA and APAC.”

“Technological innovation is paramount in growing the availability of easy-to-use, professional 3D printing solutions,” said Goshen. “By combining our teams and leveraging the additional funding, we can accelerate the development of advanced solutions to provide our customers with a broad portfolio of hardware and software solutions to serve a wide spectrum of customers and applications.”

The new entity aims to offer easy-to-use and accessible desktop 3D printing solutions for any application, while inspiring the industry to a future state of responsible and sustainable manufacturing. The company will maintain headquarters in both the Netherlands and New York.

The transaction is subject to consultation with appropriate employee representative bodies and regulatory approvals, with closing currently expected over the course of the second or third quarters of 2022.

Image: Makerbot Method 3D printer.