SLM Solutions Group AG (Lübeck, Germany), a supplier of metal-based additive manufacturing technology, confirmed its current-year corporate forecast and announced the conclusion of a successful first half of 2015.
SLM CFO, Uwe Bogershausen, commented: "Compared with the previous year, we report significant growth in our revenue during the first six months of [2015]. This growth is all the more pleasing considering that the first half of the year tends to be weaker, and we anticipate most of our business in 2015 to be realized toward the end of the year. On a full-year view, we continue to project new order intake of more than 100 machines."
Orders for SLM Solutions' metal 3D-printing machines were three times greater than during the same period in 2014, said the company. Forty machines were ordered during the first six months of 2015 (compared with 20 in 2014), including eight SLM 500HLs, the flagship system, (compared with two in the previous year); 25 SLM 280HLs (13 were sold in 2014), and seven LSM 125HLs (compared with five in 2014).
Linear Mold & Engineering (Livonia, MI) has been using the metal 3D process in its moldmaking business for more than 10 years, and this summer took delivery of two dual-laser SLM machines from SLM Solutions. As an early adopter of this technology, Linear Mold currently operates 14 3D metal printing machines, most of which are dedicated to production parts. However, Linear's conformal cooling business for moldmaking, which also uses the 3D metal printing technology, is also experiencing an uptick in demand.
Linear Mold's John Tenbusch commented recently: "Some of the SLM machines will be dedicated to conformal cooling technology," noting that as conformal cooling gains greater acceptance among OEMs, particularly those in the automotive industry, demand increases.
"The conformal cooling work is starting to pick up as customers take a serious look at this technology," Tenbusch said. "First, they have to gain acceptance of what it can do, and for that they run their own tests and trials on the technology. However, a number of them have moved past the trial stage now and are looking for applications that are a perfect fit."
Dr. Markus Rechlin, CEO of SLM Solutions Group, explained business trends for his company: "Focus on the core of our business with selective laser melting technology is paying off. Key sales revenue drivers include a high number of new orders from existing customers, and many multi-machine orders from industrial customers as well as contract manufacturers. Our new order intake also reflects a greater proportion of multi-laser machines that achieve greater build speeds for manufacturing environments. The after-sales business, which also includes metallic powders, comprises a further strategic focus."
Total operating revenue of €25.1 million was up 85.7%, in line with the higher business volumes (€13.5 million the previous year). The cost-of-materials ratio of 56.4% was comparable to the 2014 figure of 57.6%. Additionally, the number of employees as of June 30, 2015, nearly doubled from 94 to 184, with the strongest concentration of hiring in R&D.
"The global market for additive manufacturing has grown by an average of 34% over the past years, and it is set to reach a level of $22 billion by 2020, according to sector experts," added Rechlin. "We aim to grow at least as fast as the market and, better yet, would like to outpace this growth on a regular basis. In such a dynamic market environment, we do not think it exaggerated to speak of a new industrial revolution. We aim to continue to shape and design this revolution as a technology leader."
