GKN Powder Metallurgy, a producer of metal powder and parts, has acquired FORECAST 3D, a U.S. specialist in plastic additive manufacturing (AM) offering a full range of services from concept to series production. The combination creates a geographic and market expansion for GKN Powder Metallurgy's conventional and AM customers.
FORECAST 3D, headquartered in Carlsbad, CA, and founded in 1994, serves a diversified target audience in the North American West Coast. Prior to the acquisition, GKN Powder Metallurgy's primary market focus was in North America's Midwestern region, as well as Europe and China. By combining both businesses, GKN Powder Metallurgy now serves all markets with a full range of 3D printing production technology and an expanded global footprint.
"FORECAST 3D is a perfect fit," said Peter Oberparleiter, CEO, GKN Powder Metallurgy. "They are everywhere we are not - geographies, markets, technologies and base materials. Combining our individual capabilities will present unparalleled advantages to our customer bases and enable us to cross-promote AM in metal and plastic over more diversified markets. It is an important step on our journey to become No. 1 in this high growth market."
"FORECAST 3D offers a fleet of industrial-grade HP Jet Fusion 3D printers. FORECAST 3D and HP Multi Jet Fusion technology both deliver advantages in quality, speed and economics, complementing GKN Powder Metallurgy's advancements in metal 3D printing for mass production," said a company spokesperson.
"At FORECAST 3D, our roots run deep in the world of nimble, low volume polymer AM. As we continue to branch out and focus on high volume additive production, what better partner to pair with than GKN, a company that produces over 13 million parts per day," said Corey Weber, CEO and Co-founder, FORECAST 3D. "GKN's resources, production experience and footprint will be the perfect fuel for this new FORECAST 3D engine as we prime it for the new world of local, on-demand manufacturing."
"Both GKN and FORECAST 3D have been pioneers in using HP's metals and plastics platforms. As foundational partners in the HP Digital Manufacturing Network, this acquisition brings together two experienced parts producers to further accelerate the mass production of high-quality final parts for customers around the world," said the spokesperson.
"There is enormous opportunity for growth in 3D printing and it is exciting to see GKN and FORECAST 3D come together to push the boundaries in both metals and plastics mass production," said Christoph Schell, President, HP 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing. "Customers worldwide now have the confidence of two of the premiere producers of 3D-printed parts at the ready to help accelerate digital manufacturing transformation and deliver innovative, high-quality applications."
GKN Powder Metallurgy is a full metal shapes solutions provider, shaping powder metal into high performance and high precision components. It provides powder metal expertise and process experience to transform ideas into production.
FORECAST 3D was founded in 1994 by brothers Corey and Donovan Weber, in a small garage with a single machine. Today, with over 45 industrial 3D printers in-house and three facilities, FORECAST 3D services companies of all sizes across all industries.
For more information contact:
GKN Powder Metallurgy
www.gknpm.com
FORECAST 3D
2221 Rutherford Road
Carlsbad CA 92008
800-549-5414
hello@forecast3d.com
www.forecast3d.com