Sandvik Strengthens Additive Manufacturing Portfolio

Sandvik has acquired a significant stake in Beam IT, with the right to further increase its stake over time.

Beam IT is a leading European-based additive manufacturing service provider which will complement and further strengthen Sandvik’s existing offer in metal additive manufacturing. The investment is also in line with Sandvik’s strategic ambition to become a leading solution provider for the wider component manufacturing industry.

Beam IT is a privately-owned company based in Italy, with more than 20 years’ experience within metal additive manufacturing (AM). The company is a trusted supplier of advanced metal AM-components to demanding industries like aerospace, automotive, energy and racing – and holds a number of relevant quality certifications, including AS 9100 for aerospace and NADCAP approval. In 2018 Beam IT had 38 employees and more than 20 powder bed fusion printers installed.

Sandvik has a leading position in metal powder for additive manufacturing and has since 2013 made sizeable investments into a wide range of AM process technologies for metal components, including powder bed fusion (laser and electron beam) and binder jetting.

Adding 150 years of experience in materials technology, 75 years in post processing methods like metal cutting, sintering and heat treatment, Sandvik has well-established and leading expertise across the entire AM-value chain.

Earlier this year, Sandvik integrated the powder division into the additive manufacturing division, which means that the company now has a full-value offering to the AM market in one business – covering everything from metal powder to finished AM-components.

“The AM sector is developing fast and there is a need for specialist-partners with the advanced skills and resources required to help industrial customers develop and launch their AM programs,” says Kristian Egeberg, president of Sandvik Additive Manufacturing.

“With the investment in Beam IT, we can provide our customers the opportunity to access the complementary and combined power of both companies.”

Mauro Antolotti, chairman and founder of Beam IT, added: “The demand for additively manufactured components is expected to grow rapidly the coming years. In Sandvik, we have an ambitious owner who can help us accelerate the growth – and who can provide us with leading materials expertise, development of high-quality metal powder suited for all AM processes, as well as world-leading post-processing know-how.”

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Source: PES