Industrial Laser Solutions

Desktop Metal acquires ExOne

Nov. 15, 2021

The acquisition extends Desktop Metal’s product platforms with complementary solutions to create an additive manufacturing portfolio that offers high throughput, flexibility, and materials breadth.

David Belforte

Desktop Metal (Burlington, MA) has successfully completed its acquisition of The ExOne Company (ExOne; North Huntingdon, PA) following approval by a majority of ExOne’s shareholders.

The acquisition extends Desktop Metal’s product platforms with complementary solutions to create an additive manufacturing portfolio that offers high throughput, flexibility, and materials breadth, providing customers with a variety of options to address their specific application. Desktop Metal is committed to supporting ExOne’s existing customers around the world, as well as leveraging its global distribution network alongside ExOne’s direct sales force to provide businesses of all sizes with broader access to its AM 2.0 solutions and expanding materials library.

“This acquisition…… creates an unmatched portfolio that strengthens Desktop Metal’s ability to accelerate the adoption of AM 2.0,” said Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. “We believe Desktop Metal is uniquely positioned to provide the widest range of end-use applications, and we are excited about the value creation opportunity for our customers, partners, shareholders, and employees."

ExOne will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Desktop Metal and will remain headquartered in North Huntingdon, PA.

About the Author

David Belforte | Contributing Editor

David Belforte (1932-2023) was an internationally recognized authority on industrial laser materials processing and had been actively involved in this technology for more than 50 years. His consulting business, Belforte Associates, served clients interested in advanced manufacturing applications. David held degrees in Chemistry and Production Technology from Northeastern University (Boston, MA). As a researcher, he conducted basic studies in material synthesis for high-temperature applications and held increasingly important positions with companies involved with high-technology materials processing. He co-founded a company that introduced several firsts in advanced welding technology and equipment. David's career in lasers started with the commercialization of the first industrial solid-state laser and a compact CO₂ laser for sheet-metal cutting. For several years, he led the development of very high power CO₂ lasers for welding and surface treating applications. In addition to consulting, David was the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Industrial Laser Solutions magazine (1986-2022) and contributed to other laser publications, including Laser Focus World. He retired from Laser Focus World in late June 2022.