New York City-based digital manufacturing company Shapeways Holdings Inc. is planning to invest $5 million and create 75 jobs in Livonia, Mich., after moving its plant from Long Island, N.Y.
The company, which does contract 3D printing for a wide range of industries, will move its plastics and metal additive manufacturing factory to metro Detroit, where it recently acquired Linear AMS, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
The company plans to invest $1.9 million to build out a 12,500-square-foot production floor and 5,000-square-foot office which will house $3.2 million in new equipment, according to an MEDC memo. The factory will contain all the company's U.S. commercial 3D printing and finishing equipment.
"We are thrilled to be part of the manufacturing community in Michigan, and grateful for the warm welcome and support of the local community, the state government, and our customers and partners," Shapeways Chief Operating Officer Andrew Nied, said in a news release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office.
That "welcome" includes a $375,000 performance-based grant from the MEDC to "address the cost disadvantage of locating the project in Michigan when compared to the competing sites in New York and New Jersey," the MEDC memo said. The city of Livonia has also agreed to provide "staff, financial or economic assistance" to support the project.
"This expansion solidifies Shapeways' presence in Livonia and helps drive our efforts to ensure Michigan's manufacturers lead the way in Industry 4.0 technologies and workforce needs," Whitmer said in the release.
The new jobs will pay $1,088 per week plus benefits. The company currently employs 36 people at Linear AMS plants in Livonia and Charlotte, as well as 176 outside of Michigan.
The company was established in 2021 as a spinoff of Netherlands-based Philips Electronics before going public on the New York Stock Exchange later that year. Since then, Shapeways' stock value has fallen dramatically — from about $80 per share at its peak to just over $4 on July 6.
The company had sales of $8.2 million in the first quarter, up 8 percent year-over-year, but it took an operating loss of $7.7 million for the quarter.
Shapeways has helped more than 1 million customers worldwide to produce more than 21 million parts, ranging from car and drone components to jewelry and accessories, according to its website.
"The strong manufacturing base and access to quality suppliers made Michigan an ideal choice for our expanded facility, and we look forward to creating more jobs and advancing digital marketing together," Nied said.