Ventura, Calif.-based 3D printer maker Nexa3D Inc. has acquired Pflugerville, Texas-based Essentium Inc., a manufacturer of complementary high-speed extrusion 3D printers that also has a portfolio of materials for defense, medical and chemical end markets.
Founded in 2013, Essentium established itself as the maker of 3D printers and independent dual extruders (IDEX) for complex applications that are up to 15 times faster than competing extrusion technologies, according to a news release about the deal.
The combination of Nexa3D and Essentium gives industrial customers the tools to scale production and explore manufacturing opportunities, the release also says.
"This acquisition is more than a strategic move; it's a testament to our shared vision to drive innovation and deliver solutions that redefine the production capabilities of 3D printing," Nexa3D Chairman, CEO and co-founder Avi Reichental said in the release.
Essentium co-founder and CEO Blake Teipel described the shared vision as "empowering manufacturers to create what was once considered impossible."
"Our combination enables us to offer game-changing 3D printing solutions for our defense, health and industrial customers," Teipel said. "We are blown away by the growth, technology, and delivery velocity underpinning Nexa3D, and excited to be the force multiplier that takes our combined enterprise to its true potential."
Essentium now is operating as a Nexa3D company with plans to transition fully to the Nexa3D brand at a later date.
Nexa3D has more than 1,500 systems worldwide from desktop to factory floor sizes with a focus on high-throughput applications.
The acquisition follows a 2023 acquisition by Nexa3D of Danish 3D tooling specialist Addifab.
Essentium's high speed extrusion technology perfectly complements Nexa3D's print engines for lubricant sublayer photo-curing (LSPc) and quantum laser sintering (QLS), according to a Linked-In post that alludes to future collaborations.
Essentium has more than 50 employees.
Going forward, Blake Teipel is Nexa3D's chief strategy officer and he will oversee product development and deployment; Elisa Teipel is chief government officer and will lead special projects and commercial activities; and Kelly Spivey is chief financial officer.