TRUMPF says good bye to 3D printing
3DP War Journal #53
TRUMPF sells its AM business (LMF & PBF) to the investment fund LEO III Fund managed by DUBAG Group. A completely new company will be created based on the acquired unit. TRUMPF, in turn, joins the growing group of companies that have withdrawn from AM over the past few years.
The investment fund Lenbach Equity Opportunities III. GmbH & Co. KG (LEO III Fund), managed by DUBAG Group, has signed an agreement to acquire the entire AM business from TRUMPF. The transaction includes operations related to Laser Metal Fusion (LMF) and Powder Bed Fusion (PBF/LPBF) technologies.
TRUMPF decided to sell this segment to focus on its key areas of industrial activity (laser systems for metal processing and CNC).
The new owner plans to create an independent group that will operate from Schio, Italy, while maintaining the existing production facilities and employment in Germany, the USA, and Italy. The agreement provides for the transfer of all employees working at the units in Schio (Italy), Ditzingen (Germany), and Plymouth (USA), ensuring business continuity.
The "TRUMPF" and "TruPrint" brands will be used temporarily, and ultimately a new brand and visual identity will be introduced.
The new group is to operate as an independent entity, headquartered in Schio, where the main development and production center is currently located. The goal of DUBAG fund is to transform the acquired business into a leading provider of industrial metal 3D printing solutions, with an emphasis on comprehensive customer service - from machines, through application consulting, to automation and process integration.
The market strategy focuses on sectors requiring advanced solutions, such as aviation, medicine, dentistry, and industry. The transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals and the fulfillment of contractual conditions.
TRUMPF is a German company founded in 1923 by Christian Trumpf as a mechanical workshop. Over the following decades of operation, the company transformed into a global leader in metal processing technologies, specializing in sheet metal processing machines and industrial lasers. In the 1980s and 1990s, TRUMPF significantly expanded its international operations, opening branches in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In recent years, TRUMPF has solidified its position as a provider of advanced manufacturing solutions, including laser systems and CNC machines. In 2024, the company employed over 19,000 people and achieved revenues of 5.2 billion euros.
However, despite its strong position in traditional segments, TRUMPF decided to withdraw from the Additive Manufacturing business to concentrate on its key areas of operation.
TRUMPF is one of the pioneers of 3D printing from powdered metal alloys, becoming over time a significant player thanks to Laser Metal Fusion (LMF) and Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) technologies. The company focused on industrial applications, particularly in aviation and medicine, offering not only machines but also technical consulting and process integration.
In 2017, TRUMPF acquired the Italian company SISMA, specializing in 3D printing for the jewelry and dental industries, which allowed for portfolio expansion. In subsequent years, it developed TruPrint systems, which gained recognition among OEM manufacturers. Nevertheless, the AM business remained only a supplement to TRUMPF's core operations, which ultimately prompted the company to sell it.
And so, my dear friends, we can add another company to the list.
TRUMPF's decision to withdraw from the metal 3D printing market deemed it still too niche compared to traditional production methods to continue investing resources in its development.
As always in such cases, it's about the challenges in scaling the technology and achieving profits at the level expected by a global corporation like TRUMPF.
This has been described, among others, here:
On the other hand, the acquisition by DUBAG fund may bring new opportunities. Private equity funds introduce more flexible business models, which could accelerate the development of the acquired company. If the new owner manages to optimize the structure and increase efficiency, the AM business could succeed as an independent entity.
However, the critical challenge will be maintaining competitiveness against current leaders in metal 3D printing such as EOS, Nikon SLM Solutions and 3D Systems, as well as growing competition from China in the form of BLT, Farsoon or H3D.
Another matter is that TRUMPF's exit may weaken some customers' trust in AM technology, especially in sectors requiring long-term technological support.
TRUMPF's sale of its AM business reflects the persistent difficulties in commercializing industrial 3D printing, but at the same time creates an opportunity for more focused development of this segment under new management.
The industry will observe whether the investment fund model proves more effective than the industrial corporate model.
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