After acquiring HAGE3D at the beginning of November 2023, German large-format 3D printer company BigRep signed a LOI with SMG Technology Acceleration SE, a Luxembourg special purpose acquisition company, as the first step for a listing at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (XFRA), one of the largest in Germany. The news is interesting and somewhat surprising since the company–prior to its acquisition of HAGE3D–had somewhat fallen off the industry’s radar and there were several unofficial reports emerging about it experiencing financial difficulties.
To clarify that matter, along with its intention to get listed on the XFRA, BigRep also stated that the company has grown to a global team of over 100 3D printing experts, within five strategically located application centers around the world. Its hardware installed base has reached more than 1,000 large‐scale industrial FFF printers in all relevant industrial sectors, as it “strives to push the limits of FFF and make its broad industrial customer base more successful.”
The companies signed a non‐binding letter of intent (LoI) concerning a business combination between BigRep and SMG. Through the intended business combination, BigRep plans to become publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. As a global leader in large‐format, open additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, BigRep supports companies to accelerate their innovation processes and rethink manufacturing enabling them to sprint from prototyping to production faster, getting products to market faster.
The industry’s demand for AM solutions is continuing its strong growth, driven by major global transformations such as digitalization of manufacturing, a focus on sustainability, and supply chain risk mitigation. Hence the global AM market grew double‐digit over the last years to around USD 18 billion in 2022.
Dr.‐Ing. Sven Thate, Managing Director and CEO of BigRep GmbH, commented: “We expect the AM market to continue its dynamic growth for the foreseeable future, driven by the strong megatrends such as digitalization and decentralization of manufacturing. BigRep embraces those transformations, providing complete industrial AM solutions comprising of reliable hardware, productivity software, quality materials, and excellence in customer support. With our solutions based on Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) being by far the most widely used AM technology, we are in the sweet spot of industrial, automotive, and aerospace clients seeking fast ROIs not only for small parts but also for large, complex functional part production.”
Dr. Reinhard Festag, Managing Director and CFO of BigRep GmbH added: “At the same time, we operate within a very fragmented market offering significant potential for consolidation. By unifying under‐critical players with outstanding technologies, we aim to broaden our comprehensive solution offering and leverage economies of scale‐ to benefit our customers. As a fast-growing, global player, we plan to form a European leader in AM technology via a buy-and-build approach, expanding our portfolio, market reach, and talents working at BigRep. The signing with SMG marks a significant next step on this journey.”
In view of the market drivers described and the further strengthening of the company’s technology towards intelligent open AM solutions, management expects BigRep to be able to continue its growth path, driven both organically and inorganically to form a new champion, “Made in Europe”. Just recently BigRep has acquired HAGE3D GmbH and thus strengthened its prominent position in the German‐speaking, industrial AM sector.
With this first step on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, BigRep hopes to realize far‐reaching synergies by scaling its full spectrum of low‐ to high-temperature FFF solutions on its global growth platform, including a strong brand, an extensive reseller and support network, as well as its scalable premium contract manufacturer supply chain.
