GE Additive Launches Manufacturing Partner Network

GE Additive has launched a Manufacturing Partner Network (MPN). The MPN aims to create an open, competitive marketplace that will accelerate both supply and demand for additive manufacturing. The first three Manufacturing Partners (MPs) to join the network are Burloak Technologies, Carpenter Technology Corporation, and Proto Labs, Inc. MPs are additive production partners that will help customers make additive parts in volume.

The MPN takes an ecosystem approach to addressing several commercial challenges to ensure the additive industry reaches its next inflection point.

As companies become ready to take the next step and move into volume production of additive parts they are looking for cost-efficient, scalable routes to volume production. However, limited access to equipment, funding to invest, and expertise often prevents them from taking the next critical steps. Additive manufacturing suppliers are also seeking demand to build long-term business cases in order to invest, while OEMs need a guaranteed source of capacity, so they can continue to invest with confidence.

The MPN will add additional MPs in all regions, but by design will remain a select group of additive manufacturing specialists, who, like Carpenter Technology, all understand the capabilities and future of this technology. MPs will also benefit commercially in three areas:

• Direct demand generation through a network of OEMs and revenue opportunities generated by GE Additive’s sales teams.
• Knowledge sharing across the network.
• This includes access to over 150 AddWorksTM consultants and technical support. New GE Additive technologies and innovation will be made available to MPs for testing and feedback shared will be incorporated into future product development.
• Co-marketing support and campaigns, including permission to use the GE monogram on all sales, marketing and promotional materials, communications channels and buildings.

GE Additive’s Customer Experience Centers in Munich and Pittsburgh will continue to support customers with prototyping and low volume production, but will act as a bridge to the MPN, which is a natural extension for those customers ready to take the next step.

“We know first-hand that the transition from prototyping to volume production is possibly the biggest step on any company’s additive journey and that can be daunting. The MPN is designed to give companies a range of options to help them progress and continue innovating by connecting them with a choice of trusted additive production partners to give them peace of mind, in a cost-efficient way,” said Jason Oliver, president & CEO, GE Additive.