Bossard Group continues 3D printing expansion with 30% stake in Ecoparts

Bossard, a Swiss fastener technology and logistics group has acquired a 30% share in fellow Swiss company Ecoparts, a 3D printing service bureau. The move is the latest in a series of 3D printing deals made by the company in the last few years.

Commenting in relation to the new shares, the company stated, “This bolsters Bossard’s proven expertise in supporting customers from the design phase all the way to the production of complex metal and plastic parts. In addition, Bossard is an innovative partner when it comes to selecting the most suitable 3D printers and associated manufacturing technologies.”

Swiss 3D metal printing expertise

Ecoparts has 9 years experience in additive manufacturing. As a services, it provides a range 3D metal and plastic printing services, using SLM, SLS, FFF, laminated object modelling (LOM) and cold gas spraying.

These technologies enable the company to create tools, prototypes, lightweight components, finished parts and hybrid constructions, which it produces using 8 metal additive machines, including two EOS M270’s, one EOS M280 and five EOS M290’s.

Broadening the Bossard 3D printing portfolio

Bossard’s 30% stake in Ecoparts was bought from the company’s two founders who, until now jointly controlled a 50% share between them. The vonRoll infratec-Group, one of Switzerland’s longest-established industrial companies, and maker of electrical applications such as power generation, transmissions and storage, owns the other 50 percent and plans on retaining it for the long term.

Previously, in the fall of 2018, Bossard acquired 49% of 3d-prototyp GmbH, a Swiss expert in the additive manufacturing of complex plastic parts and models. In March of the same year, Bossard became a reseller of TRUMPF’s laser metal fusion (LMF) and laser metal deposition (LMD) machines, which includes the TRUMPF’s TruPrint 5000.

In addition, the group has signed two distribution contracts, one with 3D printer and material manufacturer German RepRap, and another with German chemical producer Henkel.

Collectively these acquisitions and partnerships give Bossard the distribution rights to four different 3D printing technologies: laser metal fusion, laser metal deposition, FDM, and stereolithography. Bossard can also supply 3D printing materials, such as resins, metal powders, and filaments.

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