02-04-2014: Materialise acquired the largest Polish AM service provider – e-Prototypy

Three and a half years later, it became the foundation for one of the largest 3D printing factories in Europe

On February 4, 2014, Materialise announced the acquisition of the Polish company e-Prototypy, which was then the leading provider of 3D printing services in Poland. Operating since 2008, e-Prototypy had built a strong reputation specializing in SLS part production, 3D scanning, and reverse engineering. The acquisition allowed Materialise to integrate the Polish market into its global production and technology network.

Founded in 1990 in Leuven, Belgium, Materialise was the first company to specialize in 3D printing services and also developed innovative software supporting additive manufacturing processes. The acquisition of e-Prototypy aligned with Materialise’s strategy of expanding into Eastern European markets, where the potential for 3D technology growth was significant but still underdeveloped.

e-Prototypy was established in 2007 in Wrocław as MBM Technology, becoming one of the first companies in Poland dedicated to additive technologies. It started operations by acquiring a Stratasys uPrint 3D printer, enabling rapid prototyping services.

Over the years, e-Prototypy expanded its capabilities by investing in advanced technologies such as SLS and vacuum casting, as well as broadening its services to include 3D scanning and reverse engineering. The company owned one of the largest SLS 3D printers in Europe, supplied by EOS.

After acquiring e-Prototypy, Materialise significantly expanded its machine park, initially installing a dozen EOS 3D printers. In 2017, a new facility was opened near Wrocław, where additional SLS systems were added, followed later by the first HP MJF systems. Today, the Materialise factory is one of the largest production centers for polymer powder parts in Europe.

Source: www.materialise.com