Now everyone is a consultant

The Atomic Layers: S9E1 (00238)

Apr 01, 2025

Atomic Layer of the Day:

Three things happened one after another:

Yesterday, Anna published a post on LinkedIn offering help and support to people in the AM industry who are looking for a job. This was a result of numerous previous requests sent to her and me, asking for help or guidance in finding new employment. Since yesterday, several people have already reached out to her!

Then, this morning, I came across this post by Ivan Madera on LinkedIn:

And finally, I had a very spontaneous conversation with someone from the AM industry who, until recently, held a significant position at a well-known company. Now, due to that company's serious struggles, the person is looking for a new path in life. This person is considering becoming… a consultant.

Just like Ivan wrote – to make ends meet.

I gave this person the best advice I could. Theoretically, my suggestions might be very accurate and helpful – but in reality, it all depends on whether and how the person decide to implement them.

However, none of this changes the fundamental fact – it shouldn’t be this way.

Highly skilled professionals in software, hardware, materials, or client support shouldn’t have to urgently seek work as independent consultants, all competing for the same clients with the same services.

They’re not doing this because they got tired of their corporate jobs – they’re doing it because they had no other choice. Because their previous company either no longer exists or won’t exist in the coming months.

In principle, I shouldn’t be worrying about this, nor should I be taking up your time with this article. After all, isn’t it true that if a company is weak, it fails? And that its employees bear some responsibility for that? And that if they’re truly good, they will find a job elsewhere?

Well, not exactly. It’s a much more complex issue.

If I had to simplify it, I’d put it this way:

The current disastrous job market in AM is the result of reckless and poorly thought-out consolidation that took place between 2020 and 2023.
Companies kept acquiring each other, creating disorganized giants that collapsed under their own weight.
Now, there are fewer jobs because there are fewer companies – and many of the ones that remain are in shambles.

Let me give an example (without constantly naming the same companies – we all know who we’re talking about):

Startup A has 10 employees and is doing relatively okay. It has low revenues (or none at all) but also low costs.
Company X secures massive funding from private investors and the stock market.
X acquires startups A, B, C, and D, each with 10 employees – now it has 40 new people.
X itself already employs 100 people, bringing the total to 140 employees.
The startups are left to operate somewhat independently – they continue developing their products, but no one really cares. X is focused on growth and keeps looking for more acquisitions.
Eventually, X buys Y, a large, well-established company. Another 100 employees join, bringing the total to 240.
Then X runs into financial trouble and starts laying off employees – say, 40 at first.
Finally, Z appears, a company with 250 employees, also built through the acquisition of five other firms (E, F, G, H, I).
Z acquires X, forming ZX.
ZX struggles financially and starts massive layoffs, trying to shrink to an absolute minimum of 30–40 people, just to survive…
But it fails.

How many companies disappeared in total?

What happened to their employees?
Where are these employees supposed to go now?

I’m telling you – this is wrong.

Yes, I agree that AM was overfunded for a long time. Some companies had too many employees. But on the other hand, this overemployment was also driven by the industry-wide trend of repeatedly acquiring small companies and building a pyramid of specialists from various fields – specialists who either duplicated their expertise or were mismanaged.

And now all these professionals have a few options:

Try to find a job at another AM company (which is more likely laying off than hiring).
Start a new AM company (but with little chance of securing funding because right now VC now hates AM).
Become independent consultants.
Change industries altogether.

Yeah, this is very wrong…

Atomic Layer from the Past:

04-01-2019: Stratasys announced the launch of F120 and V650 3D printers.

‘2013 in AM’ - brand new history book! GET IT NOW!

News & Gossip:

Today, quite unexpectedly, Stratasys launched the Neo800+, its latest SLA 3D printer. Featuring ScanControl technology, it boosts print speeds by up to 50% while maintaining precision. Designed for automotive and aerospace, it offers high reliability and lower part costs. The system supports advanced materials like Somos WaterShed XC+ for clear, high-quality parts.
Also today, my good friend from Poland – Filip Turzyński – introduced his innovative pellet extruder system for desktop 3D printers like the Creality Ender 3. Designed for material testing, it enables cost-effective research with recycled and specialty plastics. After long development, he also launched rABS-GF15, a traceable, high-performance material for 3D printing. Unfortunately I can't embed LinkedIn posts here, so click here to watch a fascinating video of his system in action.
Today is April Fools' Day, and as usual, we're seeing a wave of mostly cringe and "Dad's Joke"-like fake articles and social media posts where companies and editors—ha ha ha—share all sorts of made-up stories. But Formlabs absolutely nailed it. DeForm 1 is a fantastic joke, and Max Lobovsky, in the starring role, once again reveals his hidden acting talent. And even if it's not acting, it still looks cool.
I hope we get more videos in the style of the Tough 1500 Resin launch and DeForm.