Zeda auctions 3D printing systems worth 20 million US dollars

US-based manufacturing services provider Zeda is offering high-end 3D printing systems for auction on January 15. The equipment includes four Velo3D Sapphire machines, including two large-format XC models, four AddUp FormUp 350 systems and an Arcam Q10 from GE Additive. In addition, CNC machines and other industrial manufacturing equipment from the Springdale (Ohio) plant will be auctioned off. According to the auction company, the estimated replacement value of the equipment is around 20 million US dollars.

Zeda was formed from the merger of PrinterPrezz and Vertex Manufacturing. The company has experienced strong growth in recent years, supported by financing amounting to over 50 million US dollars. Renowned investors such as Michelin, Fives Group and Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation also backed Zeda’s developments. The background to the investments were plans to establish additive manufacturing and downstream machining processes in several specialized locations simultaneously. The company’s portfolio included various metal 3D printing technologies, including powder bed fusion systems, binder jetting systems and systems for liquid metal-based processes.

Prior to the pending sale, Zeda’s infrastructure was spread across several locations, including California, New Jersey, Ohio and Singapore. Advanced manufacturing technologies were offered there for various industries, particularly for the medical sector. In Ohio, significant investments had recently been made to integrate both large and small format metal 3D printers with complementary CNC machining steps. Zeda wanted to use this capacity to serve both existing customers and growing market segments.

Part of the equipment portfolio came from previous acquisitions and partnerships. Vertex Manufacturing, once co-founded by an industry pioneer, brought in its own know-how and modern systems. Zeda combined this expertise with the established processes of PrinterPrezz, whose Californian headquarters specialized in medical applications. There, they held ISO 13485:2016 certifications and met regulatory requirements for medical technology.

The current decision to divest a significant portion of the recently acquired equipment indicates a strategic realignment.