Interview: Thomas Masuch, 4 November 2024
Rainer Lotz, President EMEA at Renishaw, talks to Formnext magazine about the current market situation in the Additive Manufacturing industry.
What is your assessment of the current situation on the AM market and at Renishaw in particular?
Rainer Lotz: We're all navigating a complex market situation right now. Geopolitical uncertainty, economic policy instability, and inadequate long-term investment incentives are some of the factors leading to market stagnation, which is reflected in declining demand. This is particularly evident in sectors like automotive, mechanical, and plant engineering. However, at Renishaw, we've managed to achieve record sales in recent years by expanding our portfolio (as of June 2024). We're also seeing steady demand in the additive manufacturing sector.
Is the pessimism that you hear from some quarters regarding the entire AM market justified?
Rainer Lotz: The industry experienced a "gold rush" period, and some companies overextended themselves. In today’s challenging economic climate, this is catching up with them. It is now clear that the industry needs more staying power. However, I don't believe this undermines the industry's long-term prospects. Additive manufacturing has established its place in modern production, and the key now is to better understand and meet customer needs. Doing so will lead to stronger demand in the future.
What are the reasons behind the somewhat subdued situation?
Rainer Lotz: Caution around capital goods is widespread, and this affects more than just the AM market. It's understandable given the current economic climate. We're also seeing heightened competition from manufacturers in the Far East. The real opportunity for companies lies in driving innovation.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Renishaw at Formnext 2024: Hall 11.0, Booth C11
We have also discussed the current market situation with four other AM experts:
- Arno Held, AM Ventures: „It is positive that dubious participants have left the table“
- Frank Carsten Herzog, HZG Group: „There is no reason for pessimis“
- Jurgen Laudus, Materialise Manufacturing: Big difference between prototyping and series production
- Rainer Gebhardt, VDMA: „More confident than the average“
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