Prodways-Nexteam Partnership Aims to Forge Ahead in 3D Metal Printing for Aerospace Clientele

The Prodways-Nexteam partnership isn’t afraid. While all the benefits of 3D printing in manufacturing are being flaunted around the world, still many companies are holding back due to fear of change, and a lack of understanding of the actual processes–as well as how transforming they can be from nearly every angle.

With experience comes wisdom, as we all know–and a good foundation for making those types of important and transforming decisions–and due to that, this new team, comprised of the two France-based teams from Prodways Group, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, and Nexteam Group have announced that together they will be indeed be creating a joint venture, diving right into developing mass produced, onboard metal 3D printed parts for the aerospace industry.

“This partnership reflects Prodways aim to become the leader in the design and production of mechanical aerospace parts using 3D printing,” said Prodways Group deputy managing director Philippe Laude. “This partnership with Nexteam Group, which will provide its expertise in the areas of machining and finalisation, will ensure that we can scale up our manufacturing processes to an industrial level that meets the technical requirements of the major players in the aerospace market.”

This falls directly in line with the new aerospace division recently launched by Prodways–and it’s not their latest weighty announcement by any means, as we’ve seen them expanding on numerous levels recently from global expansion plans to mega cash infusions and extending market coverage of their 3D printers.

In this latest deal, Prodways is expecting to meet the demands for their new division and of the aerospace sector overall as they rely on Nexteam’s know-how.

“With this agreement, we are adding a new skill that will enable us to offer our customers an integrated range of products and robust optimization solutions, backed by a leading player in the sector, an expert in all metal additive manufacturing technologies,” said Nexteam Group chairman Ludovic Asquini.

Nexteam, based in Marmande, brought in revenues of €130 million in 2015. They bring undeniably valuable experience to the table in this partnership as a key player in the world of precision engineering and hard metal machining. Offering eight European sites, as well as working with 750 other companies around the world, they are relied on to provide authentic products and innovation to many different industries, such as engineering, aeronautics, space and defense. Nexteam has specific expertise in providing not only the exact types of alloys required by aerospace customers, but their team also possesses years of experience in the production, assembly, and maintenance of large and small precision mechanical parts.

Adding further versatility to what Prodways provides on a global basis for customers, this substantial new division they have also recently added should prove to be a suitable complement to other recent business activities and transactions, such as the acquisition of Exceltec, a prime developer and distributor of polymer materials for 3D printing. This is just one previous example of strategic partnerships Prodways has established by integrating those who are experts in their fields into the company, bringing more and more to the table for customers all around.

Prodways Group itself boasts 20 years of experience in the manufacturing of parts for the aerospace industry using additive manufacturing, through its INITIAL subsidiary, and has a fleet of around 10 machines covering all metal additive manufacturing technologies. Tell us your thoughts on this latest partnership in the Prodways-Nexteam to Make 3D Printed Metal Aerospace Components forum over on 3DPB.com.