Arcam Enters the 3D Printed Medical Implant Space, With Acquisition of DiSanto Technology

Out of all the many uses of additive manufacturing within the medical field, the application which is making some of the largest impacts on people’s lives, as well as developing the quickest, is probably that of medical implants. Over the last year alone, we have seen 3D printed knee, hip, cranium, shoulder, and spinal implants inserted into human patients, as well as even a feline patient. The rapid expansion of this particular area within the 3D printing space has spurred many companies to invest further into the area, creating even more technological advancement.

Today Arcam, known for their use of electron beam additive manufacturing for a variety of metal parts, has announced their entrance into the medical implant market. They have acquired one of their recent strategic partners, DiSanto Technology, in a $15.8 million cash deal.

DiSanto Technology, founded in 1967, started as a general contract manufacturer, before becoming mainly a manufacturer of orthopedic implants. The company caters to many orthopedic device firms, and last year generated $12 million in revenue.

“With this deal we will be part of the leading company in 3D-printing in metals. This will enable us to help customers in rapidly developing product applications and to commercially produce products for them with Arcam’s cost-efficient, regulatory-cleared Additive Manufacturing technology. Being part of a larger group will also help in accelerating growth to better serve the growing implant market”, said Ronald F. Dunn, President of DiSanto Technology.

DiSanto Technology will become a subsidiary of Arcam, operating under the same general management as they did prior to this acquisition. The deal seemingly makes sense from a business standpoint from all angles. Arcam will be able to enter the medical implant market and obtain the current clientele acquired by DiSanto Technology over the years, while the management of DiSanto will now have unrestricted access to some of the most sophisticated metal 3D printing technology on the market today.

“Through this acquisition Arcam’s offering will cover the entire supply chain for our customers: Metal powders through AP&C, acquired earlier this year, EBM systems and services through Arcam AB and finished products through DiSanto. The acquisition is thus in line with our growth strategy, it complements our technology and product portfolio, and it is immediately accretive. We are very pleased to welcome the skilled DiSanto team to the Arcam group”, said Magnus René, CEO of Arcam.

This deal comes on the heals of several major acquisitions in the last year by 3D Systems, which included several medical related technology companies. Being a competitor to 3D Systems,  Arcam seems to want into the space as well. It appears that the medical industry is the area which these companies feel will see the initial benefits of these rapidly developing technologies.

Let’s hear your thoughts on this deal in the Arcam/DiSanto Technology forum thread on 3DPB.com.