German 3D printer Concept Laser puts itself up for sale

German 3D printer Concept Laser GmbH has put itself up for sale and has hired boutique advisory firm PJT Partners to find a buyer, Reuters today reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The move comes a day after General Electric struck a deal to buy two European 3D printing groups - Sweden's Arcam and Germany's SLM Solutions Group AG - for a total of $1.4 billion. (See: General Electric to buy two European 3D printing firms for $1.4 bn)

Concept Laser has sent out information to prospective buyers, and is presenting the company to rivals from Asia and Europe, including Switzerland's Oerlikon, as well as private equity groups such as EQT, Advent, and KKR, the report said, adding that GE has not joined the fray.

Bids, which are due next month, are expected to value the company at more than 20 times its expected 2016 earnings, or more than €500 million, the report added.

Founded in 2000 by Frank Herzog, Concept Laser is a provider of machine and plant technology for the 3D printing of metal components.

Concept Laser says that its patented LaserCUSING process – powder-bed-based-laser melting of metals – opens up new freedoms when it comes to configuring components and also permits the tool-free, economic fabrication of highly complex parts in fairly small batch sizes.

The company's customers come from many different sectors of industry, including from the medical and dental technology, the aerospace industry, toolmaking and mold construction, the automotive industry and the watch and jewelry industry.

Concept Laser's 3D metal printers process, among other materials, powder materials of stainless steel and hot-work steels, aluminum and titanium alloys and for jewelry making.