GE Additive Launches Manufacturing Partner Network

GE Additive has launched its Manufacturing Partner Network (MPN). The MPN aims to create an open, competitive marketplace that will accelerate both supply and demand for additive manufacturing. The first three Manufacturing Partners (MPs) to join the network are Burloak Technologies, Carpenter and Protolabs Inc. MPs are additive production partners that will help customers make additive parts in volume.

According to GE Additive, the MPN takes an ecosystem approach to addressing several commercial challenges to ensure the additive industry reaches its next inflection point. As companies become ready to take the next step and move into volume production of additive parts they are looking for cost-efficient, scalable routes to volume production. However, limited access to equipment, funding to invest and expertise often prevents them from taking the next critical steps. Additive manufacturing suppliers are also seeking demand to build long-term business cases in order to invest, while OEMs need a guaranteed source of capacity, so they can continue to invest with confidence.  

The MPN will add additional MPs in all regions, but by design will remain a select group of additive manufacturing specialists. MPs will also benefit commercially through direct demand generation from a network of OEMs and revenue opportunities generated by GE Additive’s sales teams; knowledge sharing across the network; and co-marketing support and campaigns. 

GE Additive’s Customer Experience Centers in Munich and Pittsburgh will continue to support customers with prototyping and low volume production, but will act as a bridge to the MPN, which is a natural extension for those customers ready to take the next step.  

“We know firsthand that the transition from prototyping to volume production is possibly the biggest step on any company’s additive journey and that can be daunting,” says Jason Oliver, president & CEO, GE Additive. “The MPN is designed to give companies a range of options to help them progress and continue innovating by connecting them with a choice of trusted additive production partners to give them peace of mind, in a cost-efficient way.“

“Burloak Technologies is proud to be a launch partner for GE’s Manufacturing Partner Network,” says Peter Adams, co-founder and president of Burloak Technologies. “We have developed a strategic plan for the industrialization of additive manufacturing. Our participation in GE’s MPN strengthens this plan and will allow us to accelerate the the adoption of additive manufacturing in the market.”