Industry Grows to $4.1 Billion in 2014

 

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, USA, April 6, 2015—Wohlers Associates, Inc., recognized widely as the leading consulting firm and foremost authority on additive manufacturing and 3D printing worldwide, today announced the publication of the Wohlers Report 2015. This annual publication has served as the undisputed industry-leading report on the subject for two decades. Over the 20 years of its publication, many have referred to the report as the "bible" of additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing—terms that are used interchangeably.

 

The market for additive manufacturing, consisting of all AM products and services worldwide, grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.2% to $4.1 billion in 2014, according to Wohlers Report 2015. The industry expanded by more than $1 billion in 2014, with 49 manufacturers producing and selling industrial-grade AM machines. The CAGR over the past three years (2012–2014) was 33.8%.

 

Wohlers Report 2015 provides an in-depth review and analysis of the industry worldwide. It includes growth, competitive products and services, and the future outlook for the industry. The comprehensive study covers all aspects of AM and 3D printing, including its history, applications, processes, materials, and equipment manufacturers. It covers developments in R&D, investment and collaborative activities in government, academia, and industry, and summarizes the state of the AM industry around the world.

 

Wohlers Associates reports that growth occurred in all segments of the diverse industry, including the low-cost “desktop” 3D printer segment. The use of industrial metal AM systems for demanding production applications in the aerospace and medical markets also grew strongly. The report thoroughly documents the increasingly rich range of technologies, markets, and business models that are emerging within the industry.

 

“The first Wohlers Report was published in April 1996,” said Terry Wohlers, principal consultant and president of Wohlers Associates. “It was 40 pages in length and represented the first-ever published analysis of the industry worldwide. The AM industry represented a mere $295 million in 1995. A lot has changed in 20 years, and we’ve worked hard to document this change. I am proud to say that no other publication comes close to matching the depth and breadth of data and market analysis that is found in our annual report.”

 

Wohlers Report 2015 is an information-rich 314 pages, and includes 39 charts and graphs, 63 tables, and 279 images and illustrations. The report, which sells for US$495, was developed with support from 87 service providers, 40 system manufacturers, and the valuable contributions of 78 co-authors in 31 countries. Wohlers Associates is fortunate to have developed the largest network of friends and contacts in the industry. This access and trust has resulted in a report that offers an unparalleled window into AM and 3D printing.

 

About Wohlers Associates: Established in 1986, Wohlers Associates is an independent consulting firm that provides technical, market, and strategic advice on the new developments and trends in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and rapid product development. The company has completed consulting projects for more than 240 client organizations in 24 countries around the world. Wohlers Associates has also provided detailed advice to more than 150 companies in the investment community. For more information, visit  http://wohlersassociates.com.