History

Over 25 years of expertise in 3D printing

At the start of the 1990s, André-Luc Allanic, a worldwide specialist and pioneer of 3D printing who worked on several innovative technologies (notably stereolithography, selective laser sintering and polyamide powder sintering), developed some of the first European 3D printing systems for the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) and Laser 3D which he joined in 1993. The stereolithography machines that he designed were the fastest on the market at the time. In 1997, André-Luc Allanic started his own company—Optoform—and developed revolutionary systems.  Mr Allanic’s innovations are therefore considered to have spearheaded “the future of this industry”. 

A surge in development by Prodways

With their sights set on this ambition and in just over two years, Prodways made the necessary strategic steps to be able to issue its clients with a complete offer meeting the most stringent quality requirements:

• In April 2014, Prodways started by acquiring DeltaMed, a leading company in 3D printing materials. This acquisition enabled the group to manage and capture the creation of value in the machine/material combination for applications developed by the group;
• In March 2015, the acquisition of Initial—an independent French leader for the manufacturing of 3D printed parts—and assets from Norge Systems—an English start-up specialised in the design of 3D printers using selective laser sintering (plastic powders)—marked the acceleration of the group’s strategy. It aimed to provide its clients with a range of technologies and a full range of services right from the creation of a single prototype part to a complete 3D printing workshop;
• In June 2015, the FIMALAC group acquired a stake in Prodways’ capital, thus making the group’s ambition perfectly clear and providing it with new resources to support its industrial projects in the long term;
• In September 2015, Prodways signed a technological partnership agreement with the Chinese company Hunan Farsoon Hugh-tech Co., Ltd. This partnership was created to develop a new range of premium printers based on plastic and metal selective laser sintering, “Prodways powered by Farsoon”. This marks a significant step in our position as a serious competitor to current market leaders.
• In November 2015, Prodways announced the signature of a partnership agreement with LSS. LSS is the European specialist, provider of services, maintenance and process improvements for selective laser sintering using polymer powders. Under this partnership, LSS will contribute its maintenance, application development and R&D skills to the range of “Prodways powered by Farsoon” selective laser sintering industrial printers using polymer powders.
• The same month, Prodways announced the acquisition of Exceltec, a company specializing in the development and distribution of polymer materials for 3D printing using selective laser sintering, notably for industrial applications. This acquisition strengthens Prodways’ position in selective laser sintering technology with a full range of printers and premium materials, allowing Prodways to propose a solution for any market problems, and confirms the company’s aim to become the new alternative to the current leaders in this technology.