The 3D printing industry is growing, thanks to increasing investment in the sector, emerging start-ups and impressive personalities making their mark. The latest statistics estimate that the additive manufacturing market was valued at $13.7 billion in 2019, and is expected to reach a value of $63.46 billion by 2025.

The impact of the 3D printing industry on the future of global industry as a whole should not be underestimated.

Additive manufacturing plays a major role in the Industry 4.0 revolution; it will help upend traditional economies of scale, making micro factories economically efficient; and it’s already contributing to reshape global supply chains, strengthening local networks. — Forbes

In this post we’re highlighting some of the people behind the industry’s mounting success, with their continued dedication to research and innovation of 3D printing.

Randy Altschuler, CEO of Xometry

Xometry aims to assist on-demand production by connecting engineers and designers to additive manufacturers in the most efficient way possible. As of 2019, the company has raised $55 million in equity funding, driven by the vision of its impressive CEO, Randy Altschuler. He said these funds would be invested in: “growth, product development and global expansion initiatives.”

In the summer of 2019, the US company acquired the Munich based company Shift (Europe’s largest custom manufacturing market), as a path to European expansion.

Alison Wyrick Mendoza, Senior Product Manager, GE Additive

Alison has had an impressive career in the 3D printing industry to date, predominantly in the areas of aerospace maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and additive manufacturing. She continually works to create awareness for 3D printing and has been a speaker at #3DTalk and Red Cabin’s Aircraft Cabin and Additive Manufacturing Conference in Abu Dhabi .

I look forward to seeing people, especially those already established in the industry, continue to embrace a fresh perspective. As AM discovery, recognition and adoption spreads and grows to new areas and new industries, I look forward to seeing applications and ideas grow as well. — Alison Wyrick, in Women in 3D Printing

Stefanie Brickwede, Managing Director at Mobility Goes Additive

Managing director of Mobility Goes Additive (MGA), Stefanie Brickwede, has worked hard to make her mark on the world of 3D printing.

Thanks to Stefanie, in just two years, MGA has grown from nine founding members to over 90.

The leading international network for 3D printing helps to connect companies, promote relevant research institutes, identify new business opportunities, support established contacts and open up new markets to increase competition.

Gil Lavi, CEO of 3D Alliances

Gil began his career in the printing industry in the mid 1990s working for two printing giants HP (Indigo) and Kodak (Scitex), in technical and sales management roles. His career has since progressed to even greater heights.

Gil created 3D Alliances at the end of 2018. He made big moves in 2019, being very present on the international additive manufacturing event circuit and social networks. 3D Alliances helps 3D printing companies with fundraising, deploying and managing strong and professional sales partners.

Steph Piper, Co-Founder of Elkei Education

Steph Piper is the co-founder of Elkei Education, the Patron of the Brisbane Hackerspace and the Community Engagement Coordinator at the University of Southern Queensland. Steph not only teaches courses in 3D printing, 3D modeling and Ardunio classes, she is also the co-founder of Spark Girlz.

The company’s aim is to educate young girls on technology and electronic skills to encourage them to confidently enter the sector and succeed. Some of Steph’s 3D models have been used for medical-grade implants and biofabrication.

Oliver Pohl, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Volkswagen

Oliver Pohl is undoubtedly a 3D printing personality to watch closely. He and his teams at Volkswagen have unveiled a very detailed plan that shows that by 2021, the brand will 3D print 50,000 to 100,000 functional parts the size of a football per year.

A digital transformation in the auto industry is underway and Volkswagen is leading the way with strategic vision and bold action. —  Tim Weber, global head of metals, HP 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing.

Oliver is at the very heart of this innovation.

Nora Toure, Founder of Women in 3D Printing

Nora Toure is the founder of Women in 3D Printing– which has a mission of promoting, supporting, and inspiring women from all over the world using additive manufacturing technologies. The group has hundreds of members and offers opportunities to grow in the field with educational events, talking panels, a web magazine and a continuously updated job board.

Nora is also the co-founder of #3DTalk (mentioned earlier) – an event series that gives a panel of women in the industry an opportunity to educate and inspire each other.

Final Thoughts

In 2020, 3D printing will reassert its role as one of the most transformative, influential and trailblazing technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Thanks to various technological advancements and product innovations initiated by the personalities listed above, the use of 3D printing technology has found its place in a wide variety of areas, from the realms of aerospace and prosthetics, to cars, sports and food.

The industry is being constantly driven by research investment, since its technology promises higher flexibility and faster design, as well as optimized material, labor, and transportation costs.