3D Systems has announced the acquisition of Vertex-Global Holding B.V., a dental materials company that supplies products under the Vertex and NextDent brands. 3D Systems will use its Figure 4 3D printing system with NextDent 3D printing materials to create next-gen dental products.
Named after a spectacularly forward-thinking diagram in Chuck Hull’s original 1984 Stereolithography patent, 3D Systems’ Figure 4 3D printing technology could soon change the way that businesses across a range of industries approach manufacturing. Figure 4, a term that applies to the company’s new approach to 3D printing rather than to a specific 3D printer, will encompass a number of modular additive manufacturing systems, each designed to fit seamlessly into the production line and make 3D printing a viable production tool. Although suitable for use in a number of sectors, 3D Systems (and Figure 4) has just taken a big step towards tackling the dental industry, with the 3D printing giant announcing the acquisition of dental materials company Vertex-Global Holding B.V.
As one of the leading global manufacturers of photopolymer, thermoplastic, polymer, and monomer materials for dental applications (3D printed and otherwise), Vertex Dental and NextDent represents an impressive purchase for 3D Systems, the South Carolina-headquartered 3D printing behemoth whose ProJet 3D printers are some of the world’s bestselling 3D printing machines. NextDent has developed 12 dental 3D printing materials to date, and has obtained regulatory approval for use of these materials in more than 70 countries worldwide. The materials can be used to quickly and cost-effectively fabricate trays, models, drilling templates, dentures, orthodontic splints, crowns, and bridges.
3D Systems says the acquisition will not have any detrimental effect on Vertex and NextDent’s current operations, and plans to preserve the entire product portfolio of the dental materials company while continuing to sell to its current customers. There will, however, be a shakeup at the managerial level of both 3D Systems and Vertex-Global, with Rik Jacobs, former CEO of NextDent & Vertex Dental, moving across to 3D Systems to lead the company’s worldwide dental business. “We believe 3D Systems is the perfect match to help accelerate adoption of 3D production in the dental industry and drive innovation towards next generation solutions,” Jacobs said on behalf of NextDent & Vertex Dental. “We are delighted to be part of this amazing team.”
In addition to the transfer of Jacobs to 3D Systems, Connie Peterse-van der Koppel, formerly Chief Development & Regulatory Officer of NextDent & Vertex Dental, will lead 3D Systems’ dental development and regulatory efforts. 3D Systems says that these leaders, with their respective teams, “will continue to deliver materials innovation, regulatory compliance, manufacturing efficiency, and vertical solutions expertise to advance 3D Systems’ solutions across healthcare and other verticals.”
3D Systems has stated that it expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to its non-GAAP earnings per share and cash generation. President and CEO Vyomesh Joshi added that he expects the acquisition to result in high-quality, next-generation 3D printed dental products: “With the combination of our disruptive Figure 4 platform and NextDent’s revolutionary materials, we have the unique opportunity to deliver transformative digital production solutions from the dentist’s chair to the dental lab.”
