Additive Manufacturing’s Leading Voices: Top Personalities and Innovators of 2021

The year 2021 proved to be a pivotal period for additive manufacturing, marking significant advancements and a robust resurgence after the global health crisis. This year was characterized by a gradual yet powerful recovery of the market, a welcome return of essential physical industry events, and an unprecedented wave of investments by key players across the sector. Behind these transformative evolutions and technological breakthroughs are visionary leaders, dedicated professionals, and innovative minds—individuals whose relentless efforts are shaping the future of 3D printing worldwide. From engineers pushing the boundaries of material science to chemists developing novel compounds, and from strategic sales executives to highly skilled technicians, these personalities, regardless of their specific background or expertise, have undeniably left their mark. Their diverse projects and strategic initiatives have been instrumental in driving substantial market growth and fostering a dynamic environment for innovation. As we reflect on a year of remarkable progress, it’s timely to shine a spotlight on some of the most influential additive manufacturing personalities of 2021. This curated list features ten individuals selected from various countries and professional spheres, each making unique and significant contributions to the industry. We invite you to explore their stories and share your thoughts on this selection!

Sherry Handel, Executive Director, AMGTA: Championing Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing

For anyone closely observing the additive manufacturing market, the discourse around sustainability in 3D printing has become impossible to overlook. It has transformed from a niche consideration into a central concern for countless industry stakeholders, all actively seeking innovative solutions to mitigate our environmental footprint. At the forefront of this crucial movement is the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA), led by its esteemed Executive Director, Sherry Handel. As the first person to hold this pivotal position, Sherry’s leadership is defining the association’s strategic direction. A core objective under Sherry’s guidance is to meticulously research, document, and vigorously promote the inherent environmental advantages of 3D printing. The AMGTA achieves this through various research projects and advocacy, aiming to provide concrete data that supports the eco-friendly aspects of additive manufacturing. Sherry brings a wealth of relevant experience, having previously co-founded and served as COO of Energy Harvesters LLC, a pioneering cleantech startup. This robust professional background, combined with her deep-seated commitment to environmental issues, has been invaluable since she joined AMGTA in February 2020. Under her stewardship, the association has grown significantly, now boasting a membership of 38 companies, all united in their commitment to making additive manufacturing a more sustainable industry.

Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO, Desktop Metal: Orchestrating Strategic Growth and Acquisitions

Our next selection for a leading additive manufacturing personality of 2021 is a name that resonates strongly throughout the industry. The year 2021 was truly monumental for Desktop Metal, a company that experienced unprecedented growth and a series of high-profile acquisitions that dramatically reshaped its market presence. Early in the year, the American manufacturer significantly expanded its capabilities by acquiring EnvisionTec, a leader in photopolymer 3D printing solutions. This strategic move was soon followed by another blockbuster acquisition: the purchase of ExOne, a pioneer in binder jetting technology, for an impressive $575 million. These bold acquisitions were instrumental in rapidly broadening Desktop Metal’s portfolio of technologies and materials, solidifying its position as a multi-faceted provider in the additive manufacturing space. Given these transformative developments, it was impossible to exclude Ric Fulop from our list of individuals who profoundly impacted the 3D printing market this year. Ric founded Desktop Metal in 2015, leveraging his extensive 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, which includes co-founding A123Systems, a prominent developer and manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries. Under his visionary leadership, Desktop Metal has rapidly ascended to become one of the foremost manufacturers and innovators in additive manufacturing, demonstrating a clear commitment to industrial-scale production.

Fabien Guillemot and Bruno Brisson, Co-Founders, Poietis: Advancing Bioprinting for Medical Applications

The French 3D bioprinting company Poietis stands out as one of the most recognized and innovative players in the burgeoning bioprinting market. Co-founded by the brilliant minds of Fabien Guillemot and Bruno Brisson, these individuals have earned their place on our list of personalities who profoundly impacted the 3D printing sector this year. Their significant achievement in 2021 was the successful installation of a 3D bioprinter within a hospital setting for the very first time. This landmark accomplishment is designed to revolutionize the creation of implantable tissues directly at the point of care. The overarching goal behind this pioneering initiative is to empower healthcare facilities to design and produce custom, patient-specific cell structures and biological tissues within their own infrastructure. This capability could allow surgeons to graft these meticulously engineered tissues directly onto patients, significantly reducing wait times, improving compatibility, and opening new avenues for personalized regenerative medicine. While ongoing tests and rigorous clinical trials are still essential to fully validate this technology, the initial results are exceptionally promising, heralding a future where 3D bioprinting could transform organ and tissue transplantation, drug discovery, and medical research.

Robert Bodor, President and CEO, Protolabs: Expanding Digital Manufacturing Services

Robert Bodor assumed the role of CEO at Protolabs in March 2021, marking a significant leadership transition after a distinguished tenure holding various leadership positions at the company since 2012. He succeeded Vicki Holt, inheriting a dynamic company that made considerable headlines throughout the year. Most notably, Protolabs strategically acquired the Hubs platform, formerly known as 3D Hubs, earlier in the year for a substantial $280 million. This acquisition was a game-changer, designed to merge Protolabs’ established expertise in digital manufacturing with Hubs’ extensive global network of manufacturing partners, thereby creating what is now recognized as the world’s largest and most comprehensive manufacturing offering. Commenting on this transformative acquisition, Robert Bodor articulated the strategic vision: “The addition of 3D Hubs provides Protolabs a platform to evolve our service model and to provide unprecedented manufacturing flexibility to our customers. Our combined organizations will provide the market an industry-leading digital manufacturing solution to serve their needs from idea to prototype to full end-use part production. Together, we can fulfill nearly every custom manufacturing need across the product life cycle.” His leadership in orchestrating this integration and driving Protolabs’ expanded service capabilities has solidified his position as a key figure in the additive manufacturing landscape.

Tali Rosman, VP & GM 3D Printing, Xerox: Pioneering Metal Additive Manufacturing

Following a distinguished career spanning several years at Stratasys, Tali Rosman brought her profound expertise and passion for additive manufacturing to Xerox in February 2020, assuming the vital role of Vice President and General Manager of the 3D Printing business. Tali’s overarching objective in this role is to empower manufacturers to develop and implement smart, resilient, and agile supply chains, leveraging the transformative potential of 3D printing. It’s worth recalling that Xerox made a significant entry into the additive manufacturing space by acquiring Vader Systems in 2020. This strategic move set the stage for Xerox’s official unveiling of its groundbreaking metal additive manufacturing system in February 2021. This innovative system utilizes liquid metal printing technology, offering unique advantages for industrial applications. Under Tali’s guidance, Xerox is poised to make substantial inroads in the metal 3D printing sector, a segment critical for various high-performance industries. Her leadership is crucial in driving the commercialization and adoption of Xerox’s advanced additive manufacturing solutions, making her a personality to watch closely as these developments unfold and reshape manufacturing processes.

Yoav Zeif, CEO, Stratasys: Shifting Additive Manufacturing from Prototyping to Production

The year 2021 saw Stratasys, a long-standing titan in the additive manufacturing market, make considerable strategic advancements and generate significant industry buzz. Under the leadership of CEO Yoav Zeif, who took office in February 2020, the company has embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine its market position and accelerate the industrial adoption of 3D printing. A key strategic move was the acquisition of Origin at the close of 2020, which significantly bolstered Stratasys’ polymer offerings, particularly in the realm of production-grade applications. Furthermore, Stratasys made a monumental entry into the powder bed fusion process with its Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF) technology, marking a bold diversification into a new and rapidly growing segment. Yoav Zeif is deeply involved in shaping the company’s strategic direction, with a clear and compelling goal: to accelerate the widespread adoption of additive manufacturing not merely as a tool for prototyping, but as a robust and indispensable method for full-scale production. This vision aims to unlock the full potential of 3D printing for various industries, moving beyond conceptual design to high-volume, end-use part manufacturing, thereby cementing Stratasys’ role as a leader in industrial 3D printing solutions.

Jason Ballard, Co-Founder and CEO, ICON: Revolutionizing Construction with 3D Printing

ICON, an innovative American company, is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking concrete 3D printing solutions, and the year 2021 proved to be exceptionally momentous for its trajectory. The company initiated numerous ambitious projects, significantly expanded its operational footprint, and successfully raised several million dollars in funding, crucial for fueling its rapid growth and continued innovation. At the heart of ICON’s remarkable success is Jason Ballard, one of its three visionary co-founders and the company’s dynamic CEO. Jason’s leadership has been pivotal in steering ICON towards its ambitious goals. Before embarking on this transformative venture, Jason held a management position at a green home renovation company, demonstrating an early commitment to sustainable practices. His experience also includes impactful work at a homeless shelter, highlighting a dedication to addressing societal needs. Hailing from Texas, Jason pursued studies in conservation biology, a background that clearly influences ICON’s mission to create sustainable and resilient housing solutions. Alongside his fellow co-founders, Alex Le Roux and Evan Loomis, Jason Ballard is not only revolutionizing the construction industry through advanced additive manufacturing but also demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to tackle pressing global challenges such as affordable housing and environmental sustainability.

Matthew Forrester, Head of Materials Transformation & Recycling – Packaging Science Centre, L’Oréal: Innovating Packaging with 3D Printing

Matthew Forrester, a highly skilled engineer by training, joined the global beauty giant L’Oréal in 2007. Since then, he has progressively taken on diverse and increasingly impactful roles, leading various missions centered around packaging innovation. Notably, he served as Additive Manufacturing Technical Manager for over a year, deeply integrating 3D printing expertise into L’Oréal’s operations. Matthew is recognized as a key personality driving the broader adoption and deployment of 3D technologies within the consumer goods industry, particularly through the strategic projects he spearheads with his dedicated teams. One of his most significant initiatives involves the integration of advanced HP Multi Jet Fusion technology into the development of novel and more sustainable packaging solutions for the French group’s extensive range of cosmetic products. This project underscores the immense potential of additive manufacturing to revolutionize packaging design, enabling greater customization, faster prototyping, and improved material efficiency. Matthew’s work at L’Oréal exemplifies how large corporations are leveraging 3D printing to not only enhance product aesthetics and functionality but also to address critical sustainability goals, making him a vital innovator in the application of AM beyond traditional manufacturing sectors.

Terry Wohlers, Head of Market Intelligence in Additive Manufacturing, Wohlers Associates: The Foremost Authority in AM Market Analysis

Terry Wohlers is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished and influential figures in the additive manufacturing market, widely recognized as the originator of the annual Wohlers Report. This authoritative study serves as the definitive global overview of the additive manufacturing industry, meticulously detailing its market size, emerging trends, technological advancements, and persistent challenges. The year 2021 brought a significant development for Wohlers Associates, as it was acquired by ASTM International, a globally recognized leader in developing international standards. This acquisition represents a strategic alignment that promises to further enhance the report’s reach and impact. Expressing his enthusiasm for this new chapter, Terry Wohlers stated, “I could not be more excited about joining the world-class team at ASTM International. Through ASTM, we can now accept more projects than in the past and our advisory services team is now larger than ever. We are glad ASTM has made a commitment to publishing the report for years to come.” This move ensures the continued legacy and expansion of the Wohlers Report, reinforcing Terry’s enduring influence as the paramount source for market intelligence in additive manufacturing, guiding industry leaders, investors, and researchers alike with unparalleled insights.

Massimo Moretti, CEO, WASP: Pioneering Sustainable 3D Printed Architecture

Massimo Moretti embarked on a visionary journey in 2012, founding WASP (World’s Advanced Saving Project) alongside a dedicated group of young designers. An accomplished electronics engineer, Massimo’s career began with developing diverse products and collaborating extensively with numerous research centers, universities, and large international corporations across sectors such as mechanics, cosmetics, and chemistry. With WASP, he specialized in the development of large-scale 3D printers and rapidly pivoted towards the construction sector, driven by a profound commitment to environmental stewardship. His core objective is to design and build more environmentally friendly structures, with a particular emphasis on utilizing local resources and sustainable materials. The year 2021 marked a significant milestone for Massimo and his team with the much-anticipated completion of the TECLA project. TECLA, an acronym for Technology and Clay, is a remarkable example of a house entirely 3D printed using raw earth, showcasing the incredible potential of sustainable construction. This initiative, passionately championed by Massimo and his innovative team, truly deserves recognition for its groundbreaking approach to ecological and affordable housing solutions through advanced additive manufacturing techniques.

As we conclude our retrospective on the dynamic year of 2021 in additive manufacturing, it becomes clear that the industry’s remarkable growth and innovation are intrinsically linked to the vision, dedication, and strategic acumen of individuals like those featured in our list. These leaders, through their pioneering work, bold investments, and unwavering commitment to pushing technological boundaries, have collectively advanced 3D printing from a specialized tool to an indispensable method for industrial production, sustainable solutions, and groundbreaking medical applications. Their stories highlight the diverse ways in which additive manufacturing is transforming various sectors and addressing complex global challenges. The dynamism of the additive manufacturing sector is a testament to their efforts, signaling an exciting future filled with further advancements and widespread adoption. We truly value your perspective on our selection of additive manufacturing personalities of 2021. Please share your thoughts and opinions in a comment below or connect with us on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! For the latest 3D printing news delivered straight to your inbox, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here. You can also discover all our insightful videos and interviews on our dedicated YouTube channel.