ASTM International Acquires Wohlers Associates: A Game Changer for Additive Manufacturing Standards and Market Intelligence
In a pivotal moment for the additive manufacturing (AM) industry, coinciding with the anticipation surrounding the Standards Forum at Formnext 2021, ASTM International made a landmark announcement: the acquisition of Wohlers Associates. This strategic move brings together two titans in the AM landscape, promising to significantly accelerate the industry’s growth and maturity. For over 35 years, Wohlers Associates has stood as a preeminent global leader, pioneering comprehensive market intelligence and analysis in additive manufacturing. Its flagship publication, the Wohlers Report, has been universally recognized as the definitive source for insights into the evolving landscape of 3D printing, guiding countless businesses, researchers, and policymakers. Katharine Morgan, president of ASTM International, articulated the profound significance of this union, stating, “Wohlers has been a trusted source of intelligence and analysis for the AM community for more than 30 years, and I am excited to see what our two trusted and credible brands can accomplish together for this industry.” This sentiment underscores the shared commitment to fostering a more robust, standardized, and intelligently informed future for additive manufacturing worldwide.
ASTM International, leveraging its extensive experience as a globally recognized standards organization, is poised to build upon the formidable legacy of Wohlers Associates. The acquisition enables ASTM to integrate and expand upon Wohlers’ unparalleled portfolio, which includes world-class intelligence briefs, highly specialized market reports, expert training programs in design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), and crucial consulting services. This integration is designed to create a synergistic powerhouse, combining rigorous data analysis with the authoritative framework of international standards. Terry Wohlers, the visionary principal consultant and president of Wohlers Associates, expressed his profound enthusiasm for this new chapter. He will transition to ASTM International, taking on the vital role of head of additive manufacturing market intelligence. “I could not be more excited about joining the world-class team at ASTM International,” Wohlers remarked. He further highlighted the immediate benefits of this collaboration: “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 commitment ensures the continuity and enhancement of the Wohlers Report, a cornerstone resource for the entire AM ecosystem.
At a press conference at Formnext in Frankfurt, Germany, Terry Wohlers and Brian Meincke (center photo): ASTM International acquires Wohlers Associates, Inc.
The Indispensable Wohlers Report: A Benchmark for the AM Industry
Since its inaugural edition in 1995, the Wohlers Report has transcended mere publication status to become the indispensable benchmark for the additive manufacturing and 3D printing industry. Its comprehensive analysis of market trends, technological advancements, material developments, and global adoption rates has provided critical insights for stakeholders across the entire value chain. The report is meticulously compiled, drawing upon extensive research, surveys, and expert interviews, offering an unparalleled annual snapshot of the industry’s health and trajectory. For decades, investors have relied on its forecasts, manufacturers have used its data to inform strategic decisions, and academics have leveraged its information to guide research directions. Its authority stems from a deep understanding of the complex nuances of AM, from desktop FDM machines to advanced industrial metal systems, and its ability to identify nascent trends before they become mainstream. The integration of future editions of the Wohlers Report into ASTM’s online subscription platform, Compass, marks a significant enhancement. Compass already serves as a robust repository for up-to-date policies, regulations, and best practices within various industries. By incorporating the Wohlers Report, Compass will become an even more powerful, single-source resource for AM professionals, offering a holistic view that combines essential market intelligence with crucial technical standards and guidelines. This move solidifies the report’s future, ensuring its continued evolution and accessibility to a broader audience.
Synergy and Strategic Vision: Fueling AM Growth Through Standards and Intelligence
The acquisition underscores ASTM International’s unwavering commitment to the expansion and maturation of the additive manufacturing industry. By bringing Wohlers Associates under its umbrella, ASTM is not merely acquiring a publication but integrating a crucial intelligence arm that will directly inform and accelerate its core mission of developing and promoting industry standards. Robust market intelligence is vital for identifying areas where standardization is most needed, ensuring that standards are relevant, forward-looking, and reflective of actual industry practices and emerging technologies. This synergy is expected to lead to the rapid development of new AM programs, services, and product offerings from ASTM, extending beyond traditional standards to encompass comprehensive support for the entire AM lifecycle. These initiatives could include expanded certification programs for personnel and processes, specialized educational courses, and deeper research collaborations, all driven by the data-rich insights provided by Wohlers Associates.
ASTM’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) already plays a critical role in fostering collaboration among government bodies, academia, and industry partners to drive the implementation and promotion of standards in 3D printing. The integration of Wohlers Associates’ full portfolio of products and services will significantly bolster the AM CoE’s capabilities. This means that ASTM will now have an even more profound ability to support innovation, enhance reliability, and promote widespread adoption of AM technologies globally. The combined entity will offer an unparalleled resource for companies seeking to navigate the complexities of additive manufacturing, providing both the authoritative guidelines for quality and safety, and the essential market data for strategic planning and investment. This holistic approach is crucial for overcoming existing barriers to AM adoption and unlocking its full potential across various sectors, from aerospace and medical to automotive and consumer goods. The renaming of the acquired company to ‘Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM International’ reflects this powerful new alliance, symbolizing a partnership where cutting-edge market insight is backed by the global authority of standards development.
This strategic consolidation is set to have far-reaching implications for the global additive manufacturing community. For industry professionals, it means more consistent and reliable data, coupled with clearer, more universally accepted standards. This combination reduces uncertainty, lowers entry barriers, and fosters greater confidence in AM technologies. For researchers, it provides a unified platform for understanding industry needs and applying their innovations to real-world challenges. Ultimately, the fusion of Wohlers Associates’ analytical prowess with ASTM International’s standardization expertise is designed to accelerate the mainstream adoption of additive manufacturing, enabling it to fulfill its promise as a transformative force in global manufacturing. By providing a single, trusted source for both market intelligence and technical standards, ASTM and Wohlers Associates are paving the way for a more efficient, innovative, and standardized future for 3D printing.
The Wohlers Report will continue to be a leading source of additive manufacturing intelligence, now enhanced by ASTM International’s global reach.
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Cover Photo Credit: Wohlers Associates