- Though 3D printer makers have seen their shares pummeled in 2014 and early 2015 thanks to a mixture of earnings disappointments, margin/spending concerns, and multiple compression, Canalys forecasts total sales of 3D printers and related materials/services will rise another 56% in 2015 to $5.2B. It also forecasts a 44% industry CAGR from 2014-2019, leading revenue to reach $20.2B.
- Canalys' Joe Kempton notes improving printer speeds, the availability of new materials, and the launch of new manufacturing methods have boosted growth. He also observes patent expirations have helped the vat polymerization segment of the 3D printer market grow rapidly; material extrusion printers have historically held a much larger shipment share.
- At the same time, Kempton points out there has been a major increase in the number of industry players, particularly from Asia. "In the next five years, more companies will move in to establish their own niches ... Long-existing vendors such as Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS) and 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) are well placed to take advantage of this growth but may find their dominant positions challenged by newer rivals."
- The aerospace, automotive, and medical markets are expected to remain major enterprise growth drivers, as firms such as GE, Boeing, and BMW continue investing heavily in 3D printing. On the consumer side, $500 is seen as the "sweet spot at which many consumers are likely to make impulsive purchasing decisions; " 3D Systems' Cube printer goes for $999. Kempton also argues performance, materials, and software improvements are still needed for consumer adoption to take off.
- Other 3D printing industry firms: XONE, VJET, OTCPK:AMAVF, MTLS, CAMT, ARCW
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Yesterday: Stratasys' MakerBot unit conducts layoffs
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Three days ago: 3D printing stocks up strongly amid NYC conference