Uniformity Labs' $10M 3D Printing Asset Auction: Top Equipment Available -

An online auction featuring $10 million worth of metal 3D printing assets from Uniformity Labs, an engineering materials company, is currently underway. The auction includes a range of cutting-edge equipment such as ALD Vacuum Technologies’ Viga 35 Vacuum Gas Atomizer system valued at $3.5 million, SLM Solutions’ 280HL Dual 700W laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 3D printer, an SLM 125M 3D printer, an EOS M290 LPBF system, a Desktop Metal P1 Production binder jet 3D printer, and a Desktop Metal Shop system. Additionally, various industrial 3D printing equipment like mixers, vacuum dryers, Netzsch Classifiers, CNC machine shop equipment, furnaces, lab equipment, and metal 3D printing materials are up for grabs.

The timed online auction is being conducted by US auctioneers Tauber-Arons Inc. and Aaron Industrial Solutions, with bidding closing at 9am PST on 7 February 2024.

Tony Arons, President of Tauber-Arons Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the auction, highlighting the opportunity for businesses to acquire top-tier equipment and enhance their capabilities in Powdered Metals Processing and Printing Facilities.

Reasons for Uniformity Labs Going Out of Business

Financial Struggles:

Despite raising $38.35 million in Series B funding in 2021, Uniformity Labs faced challenges in maintaining financial stability. The recent auction of $10 million worth of 3D printing assets suggests financial distress within the company.

Ceased Operations:

Uniformity Labs’ lack of news updates since September 2023, coupled with the auction of its assets, indicates a potential cessation of business activities.

Leadership Changes:

While the company appointed former General Motors executive Alan Batey as an advisor in 2022 to assist with scaling efforts, it’s possible that internal restructuring or leadership changes did not yield the intended results.

Market Conditions:

The broader challenges within the 3D printing industry, as evidenced by the asset sales at Shapeways and Arevo, suggest a difficult operating environment. Uniformity Labs may have struggled to navigate these market conditions effectively.

Competitive Pressures:

Intense competition within the 3D printing sector could have contributed to Uniformity Labs’ inability to maintain market share and profitability.

Strategic Direction:

The company’s decision-making processes and strategic direction may not have aligned effectively with market demands and customer needs, leading to operational challenges.

Partnering Issues:

While collaborations with companies like Tekna seemed promising, unforeseen difficulties or disagreements in partnerships could have impacted Uniformity Labs’ ability to deliver on its promises and maintain momentum.

Technological Challenges:

Despite advancements in materials and processes, Uniformity Labs may have encountered technological hurdles or limitations that hindered its ability to innovate and stay competitive in the market.

Customer Base:

Fluctuations or declines in the customer base could have affected Uniformity Labs’ revenue streams, making it difficult to sustain operations and investments in research and development.

Strategic Review:

The company’s announcement of a strategic review of “strategic alternatives” suggests a proactive effort to assess its options amidst financial challenges, indicating a potential recognition of insurmountable obstacles to continued operations.

3D printing asset for sale

An ongoing auction by Uniformity Labs mirrors a broader trend of asset sales within the 3D printing sector. According to a recent survey on 3D printing trends, industry experts note that business consolidations and reductions in stocks and fixed assets stem from challenges within the sector.

Another example of this trend is evident in the recent announcement from 3D printing service provider Shapeways, which is selling $5 million worth of hardware from Desktop Metal through an online auction managed by Heritage Global Partners. The items available for sale include various equipment such as P1 Production System 3D printers, Shop System binder jet 3D printers, BMD 3D printers, powder stations, powder blenders, sintering furnaces, and drying ovens.

This auction news follows Shapeways’ disappointing financial performance since its public listing in a $605 million SPAC deal with Galileo Acquisition Corp (GLEO). Initially projecting total revenue of $150 million for FY 2023, the company’s latest financial results indicate a significant downward revision, with anticipated revenue falling to a range between $34.3 million and $35 million for the year. Consequently, the ongoing asset sale is part of Shapeways’ efforts to explore “strategic alternatives” and implement cost-cutting measures.

In a separate development, Arevo recently announced its own 3D printing asset auction, featuring ABB IRB 4600 Robots, 3D Printers, SuperStrata Urban Bikes, Chillers, and IPG Diode Laser Modules. Despite securing $70 million in funding, the company has ceased operations and fulfilled 96% of its crowdfunded 3D printed bike orders.