3D Printing: Prodways, Subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé Announces the Acquisition of Exceltec

Only a few days after the launch of its new ProMaker P series range of printers, Prodways, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, announces the acquisition of Exceltec, a company specializing in the development and distribution of polymer materials for 3D printing using selective laser sintering, notably for industrial applications.

Founded in 2004, Exceltec supports and innovates for international companies and service providers on a constantly evolving additive manufacturing market: "We want to change the game. We are convinced that the future of 3D printing lies in high performance materials specially designed for large capacity industrial solutions, while keeping production costs under control and optimized", confirmed Olivier Coulet, director and founder of Exceltec.

In addition, Exceltec concentrates its expertise on developing materials for the most demanding applications, such as aeronautics and the medical sector, in order to meet the challenges of selective laser sintering in an optimal and reliable way. Exceltec has established itself as a quality supplier of selective laser sintering materials for more than 10 years and also provides its expertise through a consulting program for major international groups and service bureau companies.

The merger of Exceltec and Prodways is based on the sharing of values and a common strategy based on innovation, quality and close customer relations.

Exceltec's full range of polymer sintering powders will now be integrated into the Prodways materials offering for the ProMaker P series range, enabling Prodways to offer a wide range of premium materials:

• PA12 polyamide powders range:

This range is designed in particular for industrial, automotive sports or military applications and is available in a variety of colors.

• PA11 polyamide powders range:

The powders in this range are designed for the manufacture of large, bulky and complex parts, and medical applications (class VI* certified). They are ideal for large capacity equipment such as in the automotive sector and are certified as meeting the manufacturers' standards (fire retardant) for aeronautical applications.

The number of grades and polymers offered in this range will also be extended, and its production capacity and international representation will be increased. Furthermore, Exceltec's business will continue within the Prodways Group, with the company's structure and brand remaining unchanged. Mr. Olivier Coulet will therefore continue to lead Exceltec along with two employees and will head up Prodways' powder materials division.

This acquisition strengthens Prodways' position in selective laser sintering technology with a full range of printers and premium materials, allowing Prodways to propose a solution for any market problems, and confirms the company's aim to become the new alternative to the current leaders in this technology.

Philippe Laude, Chief Executive Officer of Prodways Group, commented:

"Prodways intends to establish itself as a benchmark player in selective laser sintering, as it has already done in MOVNGLight® technology. Our new premium range of ProMaker P series industrial printers "powered by Farsoon" offers the best thermal stability combined with the highest levels of productivity and precision in their category and additionally, offers a very wide range of high performance powders developed by Hunan Farsoon Tech Ltd and Exceltec, to suit the most demanding industrial applications. Lastly, the three-way partnership between Prodways, Hunan Farsoon and LSS enables us to offer the highest levels of service and maintenance on this new range, and to combine the R&D and applications development resources of the three companies to continue developing our range".

With this acquisition, Prodways is making a long-term commitment towards its goal of becoming the third-largest global multi-technology player in additive manufacturing and is gearing up to present a full offering at the FormNext international exhibition to be held in Frankfurt on November 17.

About Groupe Gorgé:

Established in 1990, Group Gorgé is an industrial group operating in different areas of expertise: Smart Safety Systems, Protection in Nuclear Environments, Industrial Projects & Services and 3D Printing

In 2014, the Group reported revenue of €223.3 million. It is backed by 1,370 employees and operations in over ten countries. Groupe Gorgé is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000062671; Ticker code: GOE) and on the US OTC market (ISIN: US3994511034; OTC Pink: GGRGY / GGRGF) in the form of ADR.

More information available on www.groupe-gorge.com

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