Markforged introduces new X3, X5 and X7 composite 3D printers
Markforged is one of those companies that – like so many others in the 3D printing industry – is so much focused on the quality and the engineering of the products it develops that it does not particularly care about letting the world know they exist. Luckily we occasionally find out about their latest product launch: not just any launch either, but three new, industrial grade composite 3D printing systems known as X3, X5 and X7.
The three new systems, collectively known as the Industrial Series, are industrial grade large-format printers which are built to deliver high accuracy, reliability and repeatability. These printers are meant as a go-to solution for manufacturing tooling (Jigs, Jaws, Tools, Fixtures). enabling manufacturers to save time and money printing tools previously machined out of aluminum using composite materials instead. Nylon-CF composites used by Markforged systems are 20% stronger and 40% stiffer than ABS and resistant to impact and a wide variety of manufacturing chemicals.
Unlike other 3D printing rising stars from the same general Boston, MA, area, such as Desktop Metal and Formlabs, Markforged never received giant investments from venture capital funds nor did it ever invest huge amounts of money in marketing and communication activities.
Perhaps things will change now, as the company recently hired a new CRO, Jason Eubanks, last July to support over 300% year over year growth while introducing its new Metal 3D printer to the market. Prior to joining Markforged, Jason was the Global Vice President of Sales, Services and Alliances at Twilio, the world’s leading developer platform for software embedded communications. In that role, he led inside and field sales teams, directed strategic alliances and expert services as part of the senior leadership team who saw Twilio through explosive growth and an IPO in 2016 as part of Twilio’s journey to becoming a $2.2B public company.
Markforged is hoping he will do the same for its business, helping the company emerge from the current role as “the scrappy underdog in the local 3D printing scene”, as it is described in a recent article on the Boston Business Journal. The article explaines that the company’s former board member, Ric Fulop, left and later started Burlington-based Desktop Metal Inc., which has raised an astounding $212 million and reached “unicorn” status in about two years.
Markforged on the other hand keeps churning out new printer models at an impressive rate to finance its more gradual business expansion and is getting ready to go head to head with Desktop Metal on their very similar metal 3D printing platform. In these cases getting some good press can go a long way toward helping a company achieve its goals. But in order to do that you really need to talk to the press.
