Sodick completes strategic acquisition of majority stake in Prima Additive
In a strategic move to bolster its position in the metal additive manufacturing industry, Japanese company Sodick Co., Ltd. has completed the acquisition of additional shares in Prima Additive S.r.l., a renowned Italian manufacturer of metal 3D printers, thus exercising its call option to acquire a majority stake in the company. This acquisition marks yet another large Japanese company – after Mitsubishi, Nikon and Ricoh – making significant investments to expand their presence in metal AM. It also indicates a deepening collaboration between the two companies, aiming to leverage their combined expertise to drive innovation and meet the evolving demands of various industrial sectors.​
Sodick, established in 1976, has been at the forefront of manufacturing high-speed and high-precision machine tools, including electrical discharge machines (EDMs), machining centers, and metal 3D printers. Since entering the metal 3D printer market in 2014, Sodick has primarily focused on the mold sector, enhancing molding performance by incorporating 3D printed cooling channels. This focus has been largely centered within Japan, capitalizing on the company’s existing sales network.​
Prima Additive, a subsidiary of the Prima Industrie Group, specializes in developing, manufacturing, and selling metal 3D printers. The company operates across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, marine, medical and dental, energy, and jewelry. Their product lineup encompasses multiple types of metal 3D printers, such as laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition systems, catering primarily to the European market. Prima Additive is also actively engaged in forward-looking research and development, participating in several key EU and Italian research and innovation projects in advanced manufacturing systems, automation, and digital transformation.
The complementary strengths of Sodick and Prima Additive across industrial sectors, product portfolios, and sales regions drive the acquisition. Sodick’s expertise in high-precision machining technologies, particularly in precision molding for metal 3D printers, aligns seamlessly with Prima Additive’s diverse product lineup and application capabilities. This strategic alignment is expected to play a critical role in expanding the Japanese market, especially as the Japanese government promotes domestic production of critical components with complex geometries using metal 3D printing.​
The metal AM industry is projected to grow at a high compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20% over the next decade. Through this collaboration, both companies anticipate a significant leap in their capabilities, aiming to meet the growing automotive, aerospace, and medical demand. The synergy between Sodick’s precision machining and Prima Additive’s advanced laser technologies is expected to result in innovative solutions that cater to a broader range of industrial applications.​
Following the completion of the transaction, Prima Additive’s headquarters will remain in Italy. The existing management team, including CEO Paolo Calefati, will continue to lead the company, playing a pivotal role in Sodick’s strategy for growth in advanced laser technologies. This continuity ensures that the company’s vision and operational expertise remain aligned with its strategic objectives, fostering a seamless integration and collaborative environment between the two entities.
In the transaction, Prima Additive’s shareholders were assisted by Scouting Capital Advisors as financial advisors, with a team led by Managing Partner Giuseppe Mario Sartorio, Director Richard Pratissoli, and Associate Director Andrea Isacchi. For legal matters, Prima Industrie was supported by Studio Legale Chiomenti, with a team composed of PartnerAvv. Luigi Vaccaro, Managing Associate Avv. Tommaso Caciolli, Associate Avv. Gianluca Riccardino, and Associate Avv. Adalberto Bruno Rurale. Frontier Management assisted Sodick as financial advisor with a team led by Managing Director Mikinao Ikarashi. PedersoliGattai acted as legal advisor with a team consisting of Partner Avv. Jean-Daniel Regna-Gladinand Senior Associate Avv. Gregorio Lamberti.
