Relaunch for Eindhoven-based 3D printing service Shapeways

Eindhoven-based 3D printing service Shapeways is making a relaunch. In doing so, only the Dutch production location in Eindhoven remains active.

This was announced by the administrator, Jeroen Tulfer, a partner at the law firm Boels Zanders. Shapeways was a spin-off from Philips. The company offered customers the opportunity to have their own designs 3D-printed, including at Shapeways’ Eindhoven factory. This factory housed at least twelve 3D printers, which can operate 24/7.

Shapeways also had a marketplace where designers could sell their creations. This shop was managed by Shapeways. However, designers could also open their own online shop and sell products directly to Shapeways visitors here.

Shapeways was an early player in the 3D printing service market. It was one of the first companies to make 3D printing technology accessible to designers worldwide. The company was founded in 2007 by Marleen Vogelaar, Peter Weijmarshausen and Robert Schouwenburg.

The organisation had branches in both the United States (US) and the Netherlands. The company was headquartered in Livonia in the US state of Michigan. The company filed for bankruptcy in the US in early July. The bankruptcy also affected the company's Eindhoven plant and dozens of employees.

Despite the bankruptcy, the Dutch branch of Shapeways will therefore not see the final curtain fall. The local Dutch management of Shapeways is setting up a new company for the restart: Manuevo. The Dutch branch of Shapeways will operate under this name for the time being. It is unclear whether the Shapeways name will eventually be used again. The restart will preserve 30 of the 53 jobs at Shapeways.

The bankruptcy of the US parent company does not come as a complete surprise; the company had been loss-making for years. Tulfer previously reported to Eindhovens Dagblad that there were sufficient orders, but in practice they did not reach the Netherlands.

Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: Pixabay / krzysztof