9T Labs races for further growth
20.04.2022During the past year, Swiss manufacturing solution OEM saw a growing interest in its hybrid system for structural carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. Doubling the team and entering new market segments contributed to the company’s strong growth – the current year remains promising with more hires, a base in the United States and sales growth over the horizon.
9T Labs’ hybrid technology platform enables high-performance structural parts in challenging small-to-medium size and thick sections to be produced in carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTP) in production volumes ranging from 100 to 10,000 parts/year. The company’s Red Series platform combines simulation tools and 3D printing with compression moulding in matched metal dies, providing a range of benefits, including rapid cycle times, high production rates, and high repeatability and reproducibility. Companies, large and small, can thus produce high-performance parts that are significantly stiffer, stronger, and lighter than metals and plastics.
The relationship with the customer begins with a proof of concept to develop prototypes, then small series/limited series, and finally building up the technology at the customer’s site for series production(s). Last year, the startup closed about 24 new collaboration projects in various fields, including advanced aerial mobility, luxury (watchmaking, eyewear), human exoskeletons, and for the first time, in the medical and aerospace field. In addition to industrial projects, 9T Labs also delivered commercial systems to customers in research centers, universities, the metal-forming industry, and aerospace Tier1-suppliers.
A further 21 employees, including new sales territory managers to cover all European countries, joined the startup, bringing its headcount to 45 people – more vacancies are open. This rapid team expansion aligns with the company’s growth strategy.
Bigger plans for 2022
Thanks to the recent $17 million series A investment round, 9T Labs anticipates achieving positive results in the new year, underpinned by sales growth and expansion in the United States. By the end of 2022, its first series production of advanced composites parts produced using its patented Additive Fusion Technology will become commercially available. The team also plans to broaden its technology to cover applications with a production volume beyond 100’000 per annum.
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