Hartwig, Inc., a long-established machine tool distributor, ended its additive manufacturing (AM) business at the end of 2025. A former member of Hartwig’s AM team, Jens Kautzor, recently shared the information on LinkedIn. He took the opportunity to announce a new venture, NB Additive, a company focused on production-ready AM workflows.
Beyond this individual transition, Hartwig’s involvement in additive manufacturing dates back to before the mid-2020s, when the company progressively integrated AM as a solution line as the technology matured and customer demand grew.
Over the years, partnerships with technology providers such as EOS, Solukon, Markforged, and FormAlloy marked this AM journey. It also included reseller agreements, notably with Axtra3D, to offer AM equipment and support.
Hartwig’s decision echoes a broader trend observed across the additive manufacturing market in 2024–2025, where several distributors and OEMs have reassessed their AM strategies amid slower-than-expected industrial adoption and persistent pressure on margins.
As highlighted in 3D ADEPT Media’s 2025 Year in Review, the market has entered a phase of consolidation and selective retrenchment, with companies refocusing on core competencies, profitable verticals, and long-term service revenues rather than expansive portfolio strategies.
In this context, Hartwig’s exit from AM reflects less a rejection of the technology itself than a pragmatic response to a maturing, more demanding market environment.
THE 3D ADEPT WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
The industry moves fast. Stay ahead.
Every week, the latest additive manufacturing news, in-depth features and real-world applications, straight to your inbox. Plus, be the first to know when a new issue of 3D ADEPT Mag is out.
Free · One email a week · Unsubscribe anytime
Clicking loads our email provider’s sign-up form, including its analytics and Google’s anti-bot protection. You’re only subscribed if you complete the sign-up. Read our privacy policy.