PodoPrinter has been acquired.
The Netherlands-based operation was merely a startup only a few years ago, but quickly developed an effective 3D printer for the footwear industry.
Their device, the SOLE, is indeed a 3D printer, but it’s really designed to print only one type of part: insoles. These are made using a belt system for continuous production, as well as a foaming filament that provides the softness required for insoles. All of this is driven by custom software developed by PodoPrinter.
Over the past few years, the company has gained customers and relationships. One, however, seems to have risen above the rest.
That would be their work with Qwadra, the producers of Arkad. Arkad is a specialized device for scanning and designing custom orthotics, with wide acceptance in the industry.
These two are a natural fit: one produces the insole/orthotic designs, and the other produces it from that design. The two have been working together for quite some time.
Now we learn that PodoPrinter has been acquired by Eqwal, the owner of Qwadra. Eqwal is a large organization that focuses on prosthetic solutions, and they operate in a number of areas.
The acquisition of PodoPrinter seems to be a very straightforward step, as the functionality directly complements their existing operations. PodoPrinter technology will now leverage Eqwal’s huge sales and distribution network, enabling the technology to be used by many more customers.
This is the end of PodoPrinter as a separate 3D printer company, but it also suggests a possible future for 3D printing.
For the vast majority of the 3D printing era, the devices have been “general purpose”. In most cases, that has resulted in a struggle to gain customers, convince managers that it is good to use the technology, and acquire investment from investors that don’t really understand how the technology could be used.
Some of those issues were simply not present in the PodoPrinter scenario: the device is designed to print insoles and orthotics, that’s all. We know what it’s supposed to do, and the business case for buying it is clear.
Do we need more application-specific 3D printers? Or should the industry continue to focus on general-purpose devices?
Via PodoPrinter, Eqwal and LinkedIn
