Nikon has signed an investment agreement with SLM Solutions, a leader in metal additive manufacturing (AM).
Nikon AM, a direct subsidiary of Nikon, has announced the launch of a voluntary public takeover offer for the acquisition of all outstanding shares of SLM. The total transaction value is €622m, and Nikon has already secured 61% of the total share capital of SLM on a fully diluted basis.
Toshikazu Umatate, CEO of Nikon, commented on the acquisition: “By acquiring SLM, Nikon is taking an important step towards our Vision 2030. We are focused on digital manufacturing as a growth driver and will create value through the promising market of metal additive manufacturing. Metal additive manufacturing will revolutionize mass-production by enabling our clients to manufacture highly complex parts, reduce cycle time, carbon emissions, energy costs and waste. Nikon and SLM share the vision that our technology-driven innovation will transform the future of manufacturing. This acquisition will be key to growing our digital manufacturing business.”
Sam O’Leary, CEO of SLM, added: “Nikon has more than a century of history in developing cutting-edge opto-electronic technology and precision equipment. I am excited for SLM to partner with Nikon to further extend our technology leadership position. We believe this transaction and partnership is very beneficial for all our stakeholders – shareholders, employees and customers alike.”
In its Vision 2030 statement, Nikon emphasised its strategic focus on digital manufacturing. Nikon believes that growth in digital manufacturing can best be achieved by the adoption of metal AM, an industrial process of layering metals.
The acquisition of SLM expands Nikon’s portfolio of Metal AM methods, which will enable Nikon to offer new solutions, win new business and expand its customer base. Nikon intends to provide holistic solutions to its diverse end-users at an accelerated pace and support major innovations in mass-production.
Nikon has said in the investment agreement that it intends for SLM’s current management team to continue to lead the company and execute its strategy. Nikon also underlined its commitment to secure the future of SLM’s employee base, operational structures such as works councils, as well as SLM’s headquarters in Lübeck and other material operations.
