FIT Additive Manufacturing Group, Caterpillar Forge Strategic Alliance

FIT AG and Caterpillar Inc. have entered into a strategic alliance agreement. Under the agreement, FIT AG and Caterpillar will focus on design and printing for additive manufacturing of aluminum and titanium parts.

The strategic alliance will allow them to take advantage of the benefits of additive manufacturing specifically in the heavy equipment manufacturing space. Caterpillar will bring product-specific knowledge and FIT AG will bring knowledge for additive design. This relationship will complement the ongoing work in Caterpillar’s Additive Manufacturing Factory. The strategic alliance will also strengthen FIT AG’s commitment to the industrial equipment market.

“We are thrilled to enter into a strategic alliance with Caterpillar,” Carl Fruth, CEO of FIT AG, says. “Caterpillar is a world leader in many markets, which will benefit greatly from additive manufacturing. However, this requires innovative technologies and new thinking combined with experience and deep know-how. Our companies complement each other with their respective strengths.”

“Caterpillar has a long history of creating innovative products designed to fit the needs of our customers and entering into a strategic alliance with a leader in additive manufacturing will help further that tradition,” says Stacey DelVecchio, Caterpillar additive manufacturing project manager. “Not only will Caterpillar now have access to FIT AG’s cutting-edge technologies in additive manufacturing but this alliance will also help accelerate our adoption of 3D printing.”

The strategic alliance between FIT AG and Caterpillar will have an initial three-year term and will evolve to the next step based on the success of the alliance.

For more information, visit Caterpillar and FIT AG.

Sources: Press materials received from the company.