Key Takeaways
- Caracol, Designtech, and LAMÁQUINA are partnering to build a large-format 3D printing hub in Milan, Italy
- The hub aims to capitalize on Milan's expertise in design, furniture, architecture, and construction
- The partnership seeks to expand to the broader Italian economy and potentially connect with businesses in other countries
- Foreign direct investment in Italy has been rising, making it an attractive location for investment
Introduction to the Partnership
The city of Milan is set to become a hub for additive manufacturing (AM) with the announcement of a partnership between Caracol, Designtech, and LAMÁQUINA. This collaboration brings together three innovative companies to create a large-format 3D printing facility, leveraging Milan's rich history of design expertise.
The Partners
Caracol, a manufacturer of extrusion systems, including the Heron, is joining forces with Designtech, a Milan-based business incubator firm, and LAMÁQUINA, a design consultancy and AM services provider based in Barcelona. This partnership combines the strengths of each company, with Caracol providing its expertise in large-format 3D printing, Designtech offering its knowledge of the Milanese design scene, and LAMÁQUINA contributing its experience in design and AM services.
Comparison of Partners' Expertise
| Company | Expertise |
|---|---|
| Caracol | Large-format 3D printing, extrusion systems (Heron) |
| Designtech | Business incubation, design expertise (Milan-based) |
| LAMÁQUINA | Design consultancy, AM services (Barcelona-based) |
Goals and Expectations
The partnership aims to create a hub that will capitalize on Milan's unique blend of design expertise and innovative approaches across industries such as furniture, architecture, and construction. With a long-term goal of expanding to the broader Italian economy, the partnership seeks to connect with businesses in many other countries, taking advantage of Italy's rising foreign direct investment.
Economic Context
Italy has been experiencing a rise in foreign direct investment, with a growth rate of 10.3% in 2020, according to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This trend is expected to continue, making Italy an attractive location for investment. The partnership between Caracol, Designtech, and LAMÁQUINA is well-positioned to take advantage of this trend, with the potential to create new opportunities for businesses in Italy and beyond.
Bottom Line
The partnership between Caracol, Designtech, and LAMÁQUINA to build a large-format 3D printing hub in Milan marks an exciting development in the additive manufacturing industry. With its unique combination of design expertise, innovative approaches, and rising foreign direct investment, Italy is poised to become a hub for AM innovation. As the partnership expands to the broader Italian economy and potentially connects with businesses in other countries, it has the potential to create new opportunities for growth and collaboration.