CECIMO has established a new additive manufacturing (AM) committee, which will serve as the preeminent platform to discuss EU policy challenges and opportunities relevant to the AM field.
The organisation’s General Assembly has thus formalised its position as the European Association for the value chain of the AM industry within Europe. The committee will lean on the experience and knowledge of more than 350 organisations across 15 countries familiar with AM, and focus on vital subjects like workforce development, regulatory framework and AM-related statistics.
Building on the work of the existing AM Working Group, where CECIMO members debate policy and business subjects and suggest common steps, the AM Committee will look to drive the industrialisation of AM throughout Europe. It will serve as the umbrella to CECIMO’s technical, statistical, economic, business and communication AM activities.
Renishaw’s Corporate Manager, Stewart Lane has been appointed the Chairman of the CECIMO AM Committee, having served 18 years with the UK engineering company and three years on the board of CECIMO. He believes passionately in the potential of additive manufacturing, and by providing a platform for the companies driving the sector forward, hopes to see development and adoption continue.
“The future of European industry lies in the industrialisation of innovative technologies, such as additive manufacturing,” commented Lane. “With the creation of this committee, we are allowing all AM businesses to speak with a single, authoritative and expert voice in EU topics affecting their competitiveness, innovation and growth.”
“AM is quickly moving from prototyping to serial production in a variety of sectors,” added Mr Filip Geerts, the Director General of CECIMO. “We are on the verge of seeing the technology’s industrial uptake in Europe. Now more than ever, it is crucial to guarantee a permanent, expert-driven dialogue with EU policymakers, in order to create a thriving ecosystem for AM. Our association has been at the forefront of this effort for a very long time. With this committee, we are renewing our dedication to this objective.”