Yoav Stern’s challenge
How to cure Markforged and Desktop Metal of their mutual hate?
At this moment, it seems that Yoav Stern has outplayed everyone, starting with Stratasys.
Although last year he didn’t achieve his main goal — acquiring Stratasys — truth is it had slim chances of success from the start.
Yet, at the same time, he played a key role in disrupting what seemed to be a certain acquisition of Desktop Metal by Stratasys, only to acquire Desktop Metal himself a few months later at a much lower price. That move was as unexpected as it was brilliant (and painful for Stratasys’ guys).
Boston Celtics vs. Desktop Metal, or how to lose a tons of money on 3D printing
The embarrassing story of the recent Unicorn of Additive Manufacturing.
And now, another major surprise — the acquisition of the financially troubled Markforged for $115 million — a fraction of what the company was worth just two years ago. Once again, it’s a severe jab at Stratasys, for whom Markforged is a small but highly irritating competitor.
Yes, beyond the financial aspect, Yoav Stern is ruthlessly trolling Stratasys. And he is doing it in full view of the entire AM industry. And Stratasys, entangled in its own problems and preparing for a long legal battle with Bambu Lab, can hardly respond.
After Nano Dimension’s latest acquisition, rumors are circulating about who could be next. Could it be Velo3D, drifting toward bankruptcy? Or perhaps struggling Sinterit? Maybe one of the rising stars, Meltio or SPEE3D?
If Stratasys wanted to make a statement move and prove that it’s still a major player in the market, it would undoubtedly go for Velo3D — just to prove a point. But it doesn’t have the money for that…
And it’s not just the infamous $5 million valuation that Velo3D currently has on the stock market, but all the liabilities it carries, which amount to a much larger sum.
Or maybe Stratasys isn’t planning to buy anyone anymore — maybe it’s preparing for its own sale? After all, it recently announced a plan to buy back its shares from the market for about $50 million.
There are so many unknowns… and so many possible scenarios!
However, amidst all these considerations, a seemingly secondary issue has slipped under the radar. Something most observers have simply forgotten about, assuming it was a long-settled matter.
The mutual hatred between Markforged and Desktop Metal.
A feud expressed through many years of legal battles, which not only failed to lead to any groundbreaking events but also damaged both companies’ reputations, within the AM industry and in the eyes of customers.
Imagine this. Companies that for years — from the very beginning of one of them — have been locked in a vicious fight, are now under the wing of a single owner and, sooner or later, will have to start working together.
It’s worth noting that the executive authority of this new owner is Yoav Stern — a man who is very direct and ruthless in achieving his goals.
He is unlikely to tolerate insubordination. He will likely expect that the warring parties find a way to make peace.
The thing is, Ric Fulop isn’t just anyone either… He is not a man who will humbly bend the knee. He has achieved too much.
Ah, this could be a very intriguing show.
So maybe it’s worth remembering how it all started…?