The company now plans to focus on strengthening and expanding its service and sales network in Canada, Mexico and the US. SLM Solutions is now represented in about 38 countries worldwide. The new subsidiary, SLM Solutions NA Inc will provide SLM’s whole range of products with a focus on additive manufacturing systems, particularly the SLM (selective laser melting) technology. Vacuum casting and metal part casting systems will also be available. "We recognise a growing trend towards additive manufacturing systems offering high precision manufacturing solutions for prototypes and small series parts in the US," said H.J. Ihde, CEO and president of the SLM Solutions GmbH. "Our systems give companies the chance to optimize their production in a more efficient and independent way." Jim Fendrick vice president of SLM Solutions NA Inc, stated: "We can provide a number of solutions to our customers, from building prototype parts with one of our three standard machine offerings, with any of our 10 metal materials; to adding various options like closed loop material handling and process monitoring for series production of consistent metal parts, or even helping our customer create a special process with custom designed capabilities." In May 2012, SLM also exhibited its selective laser melting systems at Rapid 2012 which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
