HOUSTON - Baker Hughes, a global energy technology company, has successfully implemented Oqton Manufacturing OS, a software solution for additive manufacturing (AM), at its central facilities in Houston, Texas. This deployment, a result of a commercial software agreement with Oqton, a subsidiary of 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD), marks a significant advancement in the use of AM technology in regulated industries.
The Oqton Manufacturing OS is designed to streamline the manufacturing workflow from part design to inspection and certification, thus improving efficiency and scalability for Baker Hughes. By integrating this software, the company can now manage its AM processes more effectively, with real-time monitoring capabilities that have led to a 98% reduction in active monitoring engineering time and an 18% reduction in costs associated with scrap.
The software provides a comprehensive solution that covers order management, engineering, digital warehousing, and production monitoring. It is tailored to meet the high reliability requirements of regulated industries, ensuring full traceability from raw material to finished component.
Jim Apostolides, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Operational Excellence at Baker Hughes, highlighted the software’s ability to automate complex processes and maintain quality assurance at scale. The successful implementation of Oqton Manufacturing OS is expected to catalyze the use of additive manufacturing in highly regulated industries.
The global manufacturing operations management software market is anticipated to grow significantly, with projections exceeding $52 billion by 2032. This growth is driven by the demand for manufacturing automation and the need for efficient production methods.
The information for this article is based on a press release statement.
In other recent news, 3D Systems Corporation has faced a series of adjustments from financial analysts. Lake Street Capital Markets reduced its price target for the company to $4.00 from $6.00, still maintaining a Buy rating. Similarly, Loop Capital adjusted its outlook, reducing the price target to $2.00 from $4.50, while advising investors to maintain their holdings. Cantor Fitzgerald also lowered its 12-month price target to $3.75 from $5.50, yet kept an Overweight rating.
These revisions followed the company's report of a decline in consolidated revenue for the first half of 2024, primarily due to weaker hardware sales. Despite this, 3D Systems announced a nearly $250 million contract in the dental sector and plans for the expansion of new dental technologies. The company also highlighted reduced long-term debt and strong cash reserves.
In a recent earnings call, 3D Systems projected full-year revenues between $450 million and $460 million, driven by anticipated sales growth in the latter half of 2024. The company has amended its 2015 Incentive Plan, introducing 4 million new shares available for awards and extending the plan to 2034. It also regained compliance with New York Stock Exchange listing standards. These recent developments reflect the company's strategic plans amidst the challenges and opportunities it faces.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of Baker Hughes' strategic implementation of 3D Systems' Oqton Manufacturing OS, it's pertinent to consider the financial health and market performance of 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) itself. InvestingPro data shows that 3D Systems has a market capitalization of $251.12 million as of the last twelve months leading up to Q2 2024. This valuation reflects the company's presence in the market, albeit with a notable P/E ratio of -0.71, indicating that investors are currently facing losses on their investments relative to the company's earnings.
Revenue for 3D Systems during the same period was reported at $454.8 million, with a gross profit margin of 41.28%. However, the company experienced a revenue decline of 11.59%, which suggests challenges in growth despite the positive gross profit margin. The operating income margin stood at -21.58%, underscoring the company's struggle to translate its gross profits into operational profitability.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that 3D Systems is quickly burning through cash, which is a critical factor for investors to consider, especially in the context of Baker Hughes' adoption of their software, which may impact future cash flows. Additionally, the stock price has shown considerable volatility, with a 12.15% drop in the past week alone, and analysts are not expecting the company to be profitable this year. For investors interested in a deeper dive into the company's prospects, there are 17 additional InvestingPro Tips available, providing a more comprehensive analysis at https://www.investing.com/pro/DDD.
These financial insights and InvestingPro Tips offer a nuanced view of 3D Systems' market position, which could be influential for stakeholders in Baker Hughes and other companies considering the integration of 3D Systems' technology into their operations.
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