We were delighted to welcome Kai Wegner (CDU), the governing mayor of Berlin, for a visit to our office. This was a particularly important meeting for us, as the political framework surrounding Additive Manufacturing plays a vital role in its future success. Mr. Wegner was not only engaged and supportive, he also provided valuable assistance by offering to connect us with key contacts. Our team truly felt that he had a natural understanding of the challenges facing AM and showed a genuine eagerness to help us tackle them.
During the meeting, we discussed the challenges that need to be addressed to ensure wider adoption of AM in Germany, including growing international competition, the need for better communication with small and medium-sized enterprises, finding skilled personnel, and overcoming technical and regulatory barriers. However, political support will be essential for accelerating AM’s broader implementation. This support could come in many forms: developing a national and Europe-wide AM strategy, targeted funding programs for rapid economic implementation, and more support for research and development. Most importantly, we also emphasized the need to integrate AM into the curricula of educational institutions to build a skilled workforce for the future.
Throughout the visit, Mr. Wegner was particularly drawn to the many different 3D-printed exhibits we showcased, which spanned various sectors. As a parting gift, we presented him with a 3D-printed metal television tower – Berlin’s iconic symbol. Just like our technology, it represents something digital, that connects people, and helps overcome boundaries.
It’s meetings like these that help raise awareness of AM and attract political advocates who can drive the change we need. With Mr. Wegner’s visit, we’ve gained a strong ally, and we look forward to continuing this promising collaboration to shape the future of AM in Berlin, Germany and beyond.
