The Amazon of Additive Manufacturing with Markus Seibold of MakerVerse

October 23, 2024 | Reading time: 5 min

 

In a recent episode of the Additive Snack podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes back Markus Seibold, a familiar voice to loyal listeners. After originally appearing on the podcast during his tenure as VP of Additive Manufacturing at Siemens Energy, Markus now joins us as the co-founder and CEO of MakerVerse. This episode delves into Markus’s journey from a corporate powerhouse to entrepreneurial leadership, exploring the intricacies of MakerVerse’s innovative platform in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry.

 

The genesis of MakerVerse

Fabian opens the episode by highlighting Markus’s notable career transition. Initially, Markus was deeply rooted in Siemens Energy, where he played a pivotal role in advancing its AM capabilities. Under his leadership, a team of 200 engineers spearheaded the mass production of high-temperature gas turbine components using state-of-the-art laser powder diffusion printers.

However, a recurring challenge started to surface. Siemens Energy’s AM team was becoming more specialized, focusing on niche applications while numerous internal requests for broader AM solutions were left unmet. This gap in the market planted the seeds for what would eventually become MakerVerse. Markus envisioned a platform akin to Amazon, tailored for industrial advanced manufacturing, offering a comprehensive and reliable solution for on-demand manufacturing needs across various technologies.

 

The MakerVerse vision: democratizing advanced manufacturing

Markus explains that the core mission of MakerVerse is to revolutionize the on-demand manufacturing sector by addressing three key challenges:

  1. Fragmented demand vs. supply: The industry is characterized by a mismatch in supply and demand, with clients struggling to find suppliers for specific manufacturing needs. MakerVerse aims to bridge this gap by offering a consolidated platform featuring globally vetted suppliers.

  2. Manual processes: Traditional manufacturing request processes are slow and cumbersome, often involving multiple emails and manual comparisons of quotes. MakerVerse leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to automate these processes, saving time and reducing errors.

  3. Global supply chain instabilities: Events such as the Red Sea crisis, geopolitical conflicts, and natural disasters have highlighted the vulnerabilities in global supply chains. MakerVerse’s robust system aims to mitigate these risks by ensuring reliable part sourcing from diverse geographical locations.

MakerVerse isn’t just a matchmaker; it’s a comprehensive solution provider. The platform offers instant quotes, leverages a globally vetted supply chain, and manages order fulfillment and quality control, ensuring clients receive their parts with high reliability and speed.

Groundbreaking AI technologies

A key differentiator for MakerVerse is its use of advanced AI technologies. Markus elaborates on how AI drives various aspects of the platform:

  • Automated pricing: By deeply understanding 3D geometries from STL and step files and correlating them with product manufacturing information from 2D drawings, MakerVerse offers precise and instant quotes. This advanced auto-quoting system, recently launched, utilizes sophisticated machine learning algorithms trained on millions of data points.

  • Supplier selection: AI helps select the best suppliers based on past performance, technology fit (e.g. those experienced in SLS vs. vacuum casting), and current capacity, considering factors like public holidays and logistical challenges.

  • Email-based RFQ processing: The AI technology also processes email-based requests for quotes, extracting detailed information and integrating it into MakerVerse’s standardized system. This ensures even manual requests are handled with the same efficiency as digital ones.

By reducing human judgment and error in these critical processes, AI plays a transformative role in MakerVerse’s operations, making the entire manufacturing process more streamlined and efficient.

MakerVerse’s Ideal Customers

When discussing the platform’s target audience, Markus identifies three primary customer segments:

  1. Scale-Ups: Companies that have secured post-Series A funding and need to produce small batches of prototypes or initial production runs, be it product robots or components for rockets.
  2. Mid-Sized Companies: Especially in Germany’s Mittelstand, firms often require global sourcing but lack extensive supply chain teams. They may also use MakerVerse as an extended procurement partner for technologies beyond their in-house capabilities.
  3. Large Project Clients: Companies with extensive bills of materials that find value in MakerVerse managing the complexity of sourcing parts from multiple suppliers, particularly for high-mix, low-volume projects.

These segments benefit from MakerVerse’s digital efficiency, AI-driven processes, and extensive vetted supply chains.

 

A Forward-Looking Perspective

Looking ahead, Markus sees three major development areas for MakerVerse:

  1. Expanding Technology Offering: Continuously adding technologies beyond 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and rapid casting to become a comprehensive one-stop shop for manufacturing needs.

  2. Regional Expansion: Extending their footprint from Europe to North America, delivering MakerVerse’s revolutionary platform to a broader audience.

  3. Enhancing Digital Products: Continuously refining digital technologies and supplier management systems to streamline part manufacturing and sourcing further.

Markus believes that the future of manufacturing will be heavily reliant on digitalization and AI. These tools will help manage supply chain complexities, anticipate global crises, and ensure high reliability in part delivery and quality.

 

The Future of MakerVerse and Manufacturing

Markus Seibold’s transition from Siemens Energy to CEO of MakerVerse illustrates a visionary blend of corporate experience and entrepreneurial spirit. MakerVerse is set to redefine on-demand manufacturing by leveraging digital technology, AI, and an extensive global supply chain network. By addressing critical inefficiencies and providing a streamlined, reliable, and efficient solution, MakerVerse is not just keeping up with the future of manufacturing — it’s shaping it.

As we wrap up, Fabian and Markus reflect on the journey so far and the exciting road ahead. For those interested in seeing how MakerVerse continues to innovate and impact the manufacturing world, staying tuned to the Additive Snack podcast will provide ongoing insights into this dynamic and evolving industry.

Stay connected for future episodes of the Additive Snack podcast, where we unpack the limitless potential of AM and advanced technologies across various sectors.

 

Connect with Markus Seibold

Follow Markus Seibold on LinkedIn to stay connected and gain further insights into his professional journey and expertise.