EOS, a developer of additive manufacturing (AM) systems, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of its newest U.S. facility in Pflugerville, Texas.

The primary function of the Pflugerville location is to provide increased service and support for EOS’ growing North America market, which topped $100 million in fiscal year 2015.

Among the site’s offerings are:

–an innovations laboratory (iLab), where EOS application engineers interact directly with customers. Here materials and systems testing will support EOS experts as they directly work with customers and identify tailored solutions that overcome design and manufacturing hurdles for specific end parts.

–a working showroom containing the full range of the company’s AM systems. The showroom provides benchmarking and hands-on training for customers, as well as “AM Experience” tours.

–an AM Ventures division to help bring start-up ideas to reality. This entity helps people get their ideas to market using AM. AM Ventures develops the manufacturing side of an idea, while the startup handles marketing and sales. This program is the first of its kind for EOS globally.

Other offerings include custom modifications to systems or software performed in-house, service hotline and aftermarket ordering, and application consulting.

EOS has experienced substantial global growth in recent years—and particularly within the U.S. “Our Pflugerville investment is a direct reflection of our ongoing success,” says EOS Founder and CEO, Dr. Hans J. Langer. “Additive manufacturing is rapidly becoming a more widely accepted solution to complex manufacturing requirements across a broad spectrum of industries.”

Pflugerville is opening with approximately 30 employees, a number that is expected to double within the next two years. EOS Materials, also known as Advanced Laser Materials (ALM), dedicated to the production and blending of polymer powder for both EOS systems and other powder-based AM technologies, will remain in Temple, TX.

The Novi, MI site will also remain as an important regional technical center for EOS of North America, Inc. Future plans to further expand within the U.S. include the Boston and Northern California regions.