Kevton Technologies Expands Manufacturing Portfolio with Major Seven-Unit Sapphire 3D Printer Investment

Strategic Partnership Strengthens Additive Manufacturing Capabilities

Kevton Technologies, the Houston-based subsidiary of contract manufacturer Kevton Industries, has made a significant commitment to advanced manufacturing by acquiring seven Sapphire 3D printers from Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE: VLD). This substantial order represents one of the largest-ever purchases of Velo3D equipment by a contract manufacturing partner and positions Kevton as a leading provider of additively manufactured components for demanding industries.

What This Partnership Means for Mission-Critical Industries

The acquisition addresses a critical shift occurring across aerospace, aviation, defense, and oil & gas sectors—a pronounced movement toward additive manufacturing for complex parts. Kevin Nguyen, President of Kevton Technologies, emphasized this market trend: “We’re seeing accelerating adoption of additive manufacturing across our customer base, particularly within aerospace. By partnering with Velo3D, we can maintain and strengthen our competitive advantage while serving evolving customer needs across all our key verticals.”

Kevton’s decision followed extensive evaluation of multiple additive manufacturing technology vendors. The company determined that Velo3D’s integrated ecosystem—combining software, hardware, and quality systems—could fundamentally transform its service offerings and unlock new manufacturing possibilities.

Operationalizing the Technology: Timeline and Capabilities

The first two Sapphire printers are expected to become operational in Kevton’s Houston facility during the first quarter of 2023. Once fully deployed, the seven-printer network will enable Kevton to produce complex metal components that traditional manufacturing methods cannot efficiently create. This capability complements Kevton’s existing services—including CNC turning, CNC milling, precision measurement, and wire EDM finishing—allowing the company to offer customers a comprehensive manufacturing solution.

The company’s extensive certifications (ISO 9000 and AS9100) ensure that these new additive manufacturing capabilities meet the stringent quality standards demanded by aerospace and defense contractors.

Why Velo3D’s Technology Stands Out

Velo3D’s metal additive manufacturing platform has gained substantial traction since its 2018 debut, particularly among aerospace innovators. Leading companies including SpaceX, Hermeus, Lockheed Martin, and Aerojet Rocketdyne have adopted the technology to manufacture parts with designs previously considered impossible to produce.

The company’s end-to-end solution comprises three integrated components: Flow (print preparation software), Sapphire (the printer family), and Assure (quality control system)—all powered by Velo3D’s proprietary Intelligent Fusion manufacturing process.

Market Perspective: The Broader Opportunity

Benny Buller, CEO of Velo3D, highlighted the market dynamics: “Additive manufacturing adoption is accelerating rapidly, and we’re still in the early phases of what this industry will become over the next decade. Organizations that invest in these capabilities today will be far better positioned to capture growth and market share as demand continues expanding.”

The Kevton-Velo3D partnership exemplifies a broader industry recognition that additive manufacturing is transitioning from niche applications to mainstream adoption in high-value industries. Contract manufacturers who establish these capabilities now are positioning themselves to serve next-generation customer demands.

About the Companies

Kevton Technologies provides comprehensive manufacturing services to space, aviation, defense, and energy sectors. Its integrated service model—combining traditional and additive manufacturing—serves customers requiring both precision engineering and design innovation.

Velo3D specializes in metal 3D printing technology that overcomes historical limitations of additive manufacturing. The company’s solution enables engineers and manufacturers to design and produce mission-critical metal parts without compromise, with successful deployments across space exploration, aviation, power generation, energy, and semiconductor industries.