In its June Issue—celebrating its twentieth year in print—TCT Magazine published its Top 20 Most Influential People list, lauding those thought leaders of the additive manufacturing and 3D printing industry. Heading up the Top 5 is Wilfried Vancraen founder and CEO of Materialise, followed by 3D Systems President and CEO, Abe Reichental. Coming in third was Terry Wohlers, president of AM consulting firm Wohlers Associates, and MakerBot Founder and CEO Bre Pettis and Shapeways CEO Peter Weijmarshausen came in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Wilfried Vancraen: Top of the list
TCT Editor Jim Woodcock wrote:
“Fried Vancraen is a worthy winner—having met him several times I am Always struck by his thoughtful nature and quiet manner as much as his vision, passion and commitment to Materialise and the wider industry. The other names on the Top 5 are also truly representative of AM and 3D printing now. From Abe Reichental’s ever-growing 3D Systems empire to Bre Pettis’ open-source MakerBot operation, these individuals and their companies are shaping the industry today and for the future.”
TCT compiled its Top 20 People list from the results of a reader poll, their last such poll having taken place back in 2007. According to Woodcock, the industry—or, at the very least, readers’ perceptions of the industry—has changed so drastically that many of the A-Listers (or would that be I-listers?) five years ago didn’t even make the top 40 this time around.
Notables who rounded out the Top 20 include:
- Chuck Hull, founder of 3D Systems and inventor of sterolithography, was one of few who made both the 2007 and 2012 lists
- Adrian Bowyer, originator of the worldwide RepRap Project
- David Reis, who will take over as CEO of the combined Stratays/Objet later this year
- Kai Backman, Tinkercad founder and CEO
- Scott Crump, president, chairman and CEO of Stratasys
- Ping Fu, cofounder of 3D software and technology firm Geomagic
- Todd Grimm, president of independent consulting firm T. A. Grimm & Associates
- Lisa Harouni, cofounder and CEO of 3D printing software firm Digital Forming
- Hans Langer founder and CEO of EOS
- Alice Taylor, a cofounder of MakieLab, which recently alpha-launched makies.me, an online 3D printed “action doll” service (these are a little creepy for my taste, but don’t let me sway you; see for yourself)
Finally, Woodcock’s pick for Editor’s Choice was Graham Tromans—president of AM/RP consulting firm G.P. Tromans Associates—of whom, Woodcock writes, “Throughout my two years on TCT, Graham has always been on hand with advice, information and support. We’ve closed a few bars together too…”
Which makes it sound like this should have been the Top 20 Under the Influence list.
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