How much funding has FARO raised?

FARO has raised $920M in total funding. Key investors include Public Investors; AMETEK, Inc..

Who is the CEO of FARO?

Peter Lau is the CEO of FARO. The company was founded in 1981.

Where is FARO located?

FARO is headquartered in Korntal-Münchingen, Germany.

What funding stage is FARO at?

FARO is currently at the Active stage.

How many employees does FARO have?

FARO has approximately 501-1000 employees.

FARO

Name: AM Companies Database
Creator: AMPulse
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

HardwareKorntal-Münchingen, GermanyFounded 1981· One of 1740 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Provides portable CMMs, laser scanners, and metrology software (FaroArm, CAM2) for in-process quality control and reverse engineering in additive manufacturing, enabling shop-floor inspection of printed parts without fixed CMM infrastructure.

CEO / Founder: Peter Lau
Team Size: 501-1000
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $920M
Latest Round: Acquired
Key Investors: Public Investors; AMETEK, Inc.

Technology & Products

Key Products

Portable measurement equipment (FaroArm), laser scanners, 3D imagers, and metrology software (CAM2).

Technological Advantage

CLAIMED: Industry-leading portable CMM platform used by 12,000+ customers globally via parent network. VERIFIED: ISO-17025 registered calibration lab; Formnext 2023 and 2025 exhibitor confirming active AM market presence; partnership with Wibu-Systems for AM image processing workflows. Advantages are partially defensible through installed base and brand recognition but core hardware technology is largely replicable by competitors.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Eliminates the need for dedicated CMM rooms by enabling portable, shop-floor 3D measurement of AM parts, reducing inspection downtime and enabling closed-loop quality control for metal and polymer printed components.

How They Differentiate

Portable CMM form factor (FaroArm) vs. fixed CMM offerings from Hexagon and Leica; integrated CAM2 software for CAD-based reporting vs. standalone measurement tools; broad portfolio spanning contact measurement arms to non-contact laser scanners and 3D imagers covering full range of AM inspection needs.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Manufacturers in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, defense, energy, engineering, and industrial automation requiring on-floor dimensional inspection and reverse engineering

Industry Verticals

Additive Manufacturing; Industrial Manufacturing; Aerospace/Defense; Automotive; Energy; Construction; Public Safety

Competitors

Hexagon (Leica), Trimble, Topcon, API Metrology, Artec3D, Creaform

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Parent FARO Technologies reported sales of $152M and net income of $8.2M (2006); parent employs approximately 1,400-2,000 globally; European subsidiary employs 501-1,000 (2016 data); exhibited at Formnext 2023 and 2025.

Major Milestones

1981: FARO Technologies (parent) founded in the USA; ~1997: FARO Technologies IPO on NASDAQ under ticker FARO; Early 2000s: European HQ established in Korntal-Münchingen near Stuttgart, Germany; ISO-9001 certification and ISO-17025 calibration laboratory registration achieved; 2023: Exhibited at Formnext with AM-focused metrology solutions; 2025: Exhibited at Formnext 2025 confirming continued AM market focus

Notable Customers

Boeing (confirmed $325K contract, FARO press release); Lockheed Martin; General Motors; Audi; Volkswagen; BMW; DaimlerChrysler/Mercedes-Benz; Honda; Nissan; Airbus; British Aerospace; Bell Helicopter; Caterpillar; General Electric; Siemens; Johnson Controls

https://www.faro.com

Why this company matters

FARO Europe GmbH, the German subsidiary of publicly traded FARO Technologies, occupies a distinctive position in additive manufacturing quality assurance. While most precision inspection requires moving parts to a dedicated CMM room, FARO's portable FaroArm and laser scanners allow operators to measure metal and polymer printed components directly on the shop floor. This reduces inspection downtime and supports closed-loop quality control for processes such as LPBF and MJF.

The company's core offering combines portable measurement hardware — contact arms, laser line scanners, and 3D imagers — with CAM2 metrology software that generates CAD-based inspection reports. FARO's ISO-17025 registered calibration laboratory in Korntal-Münchingen provides traceable accuracy certification, a requirement for aerospace and automotive tier-1 suppliers. The company has exhibited at Formnext in 2023 and 2025, signaling sustained investment in the AM vertical.

FARO's customer base includes major aerospace primes (Boeing, confirmed via a $325K contract; Airbus; Lockheed Martin) and automotive OEMs (General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, Audi). These manufacturers use FARO systems for first-article inspection, reverse engineering of legacy parts, and in-process dimensional verification of printed components. The company's partnership with Wibu-Systems extends its workflow into AM image processing.

The primary competitive risk is that core portable CMM hardware is increasingly replicable by rivals such as Hexagon, Creaform, and API Metrology. FARO's defensibility rests on its installed base of over 12,000 customers, brand recognition in metrology, and integrated software ecosystem. However, the core differentiation — portability versus fixed CMM infrastructure — remains a clear value proposition for AM shops that lack dedicated inspection facilities.