Fractory announces new CEO
Industry leader joins category-creating multi-stage cloud manufacturing company
Fractory announced that Bjoern Klaas has been appointed Chief Executive of Fractory, and they’ve secured another round of funding.
Bjoern—an experienced General Manager from the digital manufacturing industry—spent the last 7 years serving as Managing Director at Protolabs Europe. He brings over 25 years of knowledge and experience from the process and discrete manufacturing industry, having previously held other senior leadership positions at PolyOne, Color Matrix, Colorant Chromatics, and Clariant International.
Bjoern’s immediate focus at Fractory will be on further strengthening the vision of a multi-stage connected and sustainable manufacturing ecosystem:
- Building a multi-stage, connected manufacturing ecosystem
- Delivering a best-in-class international manufacturing service
- Enhancing a data-driven, collaborative, and sustainable business model
- Driving both economic and ecological benefits
The next phase for Fractory is about executing at scale—leveraging the platform’s strengths in automation, digital workflows (aggregation pooling, sequencing), and supplier network optimisation. Moving forward in a way that strengthens existing customer and supplier relationships will be an additional focus, led by ex-CEO Martin Vares as he moves into the COO role.
Martin Vares, COO and Co-Founder, Fractory:
‘This is an incredibly exciting moment, both for me personally and for Fractory as a business. As founders—me, Rein Torm, and Joosep Merelaht have been all-in for 7 years. The fact that we managed to attract a top player in our field is a testament to what we have built. Bjoern brings in valuable expertise, fresh ideas, and also challenges us. This union of entrepreneurial spirit and incredibly fitting experience means Fractory’s DNA remains not only intact but it gets enhanced.
There’s an obvious element of bittersweetness for me personally, having guided Fractory for the past seven years. However, the overwhelming feeling is one of positivity. Bjoern and I share a vision of how a seamlessly connected manufacturing ecosystem can revolutionise the industry, so I couldn’t have asked for a better person to pass the torch to. I look forward to focusing my energy on manufacturing: the core of our business.’
Bjoern Klaas, CEO, Fractory:
Fractory offers the most advanced and intelligent approach to cloud-based metal fabrication. By automating and digitally coordinating every step of the manufacturing process—from quoting to production to delivery—we create value for both customers and manufacturing partners. Fractory’s model doesn’t only solve today’s challenges, it’ll shape the future of the manufacturing industry. I’m excited to scale it further and build on the incredible work already done by Fractory’s team.
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About Fractory:
Fractory offers scalable manufacturing services for engineering businesses through their cloud-manufacturing platform and audited network of domestic and global manufacturing partners. Fractory provides instant access to manufacturing processes—including a range of metal cutting and bending solutions, CNC machining, finishing and assembly, and high-volume production in industries ranging from industrial to robotics.
Founded in 2017 by mechanical engineer-turned-entrepreneur Martin Vares, Fractory has worked on projects in the rail, energy, defence, aerospace, marine, and machine building industries. They’ve provided parts and support to major projects spanning multiple countries, cutting-edge prototypes, and full production lines.
Fractory has over 50 members of staff spread across three offices: one in Manchester servicing the UK, and two in the Nordics servicing Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and the wider Europe area.
