Fractory Appoints New CEO to Lead Cloud Manufacturing Innovation

Industry Veteran Takes Helm as Company Secures Additional Funding

Fractory has announced the appointment of Bjoern Klaas as its new Chief Executive Officer and secured a fresh round of funding. 

Klaas joins the cloud manufacturing platform with extensive leadership experience in digital manufacturing, positioning the company for its next growth phase.

The new CEO brings 25 years of industry expertise, most recently serving for seven years as Managing Director at Protolabs Europe. His background includes senior leadership roles at several manufacturing companies, including PolyOne, Color Matrix, Colorant Chromatics, and Clariant International, giving him comprehensive insights into both process and discrete manufacturing operations.

Klaas will focus on enhancing Fractory’s vision of creating an interconnected manufacturing ecosystem with several key priorities:

• Developing a multi-stage, connected manufacturing network that streamlines production processes
• Delivering world-class international manufacturing services with consistent quality and reliability
• Strengthening data-driven, collaborative, and sustainable business practices across operations
• Generating both economic and ecological advantages for customers and manufacturing partners

Fractory’s next development phase will emphasise scaling operations by maximising the platform’s automation capabilities, digital workflow systems (including aggregation, pooling and sequencing), and supplier network optimisation. The company aims to build on its technological foundation while expanding its market reach under Klaas’s leadership.

Martin Vares, COO and Co-Founder, Fractory: 

Former CEO Martin Vares will transition to the role of Chief Operating Officer, focusing on nurturing existing customer and supplier relationships while ensuring operational excellence. This strategic leadership realignment allows Fractory to benefit from both innovative entrepreneurship and seasoned industry leadership.

Currently, Fractory employs over 50 staff members across three strategic office locations: one in Manchester serving the UK market and two in the Nordics.

Reflecting on the leadership change, Martin Vares, COO and Co-Founder of Fractory, stated: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for me personally and for Fractory. After seven years of full commitment from the founding team—myself, Rein Torm, and Joosep Merelaht—attracting a top industry leader validates what we’ve built. Bjoern brings valuable expertise and fresh perspectives while challenging us to grow. This combination of entrepreneurial energy and relevant experience preserves and enhances Fractory’s core identity.”

Vares acknowledged mixed emotions about stepping away from the CEO position but expressed confidence in the transition: “There’s an obvious element of bittersweetness having guided Fractory for the past seven years. However, the overwhelming feeling is one of positivity. Bjoern and I share a vision for how a seamlessly connected manufacturing ecosystem can transform the industry. I’m looking forward to concentrating my efforts on our core manufacturing operations.”

Bjoern Klaas, CEO, Fractory:

New CEO Bjoern Klaas commented: “Fractory provides the most sophisticated approach to cloud-based metal fabrication available today. By digitising and automating the entire manufacturing process from quoting through production to delivery, we create value for both customers and manufacturing partners. This model addresses current industry challenges while shaping manufacturing’s future. I’m eager to scale these innovations further, building on the team’s remarkable achievements.”

About Fractory: 

“The company offers immediate access to various manufacturing processes, including laser cutting and metal bending solutions, CNC machining, finishing, assembly, and high-volume production across multiple industries.

Fractory has contributed to major projects across the rail, energy, defence, aerospace, marine, and machine-building sectors. The company has supported everything from cutting-edge prototypes to full production lines, demonstrating its versatility and technical capabilities.

Currently, Fractory employs over 50 staff members across three strategic office locations—one in Manchester serving the UK market and two in the Nordics supporting Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and broader European operations. This distributed presence allows the company to maintain close relationships with regional manufacturing partners while serving a diverse international client base.