ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil says it created an ultra-fast 3D printer, investing millions, only to have three former employees and a former contractor steal the design, according to reports.

In June Jabil filed a lawsuit against Essentium and former Jabil staff members Erik Gjovik, Greg Ojeda, William Jack “Terry” MacNeish III, and Lars Uffhausen. Uffhausen, Gjovik and MacNeish are identified as Essentium cofounders and current executives. Ojeda, an Essentium cofounder, is now founder and CEO of RapidNPI.

Jabil says it began creating TenX in 2014, a 3D printer that could print 10x faster than other models on the market.

The firm’s lawsuit says, as early as 2016, Gjovik, Ojeda, and MacNeish planned to use the designs, technology and vendors involved with TenX to launch their own company.

The employees reportedly didn’t disclose their side venture to Jabil while working on the TenX project and used private emails and document storage, as well as pilfered vendors with which Jabil had developed relationships. In addition, the staff members are accused of using Jabil credit cards to purchase components to be used in “competing endeavors.”

The four named in the suit reportedly incorporated Essentium in early 2018 and then launched the High Speed Extrusion printer within months.

Jabil seeks an undisclosed sum in damages, as well as an injunction against Essentium to stop the firm from selling its printer.

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