Distributor Partnership To Lead Sales Efforts of MakerBot 3D Printers in the UK
BROOKLYN, N.Y. & LONDON — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 5, 2014 — MakerBot, a global leader in desktop 3D printing, is excited to announce a distribution and sales agreement with Computers Unlimited (CU) in the UK. Computers Unlimited will manage all UK-based resellers activity, and channel development for MakerBot, and will sell and support MakerBot’s line of MakerBot® Replicator® 3D Printers and MakerBot® Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner, as well as MakerBot® Filament.
Computers Unlimited is one of the UK’s and Europe’s leading distributors for numerous brands including Adobe, B&O, Epson and Wacom. Established in London in 1985 by James Sanson, CEO of CU, it is staffed with more than 200 enthusiastic professionals, across three countries.
"MakerBot is excited about our distribution partnership with Computers Unlimited to help us further expand the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem footprint in the UK, " said Mark Schulze, vice president of Sales for MakerBot. "Building on our existing reseller network's success, Computers Unlimited is expected to help accelerate MakerBot's penetration with engineering, architectural, educational and consumer end-users. When speaking with numerous distribution partners in the UK, we were most impressed with CU's dedication for the 3D printing space, passion for customer service and vision for where MakerBot should be in the near future."
CU will offer the award-winning MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer, the MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer, the MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer, the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, and MakerBot PLA Filament, as well as the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer and the MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer. The new fifth generation MakerBot 3D Printers recently released in 2014 all share the new MakerBot 3D Printing Platform that includes MakerBot fifth generation technology with app and cloud enabled 3D printing, access to Thingiverse.com, MakerBot’s 3D design community, and an on-board camera for monitoring and sharing, and the new MakerBot Smart Extruder that is easy to swap or replace and notifies the user if filament needs to be replaced. The new fifth generation MakerBot Replicator 3D Printers are scheduled to be available this spring.
“The UK has always been a very important market for us,” noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “To have CU on-board as our lead international distribution partner can help further our expansion into Europe and provide us with a trusted partner in the industry that is known as a leader in technology products. We are excited to see where this partnership takes us.”
“Computers Unlimited is delighted to partner with MakerBot on distribution,” said James Sanson, CEO of CU. “We have been watching MakerBot’s status as a leader in the rapidly developing desktop 3D printing industry for a while and are thrilled to be part of the team to bring 3D printing to more industries, creative individuals, and educational users in the UK. MakerBot’s entire 3D Printing Ecosystem provides not just 3D printers, but a broad range of leading edge technology and services that includes content and tools to make the 3D printing process easier for their customers.”
MakerBot’s 3D printing Ecosystem and 3D printing platform contributes to the overall user experience, ease of use, and accessibility for MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers and Scanners. Having products available through a network of international distributors such as CU helps contribute to the Ecosystem and offers customers a chance to experience MakerBot products in a variety of ways.
About MakerBot
MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd., is leading the Next Industrial Revolution by setting the standards in reliable and affordable desktop 3D printing. Founded in 2009, MakerBot has built the largest installed base of desktop 3D printers sold to innovative and industry-leading customers worldwide, including engineers, architects, designers, educators and consumers. The MakerBot 3D Ecosystem drives accessibility and rapid adoption of 3D printing and includes: Thingiverse.com, the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, the MakerBot Replicator line of Desktop 3D Printers, MakerWare software, MakerCare, the MakerBot retail stores, and strategic partnerships with top-tier brands. MakerBot has been honored with many accolades, including Popular Mechanics’ “Overall Winner” for best 3D printer, Time Magazine’s“Best Inventions of 2012,” Popular Mechanics’ “Editor’s Choice Award,” Popular Science’s “Product of the Year,” Fast Company’s “One of the World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Consumer Electronics,” and many more. Join the Next Industrial Revolution by following MakerBot at makerbot.com.
About Computers Unlimited
Computers Unlimited (CU) is Europe’s #1 distributor for everything Apple, Creative Professional and Digital Lifestyle. Established in 1985, it is headquartered in London and serves key retailers and specialist resellers across Europe, via further facilities in France, Spain, Holland and the Nordics. CU is a brand- and channel-building distributor, working with leading technology companies including Adobe, B&O Play, Epson, Griffin, Incipio+Braven, Nemetschek, Mophie, Parrot, Sonos, Wacom, and Western Digital.
About Stratasys
Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and Rehovot, Israel, manufactures 3D printers and materials for prototyping and production. The company’s patented FDM® and PolyJet® 3D printing technologies produce prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems include 3D printers for idea development, prototyping and direct digital manufacturing. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape and the company operates the RedEye digital-manufacturing service. Stratasys has more than 1,800 employees, holds over 550 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally, and has received more than 20 awards for its technology and leadership. Online at: stratasys.com or blog.stratasys.com.
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