3D Systems gobbles up leading 3D printing filament manufacturer Village Plastics in a move that has been in the works for months. This comes hot on the heels of purchasing 3D printed edibles innovator The Sugar Lab and ceramic printer Figulo. There were no details on the specifics of the deal.
3D Systems announced the acquisition late last week, adding the leading manufacturer of filament-based ABS, PLA and HIPS 3D printing materials to its growing list of high profile purchases. Ohio based Village Plastics makes Thermoplastic Welding Rod and 3D Printing Filament. 3D Systems is looking to use its industry knowledge to enhance its Cube and CubeX 3D line of printers. In a move obviously meant to increase the company’s filament materials manufacturing bonafides, it should also speed up the development of thermoplastics for use with the company’s extensive line of 3D printing products.
“Village Plastics brings significant filament-based material development know-how and large-scale manufacturing expertise that are vitally important to our Cube 3D printer consumer and prosumer growth initiatives,” said Avi Reichental, president and CEO of 3D Systems, in the company’s statement on the acquisition. Currently there are no plans to move the Village Plastics manufacturing plant from its home in Norton, Ohio and they will continue to service their existing customer base.
This recent spree of new purchases seems to put 3D Systems and fellow industry leader Stratasys in a not-so-quiet competition to become the largest 3D printer manufacturer and developer in the industry. Stratasys recently completed its high-profile merger with MakerBot last summer and recently bought out Japanese partner Fasotech.
