14 DAY TRIAL // A veteran of the 3D printing industry has signed a deal with Xerox, a deal that seals the transfer of a part of the latter's solid ink product design, engineering and chemistry team from Oregon.
It's a bit odd that 3D Systems isn't a strong brand, seeing as how it's been in the 3D printing business for the better part of the past 30 years.
Chances are it will gain some recognition from now on, though, because 3D printing in general is getting attention.
Maybe 3D Systems will even match MakerBot and Shapeways in terms of brand strength eventually. This deal with Xerox is definitely meant to put it on the path towards such a victory.
The terms of the deal are these: 3D Systems will pay Xerox the sum of $32.5 million / €23.80 million, and Xerox will give it over 100 employees stationed in Oregon.
The employees are from the Xerox solid ink production design division, and will become employees of 3D Systems while the labs and IP involved will be added to the company portfolio.
The transaction will close before the end of the year (2013) and expands on a dace of collaboration between the two.
It could be kind of baffling for most people, since Xerox is usually a name that crops up in conversations about copy machines and printers, not 3D printing.
“We are pleased to expand our relationship with an innovative partner of the caliber of Xerox and expect that acquiring some of the Xerox Wilsonville engineering team, together with their state-of the-art development labs and selected licensed IP, will catapult our 3D printers’ development and manufacturing capabilities forward,” said Avi Reichental, 3D Systems’ president and CEO.
“This bold step is consistent with our belief that we must act quickly and decisively to extend and cement our marketplace leadership position by taking full advantage of the window of unprecedented opportunity in front of us.”