14 DAY TRIAL // HP is one of the world's prime suppliers of printers, but 3D printing is still mostly outside its purview. That might not last for long though.
According to an interview with an Australian newspaper back in December, Seiko Epson President Minoru Usui said his company was making 3D printers for commercial use.
Also, HP CEO Meg Whitman said, among other things, that 3D printing was a natural extension for her company.
So how does that fit in when HP is not, in fact, a 3D printing company? Apparently, the corporation is thinking of buying Stratasys, thus “completing” their $56 billion / €41 billion printing business arm.
Neither company actually said this would happen though, and HP could, presumably, just make a 3D printer of its own.
Analysts think an acquisition would make more sense though. HP and Seiko Epson may even do a joint acquisition. None of the three is willing to publicly discuss the idea though or comment in any way.