The acquisition gives Stratasys a leading consumer 3D printing platform, and gives MakerBot the deep pockets it needs to continue to grow and compete. Makerbot will maintain its identity. June 19, 2013 1:51 PM PDT MakerBot founder Bre Pettis was the opening keynote speaker at SXSW this year. (Credit: James Martin/CNET) MakerBot, one of the highest-profile desktop 3D printing companies, has been acquired by Stratasys, the companies said today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but in a release, the companies did say it was a stock-for-stock transaction. By agreeing to be acquired, MakerBot becomes part of one of the leading industrial 3D printing companies, and the deal allows Stratasys to compete more directly at the consumer level with 3D Systems and that company's Cube line of printers. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal had reported that MakerBot was in acquisition talks, though it did not identify the company's potential suitor. MakerBot, founded by Bre Pettis in 2009, has become synonymous in many people's eyes with the 3D printing industry. its $2,200 Replicator 2 is one of the most advanced low-cost 3D printers on the market today. And with its Thingiverse service, the company has also created one of the leading marketplaces for 3D printable digital models. MakerBot's Replicator 2 3D printer. (Credit: MakerBot) Pettis was the opening keynote speaker at this year's South by Southwest Interactive festival, and used the opportunity to unveil a 3D digital scanner MakerBot is working on. That product is known as the MakerBot Digitizer desktop 3D scanner. According to a release about the merger, MakerBot will operate as a subsidiary of Stratasys, and will maintain its well-known identity. It will also continue to manufacture and market its existing product line. It will also maintain its ongoing partnerships with companies like Autodesk, Adafruit Industries, Ouya, Nokia, MoMa, and Amazon.
The acquisition gives Stratasys a leading consumer 3D printing platform, and gives MakerBot the deep pockets it needs to continue to grow and compete. Makerbot will maintain its identity.
MakerBot founder Bre Pettis was the opening keynote speaker at SXSW this year.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET)
MakerBot, one of the highest-profile desktop 3D printing companies, has been acquired by Stratasys, the companies said today.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but in a release, the companies did say it was a stock-for-stock transaction. By agreeing to be acquired, MakerBot becomes part of one of the leading industrial 3D printing companies, and the deal allows Stratasys to compete more directly at the consumer level with 3D Systems and that company's Cube line of printers.
Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal had reported that MakerBot was in acquisition talks, though it did not identify the company's potential suitor.
MakerBot, founded by Bre Pettis in 2009, has become synonymous in many people's eyes with the 3D printing industry. its $2,200 Replicator 2 is one of the most advanced low-cost 3D printers on the market today. And with its Thingiverse service, the company has also created one of the leading marketplaces for 3D printable digital models.
MakerBot's Replicator 2 3D printer.
(Credit: MakerBot)
Pettis was the opening keynote speaker at this year's South by Southwest Interactive festival, and used the opportunity to unveil a 3D digital scanner MakerBot is working on. That product is known as the MakerBot Digitizer desktop 3D scanner.
According to a release about the merger, MakerBot will operate as a subsidiary of Stratasys, and will maintain its well-known identity. It will also continue to manufacture and market its existing product line. It will also maintain its ongoing partnerships with companies like Autodesk, Adafruit Industries, Ouya, Nokia, MoMa, and Amazon.
