MakerBot expands international operations

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2014-08-06 17:18:54

MakerBot, a global leader in the desktop 3D printing industry, announced the expansion of its international operations with the launch of MakerBot Europe. This is a major step in leading the desktop 3D printing industry not only in the United States, but in practically every major European country. As part of this expansion effort, MakerBot is acquiring certain assets of its Germany-based partner, HAFNER'S BÜRO, which has been a MakerBot reseller in Germany for several years. Effective immediately, MakerBot Europe will continue to manage the large network of MakerBot resellers throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

"We are so excited to officially launch MakerBot Europe and expand MakerBot's global reach with the creation of MakerBot Europe," noted Mr Jenny Lawton, president of MakerBot. "Mr Alexander Hafner and HAFNER'S BÜRO are long time MakerBot partners and have extensive knowledge of our products, 3D printing and design solutions, and the European market. We are thrilled that they will play a larger role in the MakerBot family and will represent the company with our European distributors and resellers."

HAFNER'S BÜRO has managed and sold MakerBot products for several years and has extensive relationships with key MakerBot customers, resellers and events throughout Europe. Mr Frank Alfano, chief revenue officer at MakerBot, noted, "The creation of a MakerBot Europe office demonstrates MakerBot's commitment to the European market and helps align our overall business growth strategy in the region. Germany has also long been the European hub for 3D printing as overall interest in 3D printing has grown throughout Europe. We have confidence that the area will continue to grow in dominance in the 3D printing arena."

"MakerBot Europe is committing itself to Europe as one of MakerBot's most important markets for 3D printing. We are very proud to be MakerBot's partner of choice for this exciting step. I think it is a unique opportunity in both of our companies' histories. We are excited to be able to take our 3D printing experience and years of working with MakerBot to expand that knowledge throughout Europe," said Alexander Hafner, general manager of the new MakerBot Europe office. "We are firm believers in MakerBot desktop 3D printing and scanning technology and look forward to working with the extensive network of MakerBot resellers in Europe."

MakerBot Europe will encompass Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and other European countries. Existing MakerBot distributors and resellers will continue to run their businesses as usual and are expected to start to be assimilated into MakerBot Europe's sales and marketing organization within a six-month time frame. During that time, MakerBot Europe will also be expanding the company's reach and looking for additional strategic partnerships with resellers and key retailers that can help expand MakerBot's penetration in the European market.

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