Stratasys, Ltd. (SSYS), 3D Systems Corporation (DDD): 3D Printing Giants Eye Buyouts

Consumer market monopoly

While 3D Systems has so far been the most active buyer, it is also the only one of these three large 3-D printing companies that has shown keen interest in the consumer market. The number of purchases the company is making sets it apart from others, and allows the firm to gain major control of the various facets of 3-D printing, including the devices, software and parts. However, everything could be different if Stratasys is in the process of refining a desktop printer for the consumer market with the suspected upcoming purchase of Marketbot. Stratasys does manufacture desktop printers and refining the manufacturing of that product will mean a decrease to the price tag and make it more attractive to retailers like Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS). If that happens, 3D Systems could see its lead in the race to become a household product vanish.

Phillip Woolgar owns shares of 3D Systems. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems, Stratasys, and The ExOne Company. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and Stratasys and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $36 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $20 Puts on 3D Systems.

The article 3-D Printing Giants Eyeball Buyouts originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Phillip Woolgar.

Phillip is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

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