I’ve written extensively on this epochal shift, noting especially that MakerBot has already begun displacing “professional” 3-D printers (the mainframes of the industry) at some key Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) and 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) clients. However, there’s room for debate over whether 3-D printing is fully into its PC era, or if it’s still stuck in the minicomputer phase — an in-between state where machinery almost makes sense for the average Joe, but not quite. The Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) II was one of the earliest consumer-friendly microcomputers, which is what PCs were called before we settled on that terminology.
MakerBot’s Bre Pettis is probably the closest thing 3-D printing has to a Steve Jobs. He’s had an eclectic artistic career that’s served him well as the chief evangelist for one of the most interesting new creative technologies of the day — and besides that, he’s a pretty charismatic executive, with magazine covers and many prime speaking engagements to his name. He’s said things such as “MakerBot is leading the next industrial revolution” and “the opportunity for creative explorers has never been better.” It’s classic Jobs, and it worked well enough to deliver a huge payday for MakerBot right as they appear to be on their way toward truly explosive growth.
So why did Pettis decide to take the offer?
Can you imagine Steve Jobs meeting with IBM in 1978, a year after the Apple II hit the market, and accepting a buyout even as he talked about how insanely great computers would be for the world at every opportunity? MakerBot has one of the largest and most engaged online 3-D printing communities, with over 90,000 designs, 500,000 monthly visitors, and 1 million monthly downloads. It controls a substantial chunk of consumer sales — at least as much as Apple controlled of PCs at its market-share peak in the early ’80s.
At an interview with VentureBeat earlier today, both Pettis and Stratasys CEO David Reis stressed that MakerBot would retain its independence and had gained vital opportunities to expand its brand through the acquisition. Access to superior manufacturing facilities and technological expertise is no doubt a big perk for Pettis and MakerBot, but it’s worth wondering why the company was unable to secure these opportunities on its own if its future is supposedly so bright. Did Pettis really need Stratasys, or did he simply recognize the best opportunity for a high-priced exit?
Low-cost, full-function devices like MakerBot’s are probably more aligned with the future of 3-D printing than Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS)’ big, bulky machines. However, this consolidation leaves the industry with only two major players and a smaller pool of upstarts ready to challenge them. Will MakerBot still feel as compelled to push the edge of the technology further now that it only has to benefit Stratasys rather than best it?
The article Stratasys Buys MakerBot: What You Need to Know originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Alex Planes.
Fool contributor Alex Planes has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems, Apple, and Stratasys. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems, Apple, International Business (NYSE:IBM) Machines, and Stratasys, and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $36 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $20 Puts on 3D Systems.
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