Ingram identifies 3D printer opportunity

Distributor inks US pact with 3D printer vendor MakerBot

Ingram Micro has claimed 3D printing represents a growth opportunity for the channel after becoming the latest distributor to sign up a vendor in the hotly tipped sector, albeit only in the US.

The wholesaler has signed a partnership with MakerBot that will see it punt its Replicator 2 Desktop 3D printer and Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, as well as related software and filaments, to US resellers.

Gartner this week earmarked 3D printing as one of top of the top-ten strategic technology trends for 2014, predicting the market will grow by three-quarters next year. A 3D printing exhibition, featuring 600 objects including artifical hands and a 3D model of BBC presenter Evan Davies, is currently running at the Science Museum.

Ingram Micro is not the only distributor picking up and running with 3D printing after UK print and AV specialist Midwich announced a partnership with vendor 3D Systems.

The partnership will focus on the education sector, following a recent overhaul of the curriculum that encourages schools to deploy 3D printers.

"We believe 3D printing and scanning represent a growing market for IT channel partners, and that Ingram Micro's dedicated document imaging business unit is well positioned to help MakerBot capitalise on the growing demand for these technologies," said Ryan Grant, senior business unit director, Components and Document Imaging at Ingram Micro US

Mark Schulze, vice president of sales for MakerBot, added: "We get calls every day from direct marketers and resellers asking for a relationship with MakerBot, and now, we can work with more of these companies through Ingram Micro, and expand the MakerBot 3D Printing Ecosystem."