Ricoh NZ nails distie deal in “rapidly developing industry”

Ricoh New Zealand has been named as an authorised reseller of Kiwi firm MakerBot, distributing the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D printer and the MakerBot DigitizerTM Desktop 3D Scanner across the country.

Mike Pollok, Ricoh New Zealand’s Managing Director, says this is an exciting opportunity in what is clearly a rapidly developing industry.

“We are delighted to have been appointed by MakerBot to represent its products in the New Zealand market, not only because they align with our current direction and brand values, but because they are globally recognised as a leader in the sector, he says.

“Ricoh exists to help companies and individuals transform the way they work and harness their collective imagination.

"Our brand proposition is that change is driven by imaginative thinking and we believe the MakerBot Replicator 2 and the MakerBot Digitizer fit that bill 100 per cent.”

MakerBot has been honoured with many accolades, including Popular Mechanics’ “Overall Winner” for best 3D printer, Time Magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2012,” Popular Mechanics’ “Editor’s Choice Award,” Popular Science’s “Product of the Year,” and the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner was just awarded a “Breakthrough Award” by Popular Mechanics.

Founded in 2009, the company has grown to be one of the global leaders in the desktop 3D printing industry.

“Teaming with Ricoh New Zealand is aimed at helping us expand even more in the New Zealand market,” said Mark Schulze, vice president of sales for MakerBot.

“It’s pretty exciting to be able to bring MakerBot desktop 3D printing and scanning capabilities to a whole new market across the world.

"We are dedicated to education about 3D printing and expanding the MakerBot 3D Printing Ecosystem.

"It’s a pretty exciting time as we see more rapid adoption of 3D printing and scanning not only in the engineering, architecture and industrial space, but also with more cutting-edge consumers.”

MakerBot Replicator 2

One of the first MakerBot products available in New Zealand through Ricoh will be the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer, which has been designed for use by engineers, architects, researchers, industrial designers, and hobbyists alike.

The MakerBot Replicator 2 has a large build volume of 410 cubic inches (11.2” L x 6.0” W x 6.1” H) and is optimised for printing in MakerBot PLA Filament, a bioplastic derived from corn.

“The MakerBot Replicator 2 is an innovative product that is cost effective," says Murray Clark, Marketing manager, Ricoh NZ.

"The MakerBot Replicator 2 allows anyone to make 3D models and creations on demand. It’s changed the rules by mainstreaming technology that was once the preserve of specialists.”

“This type of desktop 3D printing unleashes innovation across a broad range of business applications at a price point that’s wholly accessible.

"Now, one-off or short-run 3D printed parts and other creations are readily achievable."

In addition to the MakerBot Replicator 2, Ricoh is also offering the recently released MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, which takes real life objects, scans them with a camera and two lasers and turns them into a 3D digital file.

Ricoh New Zealand says it now has available both models of the MakerBot Replicator 2 and the MakerBot Replicator 2X, as well as the MakerBot Digitizer.