One of the most interesting countries in the 3D printing industry right now is China. We’ve been following the country closely as new developments continue to roll out; recently Chinese researchers announced that they are hoping to perfect 3D printed skin in the next few years, and a brand new metal printing technology got everyone’s attention when it was revealed in July. Beyond the groundbreaking research coming out of Chinese institutions, there are plenty of promising companies manufacturing 3D printers for the commercial market, too.
Beijing Huitianwei Technology Co., Ltd. was founded in 2005 as a research and development, production, sales, and services company. In the last five years, they’ve also become a major supplier to the Chinese 3D printing market, and they’re growing fast. Recently they went international, exporting to more than a dozen foreign markets including India, France and Russia; within China, their distributor network has grown to over 100.
The driver behind the company’s success? The HORI 3D printer line, which has grown to a multitude of models in just a few years:
Desktop printers:
- HORI H1+/H1D/H2 series
- HORI M2 (Mini)
- HORI MR300+
- HORI Z300/Z300D
Industrial printers:
- HORI Z500/Z500D
- HORI X500/X500D
Beijing Huitianwei’s entry in the industrial 3D printer market came just last year, and that’s when business really started to explode, with annual sales revenue doubling and sales volume increasing by five times. A new factory was opened, covering 10,000 square meters and churning out 7,000 printer units per month. Often in the 3D printing industry, quantity and quality don’t necessarily go together, but that certainly doesn’t appear to be the case with Beijing Huitianwei. The sales speak for themselves, and the HORI printer line has become the most popular brand among students.
Co-founder and CEO Hongqiang Zhang
It’s easy to see why HORI 3D printers have become so popular. The selection is broad, with both single- and dual-extruder versions of most models available, and they’re all designed to be user-friendly, high-precision, and versatile enough for multiple markets. All models are capable of printing with a wide variety of materials, including PLA, ABS, HIPS, nylon, wood, carbon fiber, and more. Beijing Huitianwei has a wide cross-market appeal, but education has always been a particular focus, with the HORI M2 specifically designed for schools.
Beijing Huitianwei offers a large selection of filament, as well, including PLA, ABS, nylon, PVA, wood, and PETG in a broad range of colors. The company is by no means finished developing new printers and materials, either – in fact, they’re just getting started. Beijing Huitianwei has a lot of energy, and the expertise to back it up, with an experienced staff working closely with a number of domestic and overseas research institutions. A dedicated research and development center keeps the innovation flowing; if the company keeps producing at this rate, they’ll quickly become one of the most prolific companies in the 3D printing industry.
Co-founder Guorui Zhao
For a company that has only been in the 3D printing market for five years, Beijing Huitianwei’s meteoric success is astonishing. They have a strong leadership team behind them, though, in co-founders Hongqiang Zhang and Guorui Zhao. CEO Zhang, a member of the Project Management Institute, is a savvy businessman with an MBA and years of experience in marketing and enterprise management. Zhao, a PhD in mechanical engineering, has worked in the fields of machine manufacturing, automation control and industrial design for over 40 years, with several patents attributed to him.
Beijing Huitianwei, for that matter, has no shortage of patents as a company. Although they may be relatively new to the 3D printing market, they’re certainly not a novice organization. Over the 11 years they’ve been in business, they’ve made quite a name for themselves in the software and electronics markets, with multiple invention and utility model patents, plus numerous software copyrights, not to mention CE, FCC and ROHS certifications. More than 20 patents and copyrights were certified in 2013 alone, in fact.
The focus now, then, is on expansion. A new overseas marketing team was established this year, and a strong presence has been established in the online market. If you’re interested in becoming a distributor, contact the company through their website or at their Shanghai or Beijing offices. You can also meet up with Beijing Huitianwei at one of several trade fairs over the few months; they’ll be at IFA Berlin 2016 September 2-7, Guangzhou International 3D Printing Industry Exhibition September 20-22, and ASEAN in Bangkok November 4-6. Stop by and say hello! Discuss further in the HORI 3D Printer forum over at 3DPB.com.
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- HORI Z500
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- HORI Z300
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- HORI MR300+
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- HORI M2
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- HORI X500
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- HORI H1+
