Staples to Begin Exclusively Selling MakerBot 3D Printers and 3D Scanners in Stores and Online

Recently we reported on MakerBot reaching a deal to bring their 3D printers to a select list of Home Depot stores around the United States. Just last week, the two companies announced that they would be expanding their in-store pilot program to a total of 39 stores nationwide. This is a big move for MakerBot, as they continue to try and remain the “goto brand” for those looking for desktop 3D printers. Today, MakerBot has announced a collaboration with yet another large retail store in the United States.

In what looks to be more good news for MakerBot, today they’ve announced a partnership with Staples to bring their MakerBot 3D Printing Ecosystem, which includes their Replicator 3D Printers and Digitizer 3D Scanners, to 50 select Staples retail locations in 18 different states throughout the US. What may be an even bigger story here though is the fact that MakerBot will be Staples’ “exclusive provider of in-store 3D printing hardware. Staples obviously feels as though this deal will not only help them bring in more sales of 3D printing related products, but also bring more customers to their stores in order to see and experience 3D printing, and what it has to offer.

Located at these 50 retail stores, will be special MakerBot kiosks which will showcase the advantages that these 3D technologies have to offer for at-home use, as well as use within the office and classroom. You can see a list of all the locations at the bottom of this article.  To find the exact location of each of these stores, you can enter the state of your choice on the Staples.com website, or on the MakerBot.com locator page.

On top of this, Staples will also continue to offer in-store access to industrial level 3D printing services from RedEye. Both RedEye and MakerBot are Stratasys companies, thus this partnership further solidifies the relationship that Stratasys and Staples have had for some time now.

“We are excited to partner with Staples to help bring MakerBot 3D printing technology to Staples customers,” said Jenny Lawton, acting chief executive officer of
MakerBot, a global leader in the desktop 3D printer market. “Using the MakerBot 3D Printing Ecosystem, Staples customers can now integrate technology into their workflow, lesson plans and transform their design process.”

With Staples being one of the largest office supply stores in the world, this partnership will certainly bring more publicity and notoriety to the MakerBot brand of 3D printers. The Staples website also has MakerBot 3D printers and products available for sale. As MakerBot continues to grow, it seems as though there are more and more willing partners who are looking to the company in order to introduce 3D printing to their customers. Without a doubt, those who haven’t heard about 3D printing technology quite yet, will certainly be hearing about it soon, with all the retail locations that are gradually beginning to stock these once considered “futuristic machines.”

“Staples is committed to offering its customers the most innovative products and services wherever they want to shop, in-store or online,” said Mike Edwards, executive vice president, merchandising, Staples, Inc. “By bringing the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem to Staples, we’re helping our customers make more happen with their business or in their classroom.”

What do you think about this rather exciting news?  Will this deal be mutually beneficial to both Staples and MakerBot?  Discuss in the MakerBot/Staples Partnership forum thread on 3DPB.com.

Below you will find a list of the 50 participating Staples locations:

Scottsdale, AZ
Aliso Viejo, CA
Palm Desert, CA
Petaluma, CA
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Roseville, CA
San Mateo, CA
Solana Beach, CA
Woodland Hills, CA
Branford, CT
Danbury, CT
West Hartford, CT
New Castle, DE
Newark, DE
Wilmington, DE
Bradenton, FL
Ocala, FL
Boise, ID
Reading, MA
Salam, MA
Westborough, MA
Bel Air, MD
Huntersville, NC
Mooresville, NC
Londonderry, NH
Stratham, NH
Bergenfield, NJ
East Rutherford, NJ
Howell, NJ
Ramsey, NJ
Raritan, NJ
Shrewsbury, NJ
Trenton, NJ
Hobbs, NM
Brooklyn, NY
Commack, NY
Manhasset, NY
Rochester, NY
Staten Island, NY
Allentown, PA
Chambersburg, PA
Doylestown, PA
Harrisburg, PA
Williamsport, PA
Mount Pleasant, SC
San Antonio, TX
Falls Church, VA
Williamsburg, VA
Redmond, WA