3D Systems Signs Distribution Deal with Dental Technology Giant Henry Schein Inc.

3D Systems‘ continuing efforts to scale their operations have recently focused on acquiring subsidiaries, entering new markets, and signing new distribution agreements, and the company announced today that they entered into a multi-national distribution agreement with Henry Schein, Inc., the world’s largest provider of healthcare products and services to office-based dental, animal health, and medical practitioners.

The new agreement calls for HSIC to offer 3DS’ dental 3D printers to its dental laboratory customers in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, and Thailand.

It marks a substantial expansion of 3DS’ reach into dental lab practices and means the company’s devices will take their place in the HSIC digital dental solution.

The companies say HSIC will market and sell the micro-SLA ProJet 1200 and the new ProJet 3510 DPPro as part of its digital dental laboratory offering. That system includes 3D scanners, software, installation, and post-sales support.

“3D Systems is an industry leader in high-fidelity, precision 3D printing,” said Robert Gottlander, the Vice President of Global Prosthetic Solutions for HSIC. “We are very pleased to offer our dental lab customers 3D Systems’ high-performance 3D printers as part of our integrated digital dental solution.”

HSIC is a Fortune 500 Company and listed on the NASDAQ 100 Index. The company employs more than 17,500 Team Schein Members and serves more than 1 million customers worldwide through a a centralized and automated distribution network which includes more than 100,000 branded products. HSIC offers technologies, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, along with a broad range of financial services. The company offers operations or affiliates in 28 countries and their sales reached $10.4 billion in 2014.

3D Systems says the devices in question, the SLA ProJet 1200 and the ProJet 3510 DPPro, are used to print wax-ups for crowns, bridges, and partial denture frameworks along with working models for crown and bridge, orthodontic, partial dentures, and dental models from the company’s VisiJet Stoneplast material.

Kevin McAlea, the Chief Operating Officer for Healthcare Products at 3DS, says the deal with HSIC is critical to his company’s ongoing efforts to continue the dominance of their dental-capable line of devices.

“This agreement provides unprecedented access for our latest dental 3D printers with a world-class organization that is uniquely qualified to deliver integrated digital dental solutions, services and support to our mutual dental customers,” McAlea said.

What do you think of deals like this 3D Systems move to build a distribution network with Henry Schein, Inc? Do you think these kinds of deals will prove beneficial to 3DS? Let us know in the 3D Systems Signs Deal With Henry Schein Inc. forum thread on 3DPB.com.