MakerBot Signs Distecna to Distribute Product Line in South America

MakerBot is adding Distecna as the company’s first distributor of MakerBot 3D printing and scanning products in Argentina, Paraguay, and Peru.

Distecna, with their local presence in South America and expertise in vertical markets like education, engineering, and design, will be attempting to extend the presence of both companies through what some are calling potentially the second largest market for 3D printing over the next five years.

The deal will see Distecna represent MakerBot in channel sales, technical customer support, marketing, and reseller training throughout the three countries and introduce MakerBot 3D printing and scanning products to resellers and the press at what they’re calling MakerBot 3D Ecosystem Showcases throughout the month of April. The presentations, which include product demos and networking opportunities, will be held in Buenos Aires and Lima.

Mark Schulze, the general manager of the Americas and Emerging Markets for MakerBot, says Distecna’s local presence and logistics capabilities were key to the deal.

“Distecna has 20+ years of experience in the technology sector, a network of more than 1,500 active resellers throughout Argentina, Perú and Paraguay, and close connections to the education, design and engineering vertical markets that align with MakerBot’s core customers,” Schulze says. “Distecna is exactly the kind of partner we are looking for to help us make further headway into these new markets.”

Distecna will now distribute MakerBot Replicator 3D Printers, the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, MakerBot PLA and ABS Filaments, and MakerBot 3D printing accessories, as well as provide product training and customer support.

This deal means MakerBot customers in South America including engineers, designers, and educators–like Nadir Gordon, a student at Universidad de Palermo in Buenos Aires–will continue to provide interesting creations and benefit from this partnership.

Gordon recently created an innovative, 3D printed swimsuit she designed and printed on a MakerBot desktop 3D printer while working in conjunction with 3D printing expert Jonathan Guerra. According to Gordon, 3D printing is an opportunity to think about fashion in new and innovative ways. She adds that creating her vision would have been impossible using traditional methods for making garments.

Juan José Noguera, the CEO of Distecna, says the desktop 3D printing category has grown quickly in South America and around the world over the last several years, and notes that MakerBot has been a driving force in that growth.

“We’re thrilled to partner with MakerBot, the market leader, to grow the 3D printing market in South America by offering our resellers a comprehensive product portfolio,” Noguera says of the deal. “MakerBot differentiates itself with the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem, which makes 3D printing accessible and caters to professional and educational users. Our resellers and the market will be excited about this new and innovative product portfolio.”

Distecna distributes technology products throughout South America, and with more than 20 years of experience, the company operates branches in four countries and boast a network of more than 4,000 resellers.

Do you think deals like this will help MakerBot extend their influence throughout the world? Let us know in the MakerBot Signs Distecna To Distribute forum thread on 3DPB.com.