It’s been just over four years since leading 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS) purchased the New Hampshire-based company Solidscape, and it appears that the acquisition may finally have begun paying substantial dividends. This week Solidscape announced a significant deal with Beijing, China-based Kangshuo Group Co. Ltd, whom they had already been partners with, for the distribution of their line of highly accurate 3D printers for manufacturing of wax patterns in China.
This most recent agreement between the two companies will equate to the largest 3D printing service bureau to ever emerge within the world’s most populated nation.
“We are excited about creating the largest 3D printing service bureau in China and want to offer our customers the best possible products for the jewelry sector,” stated Kangshuo President Bin Liu. “The clear choice was Solidscape.”
As a part of the deal Kangshuo will erect four 3D printing facilities, housing hundreds of Solidscape 3Z series 3D 
printers, which will then cater to China’s expansive jewelry industry. The first of the four facilities will open next month in Shenzhen, followed by a facility in Guangzhou in October, and finally Shanghai and Beijing next year.
While The deal is a major one for Kangshuo Group as they seek to turn China into a 3D printing powerhouse, Solidscape and its parent company Stratasys will really benefit as this will amount to the sale of hundreds of machines over the next year to year and a half.
“Kangshuo Group’s strong business reputation and commitment to the jewelry segment in China is ideal to support Solidscape’s continuous expansion,” stated Solidscape President Fabio Esposito during the signing ceremony at the company’s NH headquarters yesterday. “Having a customer-centric partner that can deliver top quality sales and service to the jewelry industry in China was our strategic goal. In addition to bolstering the local NH economy and future job creation, we’re thrilled to be an American company exporting our products to China.”
Kangshuo had many options to choose from when it came time to partner with a company which would best suit 
their intended goals, but ultimately went with Solidscape who they had already had close ties with following a distribution agreement signed in the middle of last year. The 3Z series printers are incredibly accurate and are able to achieve 6 micron resolution, making them perfect for complex, yet intricate jewelry designs. Solidscape also notes that these efforts will help China more swiftly achieve their goals of providing comprehensive 3D printing education to all ages and skill levels, by providing hundreds of 3D printers throughout the country on a pay-per-use basis.
This deal will certainly provide Stratasys investors something to cher about as sales figures have been lower than many within the company had hoped for over the last couple of quarters. Let’s hear your thoughts on this deal, and what it could mean for China’s jewelry industry. Discuss in the Solidscape/Kangshuo forum thread on 3DPB.com.
