MakerBot Replicator+
MakerBot's latest technology, the Replicator+, was well-received but it hasn't stopped the company having to make a 30% reduction in staff.
MakerBot has announced it will see a 30% reduction in its staff as it attempts to adapt to an ever-changing market.
Company CEO, Nadav Goshen made the announcement via a blog post published on the MakerBot website. Eventually revealing that nearly a third of its staff would be let go, Goshen highlighted the improvement the company has made since Stratasys’ acquisition in 2013, particularly in the last two years, and that its product range is still receiving critical acclaim.
“Our new products have been well reviewed, awarded, and well received by our key segments. I believe that this is the right path forward for MakerBot,” Goshen wrote. “However, we have to make additional changes to lower costs and to support our long-term goals. The leadership team and I have been working on a new organisational structure, and as part of this new plan we will reduce staff at MakerBot by 30%.
“Greater focus on long-term goals is key to our success, and we must reduce the pressure and distraction of chasing short-term market trends. As part of Stratasys, we believe in the long-term opportunities in desktop 3D printing.
“The desktop 3D printing business is growing in several segments at once, and we consciously chose to focus on the professional and education segments where we provide the best value proposition,” Goshen said. “We worked hard to further define our current strategy of developing 3D printing solutions that address the needs of professionals and educators.”
Goshen went on to say that the company must deepen its focus on core products. This decision will see MakerBot attempt to further integrate its hardware and software product development under one team. Dave Veisz, MakerBot’s VP of Engineering, will now oversee all hardware and software R&D, and Lucas Levin, the current Director of Digital Products, will be promoted to VP of Product, leading product management across hardware and software.
Though MakerBot did not offer specifics on what areas of the company would be affected by the layoffs, he did thank them for their ‘dedication, hard work and friendship’. Goshen concluded by emphasising Stratasys’ continued commitment to MakerBot and delivering leading desktop 3D printing solutions.
“Stratasys remains committed to MakerBot, and will continue to support its unique culture, and products,” Goshen finished. “The Stratasys leadership team believes in the core achievements and strengths of MakerBot and supports it in making the hard steps, it has the utmost confidence in our collective ability to deliver industry leading 3D printing solutions.”
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