Solidoodle
It’s surprising in such a tough economic climate that the only financial results we ever see for 3D printing are positive. Admittedly you’re not as likely to find a press release in one’s inbox outlining a complete and utter failure.
3D Systems posted some incredible first quarter results, Mcor did the same and Stratasys have got enough money in the bank to splash a possible $403million to acquire the world’s leading desktop 3D printing brand, MakerBot.
Another desktop 3D printing firm based in the same neighbourhood as MakerBot aren’t doing too badly either. Solidoodle, which sell 3D printers starting at just $499 have announce a staggering $4 million in total sales since its launch in 2011. Not staggering stood next to 3D Systems perhaps, but when you consider that this is run out of a garage in Brooklyn that’s not too bad.
When our Group Editor, Jim Woodcock visited the workshop he couldn’t believe the speed in which the production line was moving, Solidoodle’s Yahea Abdulla was proud of this telling Jim “We are shipping around 30 printers per day now –with between 2000 and 3000 shipped in 2012 alone. To achieve this we have a staff a staff of 60 local people. Before 3D printing people weren’t creating manufacturing jobs in Brooklyn, so we’re proud to be part of that change.”
Sales have continued to increase post 2012 holiday season too, a traditionally slow time for consumer electronics. CEO Sam Cervantes thinks he knows why, “This increase is due to the combination of a growing consumer interest in 3D printing and Solidoodle’s ability to deliver products that provide both the quality and value that market demands,”
After conquering the tricky task of meeting growing demand by reducing its factory lead time the former MakerBot CEO, Cervantes is off to conquer the globe as Solidoodle aim to become the first 3D printing store in the rather obscure countries in the former USSR.
Interesting and fast moving time for another Brooklyn 3D printer start-up…
