Responding to small business demand, UPS adds 3D print locations
On the back of its successful experiment with 3D Print in six markets, The UPS Store will now offer the service at nearly 100 stores countrywide.
According to The Wholers Report 2014, the 3D print service sector grew by 21 percent last year. In line with this trend the existing six locations saw a continuing increase in demand for 3D printing across a broad range of customers.
Over the course of the 2013 pilot program small businesses, startups, inventors, artists and a range of other professionals used the Stratasys uPrint SE Plus, a professional grade 3D printer, to turn their ideas into real life prototypes. With production time ranging anywhere from four to five hours for simple objects to over a day for more complex ones, The UPS Store has given its customers access to high grade 3D printing not possible on home printers.
“We launched the pilot to evaluate if there was demand for 3D print and we’re excited to be announcing an expansion, giving even more small business owners access to high-quality, professional 3D printing. We look forward to being a part of the future of the 3D printing industry,” said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store, in a released statement.
In an effort to promote the aggressive expansion The UPS Store has named this week, 22 – 26 September, its inaugural annual Print Week. Learn more here.
Photo by Michael Rivera
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