3D Systems
3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD), a leading provider of rapid 3D printing, prototyping and manufacturing solutions, held the grand opening ceremony for its new global headquarters and research and development facility in Waterford Business Park, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The event, for the business community, government officials and members of the media, kicked off four days of grand opening events bringing customers, investors and partners from around the world.
3D Systems built an 80,000-square-foot facility on 24 acres in Waterford Business Park to house its headquarters and its research and development centers. The company moved to Rock Hill, just 25 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina, from Valencia, California, and Grand Junction, Colorado. The goals were to be closer to its customers, to build an infrastructure for long-term R&D growth, and to consolidate its operations into a single workplace. The new headquarters was designed to improve engagement with current and future customers, attract new partners and give employees a modern place to work.
The Rapid Manufacturing Center
About half of the new building's floor space is given over to R&D laboratories, along with an 18,000-square-foot Rapid Manufacturing Center (RMC) housing the company's range of rapid prototyping, manufacturing and 3D printing systems. Enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glass, the RMC shows visitors how the company's 3D printing, SLA (stereolithography) and SLS (selective laser sintering) systems are used to solve everyday design and production problems.
The RMC is surrounded by displays, photographs, testimonials and sample parts from customers who have advanced their design and manufacturing processes with 3D Systems technology. Through a partnership with York Technical College's 3D Systems University, current and future customers can learn how the company's systems and services change the way businesses design, develop and manufacture their products.
"We are excited to share our innovative new home with our friends and partners," said Abe Reichental, 3D Systems' president and CEO. "I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped us during this challenging year as we moved across the U.S. into this extraordinary facility. It is a pleasure to share the opening of our new center with our friends, customers, suppliers, investors and community leaders, as it marks the completion of a major step toward positioning our company and our organizational infrastructure for sustained, profitable growth."
About 3D Systems
3D Systems is a leading provider of rapid 3D printing, prototyping and manufacturing solutions. Its systems and materials reduce the time and cost of designing products and support direct and indirect manufacturing by producing real parts straight from digital input. These solutions are used for design communication and prototyping, and for producing functional end-use parts.