Investing in 3D Systems Corp (NYSE: DDD)

3D Systems Corp (NYSE: DDD) is one of the oldest and most established companies in the 3D printing sector. Often referring to themselves as “the first 3D printing company in the world”, 3D Systems Corp has over three decades of experience in the additive manufacturing industry. In this time, the company has rapidly expanded its service offerings and through investments in research and innovation, are well poised to continue this expansion well into the future.

The company has three separate and distinct business lines. Firstly, the company offers hardware and software products. 3D printers and associated software can be purchased and used in the manufacturing process by companies looking to 3D print in-house. The company offers over 10 different 3D printer models to meet a variety of needs. From hobbyists to professionals, printers at various price points are available to meet the needs of everyone. On these powerful machines, 3D Systems software such as Geomagic can be run to take real-world physical items and reverse engineer them so that they can be blueprinted and mass-produced using 3D printing. Secondly, for those who wish to do their own production, the company sells the raw materials needed for 3D printing. Examples include plastic, elastomer, composite, wax, and metal. The company offers consultations for those who may need advice in choosing products. Factors to consider include price, durability, flexibility, as well as the look and feel. Finally, for those who do not have printers or materials, 3D Systems offers on-demand manufacturing for a variety of different needs. This service includes every step of the manufacturing process, from prototyping to printing physical products, and can take as little as 24 hours.

One thing that makes 3D Systems unique is its closed-system approach to product development. Through patents, the company protects products and only uses in-house technologies on their printers. While this approach has been criticized by some as stifling innovation within the industry, the company’s response is that it has been able to increase internal incentive structures and invest more money into research and development, leading to better products for consumers. Through this approach, 3D Systems holds over 1000 patents, which allows it to maintain a competitive edge over other companies in the sector. As noted before, company co-founder and current CTO Chuck Hull has committed much of his life work to inventing new 3D printing technologies, and as a result was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014.

On the industrial side, 3D Systems Corp services several high-value sectors. For example, through relationships in aerospace and defence, the company provides custom made solutions to a variety of industry partners. 3D Systems Corp was selected to work with NASA and produced parts such as wheels and camera mounts for the Mars Rover. In another example, through partnerships in the automotive industry, 3D Systems Corp works with manufacturers to produce lighter-weight, lower cost parts for customers around the world. From vintage cars to commercial trucks, the company has worked with a variety of customers to produce custom solutions. These are just two examples of sectors within the industrial market that the company operates in.

Through these two market verticals, the company has streamlined its operations and focused on marketplaces that offer the highest prospects for growth. Through decades of research and development, the company has created partnerships with some of the largest companies in their respective sectors and continues to be viewed as a well-respected partner.

Where to Buy 3D Systems Corp (DDD) Stocks

A broker that we recommend is Firstrade.

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Summary

3D Systems Corp is a company that has been constantly innovating over the past three decades. With a focus now on two specific markets (healthcare and industrial), the company has now built several strong relationships and is well-positioned to continue expanding into these two profitable markets. With a variety of business solutions, the addressable customer base is wide-ranging, from beginners looking to learn more about 3D printing to multi-million dollar companies looking to bring manufacturing costs down. While the 3D printing sector is undoubtedly a crowded space with many competitors, 3D Systems Corp holds several advantages over other companies, and these advantages are likely to allow for greater growth well into the future.