Jan 21, 2015
Japan based global imaging and printing company Ricoh announced today Ricoh Europe has partnered with Leapfrog 3D Printers to resell the Leapfrog Creatr HS 3D printer and other models in Europe starting January 2015.
Ricoh says it will provide a complete package of support for customers around the Leapfrog 3D printers, including the ability to add 3D printers to the existing Ricoh imaging print service contract.
"The partnership will initially be available to customers in Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands and the UK, with wider availability across Europe during 2015," says Jacques van Wyk, COO of Ricoh SA.
Ricoh and Leapfrog 3D Printers will initially focus on customers in the education sector. They plan to expand its support to customers in the engineering and manufacturing sectors over time.
Both companies are well established in the engineering and education sector. Leapfrog 3D Printers provides educational 3D printing packages and curriculum materials to primary schools and high schools, while Ricoh offers print installation, management, training and support contracts to the education market.
This news follows Ricoh's launch of an additive manufacturing business in Japan last September. The company's strategy includes opening two Ricoh Rapid Fab facilities in Japan centered on 3D printers. The new business is primarily focused on providing a 3D printing service to manufacturing customers. They will also be focused on the research and development of 3D printing technology and its applications.
Ricoh reports that "it has a number of technologies in prototyping and molding, in addition to its accumulated experience utilizing 3D printers for its product design over the past 20 years." This move is therefore a natural evolution for Ricoh.
Olivier Vriesendorp, director of product marketing at Ricoh Europe, says: "As 3D printer capabilities develop, Ricoh customers in Europe are beginning to evaluate the role that this potentially game-changing technology can play in their organisations."
Mathijs Kossen, CEO of Leapfrog 3D Printers, says: "Ricoh Europe shares our mission of adding real value for businesses and schools by providing them with a combination of the right tools and services. Besides high-quality 3D printers, we also offer complete solutions that provide a customised mix of 3D printing hardware, software, print materials, and learning platforms to different user groups."
Posted in 3D Design
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The comment from the former Leapfrog business partner has confirmed my worst fears. I was interested in purchasing the Leapfrog Xeed printer, top of the range at approx €7000. I was even contemplating discussing a reseller option. It was like pulling teeth trying to get them to answer my emails & even worse when trying to get a sample part printed on this machine. It must be a nightmare if you own a printer trying to get support. In terms of Ricoh becoming a reseller, Ricoh will most likely be creating a market for there own printers for release in the future. As for Leapfrog printers...........I'm staying well clear. I have decided to bite the bullet and buy a Stratasys as at least there customer service is responsive.
samuel wrote at 1/23/2015 12:53:11 AM:
worst company ever... not sure why ricoh would team with them... stay away from them!
Former Leapfrog Business Partner wrote at 1/22/2015 2:15:37 AM:
Leapfrog will leave you holding the bag if something goes wrong with the sale to your end customers. The CEO is zero responsive to reseller problems and the company is negligent in making sure their customers are well taken care of. Please beware when doing any long term business with Mathijs Kossen and his company Leapfrog. Our company learned the hard way and lost several customers and incurred long term financial damage from Leapfrog's poor business practices. At the end of the day, there are many other companies selling great printers and who actually care about their customers.
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