MakerBot announced Friday that it is launching a European branch called MakerBot Europe as a way to get involved in 3D Printer markets outside the U.S.
As part of the move, the desktop 3D printer developer will take over assets of Hafner's Buro, a German partner that has connections to MakerBot resellers in different parts of Europe, according to CNET.
The networks of the Stuttgart-based company will become the property of MakerBot Europe, and MakerBot will be in charge of the MakerBot reseller network, which includes resellers through Central and Eastern Europe.
The 3D printing company said the deal is a "major step" in obtaining a huge spot in the European market, The Inquirer reported.
"The company has traditionally focused on sales and marketing efforts in the United States. Now, with the creation of MarketBot Europe, it will be able to expand its reach in many countries," MakerBot said in its announcement.
The new organization will be led by Alexander Hafner, former owner and president of Hafner's Buro since it was founded in 1988. He will also serve as the general manager of the new office.
Hafner's Buro has spent the last several years managing and selling printers from MakerBot, and thanks to the new deal, MakerBot is already set up with connections to sell 3D desktop printers throughout Europe, CNET reported.
Countries to be integrated in MakerBot Europe include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
MakerBot said its current distributors and resellers will keep running their businesses as usual, adding that they are set to join MakerBot Europe's sales and marketing firm within the next six months, The Inquirer reported.
The 3D printer maker will spend that time expanding its reach and searching for more strategic partnerships with resellers and significant retailers that can help the company obtain a bigger spot in the European market.
