VOW Leads The Way On 3D Print
VOW has become the exclusive UK business supplies wholesaler for the industry leading iMakr range of 3D printers.
As the only company in the UK dedicated exclusively to 3D printing and offering one of the widest ranges, iMakr was VOW’s first choice as manufacturing partner, giving VOW resellers the assurance of a specialised offering and high after sales service and customer support.
Around 100,000 3D printer units have been sold worldwide since their launch, with 2013 showing a 50% increase over 2012. Demand for 3D printing is projected to grow by 75% in 2014 and the sector is expected to be worth five billion US dollars worldwide by 2017*.
Ben Appleby, Technology Product Manager commented: “VOW is committed to growing resellers’ businesses and with eight iMakr models on offer, starting at the consumer friendly Solidoodle 4 priced to the consumer at £708 and going up to the user intensive Makerbot Replicator 2X at £1,908, plus 40 different consumables, there are significant opportunities here for the reseller across a wide spectrum of new and existing customers.
3D printing enables users to produce all kinds of quick, inexpensive prototypes, product samples and spare parts, with education, architecture, construction, automotive, engineering, utilities, medical, retail and fashion just some of the markets that can use 3D printing to make one off or sample designs.
With some 3D printer models now affordable to home users, the technology also enables consumers to design and produce almost anything they like to the cube specification parameters of their printer, including smaller household items or customised mobile phone cases.
Ben Appleby: “For selling in a new technology to customers, it’s critical that we and our reseller partners have complete confidence in the brand, its consumables, and after sales support, which is the case with iMakr.
“Not all 3D printers are equal and several factors put iMakr ahead of the competition, including their quality control processes which are among the highest in the industry. iMakr products are machine tested on delivery and filaments are checked to determine which ones work best on which machines. Specified filaments ensure that customers are always provided with the best consumables, which is important as these can be a great area of margin, and substandard imitations can be detrimental to the user experience.
iMakr founder Sylvain Preumont: “VOW’s distribution capabilities combined with our unparalleled expertise in 3D printing and high service levels will give business supplies resellers a truly competitive edge and help them reach an extensive new customer base. With 3D print set to explode in the next year and beyond, we are delighted to be partnering with VOW and excited about the range of opportunities that this presents to the UK market.”
VOW managing director Adrian Butler: “With consumption patterns continuing to change and end users seeking an ever more personalised experience, 3D print presents a substantial opportunity to those resellers seeking to meet these challenges. Staying ahead of the curve is not always easy, but it will be key to success. By evolving their offering to embrace technology like 3D print, resellers have every chance of winning in the coming months and years.”
VOW launched the iMakr range to VOW+ partners at its annual Partner Event on 6 March and is now working on a range of complementary, added value 3D printing tools and services to engage with resellers and their customers. These are likely to include end user-friendly resources, exclusive to VOW, that will enable people to download and create a diverse range of 3D products.
For more information please visit www.voweurope.com
*Source: International business research consultancy Freedonia Group