3D printer manufacturer German RepRap expands team and heads abroad

One of Germany's leading 3D printer manufacturers, German RepRap GmbH, founded in 2012 and based in Feldkirchen, is making no bones about its ambitions. Not only does the company aim to become the leading European manufacturer of affordable commercial 3D printers for business customers, it also has its eye on the global marketplace. To that end, as of March 1, 2015, the company has appointed Thomas Liratsch to the management team in the role of managing director in charge of sales and marketing.

Previously, Liratsch was the managing director at CadSoft Computer, manufacturer of the PCB design tool Eagle. Before that he worked in different management positions covering distribution and marketing within the software, electronics and renewable energy industries.

German RepRap founder and, until now, sole director Florian Bautz will continue to lead the supply chain, logistics and development.

In a release announcing the appointment, the company pointed out that for a professional user, CAD and 3D printing are closely related, as creating a physical model often happens as soon as the drawings have reached a milestone. Due to his extensive CAD experience, Liratsch is a perfect fit. In addition, he has a proven track record of extending a business across international borders and is well suited to push German RepRap into the global marketplace.

In that context, German RepRap has also announced that Florida-based 3DChimera has become German RepRap's first value-added reseller in the U.S. market. 3DChimera has been involved in the 3D printing revolution from day one and has accumulated extensive experience with the installation and operation of 3D printers. The company also has the necessary CAD and engineering know-how to help customers turn designs into printable products. 3DChimera offers a full 3D printer product line, including the large-format industrial FFF (fused filament fabrication) printers X400 and X1000.
3D Chimera founder and CEO Walter Puls was extremely impressed by the price-performance ratio of the 3D-printers made by German RepRap. "And by their quality, made-in-Germany construction," he emphasized.

German RepRap is looking forward to working with 3D Chimera. "We already have a number of customers there that have received our products from Germany," explained Managing Director Bautz. "With 3DChimera, our existing and prospective customers now have a local contact, as well. We are confident this will further increase our market share for 3D printers."