New Castle, Delaware, June 24, 2004—DSM Desotech Inc. and 3D Systems Corporation announced today that the companies have entered into a worldwide non-exclusive distribution agreement for stereolithography (SL) resin. Under the terms of this agreement, 3D Systems will distribute DSM Somos’ stereolithography resins.
DSM Somos plans to continue to manufacture, market and distribute its products directly, as well as through its existing network of authorized distributors. 3D Systems plans to promote, sell and support DSM Somos resins worldwide while continuing to manufacture, market and distribute its own Accura® SL resins.
"DSM looks forward to the enhanced distribution of Somos products that will be made possible through 3D Systems' established distribution network," says DSM Somos Business Manager Jim Reitz. "We believe this will fully complement our current direct sales efforts and established distribution channels. Broadening market access to Somos products will also further support our development efforts, allowing Somos to continue its focus on innovative new materials for the solid imaging market."
“We are pleased to enter into this relationship with an industry leader such as DSM," said Abe Reichental, 3D Systems’ president and chief executive officer. "Adding the DSM Somos product line to our customer solutions portfolio will provide our customers with greater flexibility, a broader selection of materials and access to our entire family of SLA system expert solutions. We believe that this relationship will enhance our ability to serve our customers by providing a broader range of materials, will enable DSM to expand its own distribution channels, and will contribute favorably to our business model."
About DSM Somos
DSM Somos is currently the world’s second largest materials supplier to the rapid prototyping industry, providing stereolithography liquids and selective laser sintering powders used for the creation of three-dimensional models and prototypes directly from digital data. Somos’ patented ProtoFunctional® materials are used by a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical and telecommunications. Somos' corporate office is located at: 2 Penn’s Way, New Castle, DE 19720, USA, Tel. +1-302-326-8100, Americas@dsmsomos.info . For more information on DSM Somos in Europe: Fax. +39 06 9871694, Europe@dsmsomos.info
DSM Somos is an unincorporated division of DSM Desotech—a world leader in the development of UV-curable materials—and a member of the global DSM family. More information about the companies can be found at www.dsmsomos.com and www.dsmdesotech.com .
About 3D Systems
Founded in 1986, 3D Systems®, the solid imaging companySM, provides solid imaging products and systems solutions that reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing. Its systems utilize patented proprietary technologies to create physical objects from digital input that can be used in design communication, prototyping, and as functional end-use parts. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com, or by phoning (888) 337-9786, ext. 2882, or (661) 295-5600, ext. 2882 from outside the United States, or via email at moreinfo@3dsystems.com.
DSM
DSM is active worldwide in life science and nutritional products, performance materials and industrial chemicals. The company specializes in innovative products and services that help improve the quality of life and DSM products are currently used in a wide range of end markets and applications such as human and animal nutrition and health, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive and transport, coatings, housing and electrics & electronics (E&E). The group has annual sales (pro forma including the recent acquisition - renamed DSM Nutritional Products) of approximately EUR 8 billion and employs about 26,000 people around the world. Ranking among the global leaders in many of its fields, DSM is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations in Europe, Asia and the Americas. More information about DSM can be found at www.dsm.com <http://www.dsm.com/>
