Keene Village Plastics, a maker of filaments for 3D printing, has purchased MakeShaper, beefing up its business in the consumer and hobby market.
KVP extrudes 3D printing filaments, as well as thermoplastic welding rod, on 15 extrusion lines at its plant in Barberton, Ohio. John Hosbach, plant manager and general manager, said Keene Village Plastics acquired the MakeShaper brand name, book of business and social media sites, but did not purchase any production from MakeShaper's plant in Sanford, N.C., to move to Barberton.
Terms were not disclosed. KVP already was serving the hobby market, as well as a wide range of other 3D printing markets such as medical, military, education and architecture.
Hosbach said lower prices for 3D printers has boosted demand for markets such as schools, personal users and hobbyists.
"What's interesting is the price on these printers is coming down to a really, really low point," Hosbach said, opening new markets like schools. "The way kids are designing stuff, it's great how many people are involved in that."
Hosbach said that as 3D printers become more common in schools and homes, these users will promote the technology on the job, including in smaller companies, fueling its adoption even more.
MakeShaper is a well-known name on the home market, Hosbach said.
"They had a really good customer base in the consumer side, and they did a nice job with their website," he said.
In 2018, the Mayfield Heights, Ohio-based Keene Family of Cos. bought Village Plastics Co. from 3D Systems. Under Keene, the renamed Keene Village Plastics offered 3D filament to retail customers for the first time.
KVP, which employs 12 people, extrudes more than 1 million pounds of filament a year.