In September 2014, Ricoh Company Ltd. opened two Ricoh “Rapid Fab” facilities in Japan to offer 3D print services to customers and spearhead research and development into 3D printing technologies and applications.
Today, Ricoh Europe announced a new partnership with Leapfrog 3D Printers that will see:
- Ricoh become an official reseller of the award-winning Leapfrog Creatr HS 3D printer and other models in Europe from January 2015.
- Ricoh will provide a complete package of support for customers around the Leapfrog 3D printers, including the ability to add 3D printers to existing Ricoh imaging print service contract. They will provide comprehensive service, from IT services to consultation, installation, training and support, to help customers apply 3D printing technology in their organisation.
The following video presents Leapfrog 3D Printers Creatr HS (high speed):
HS stands for High Speed: printing up to 5 times faster than the regular Creatr. With an astonishing print volume of 14.8 liters and the possibility to 3D print objects up to 30cm of length, the Creatr HS is the most versatile 3D printer on the market. The Creatr HS is also much more convenient since it is stand-alone featuring a 4inch full color LCD screen and the ability to print directly from USB. By standard the Creatr HS 3D printer is equipped with dual extrusion.
Leapfrog Creatr HS 3D printer
PRESS RELEASE
Ricoh Europe Partners with Leapfrog 3D Printers
London, 21 January 2015 – – Ricoh Europe today announced a new partnership with Leapfrog 3D Printers that will see Ricoh become an official reseller of the award-winning Leapfrog Creatr HS 3D printer and other models in Europe from January 2015. Ricoh will provide a complete package of support for customers around the Leapfrog 3D printers, including the ability to add 3D printers to existing Ricoh imaging print service contract. The partnership will initially be available to customers in Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands and the UK, with wider availability across Europe during 2015.
Ricoh and Leapfrog 3D Printers will initially focus on customers in the education sector, expanding to support customers in the engineering and manufacturing sectors over time. Both companies are well established in the education sector, where schools, colleges and universities are using 3D printers to enrich teaching across STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and design subjects. Leapfrog 3D Printers already provides educational 3D print packages and curriculum materials, while Ricoh offers tailored print installation, management, training and support contracts.
Today’s news follows a global announcement from Ricoh Company Ltd. in September launching a new additive manufacturing business and outlining its broader 3D printing strategy. This included the opening of two Ricoh “Rapid Fab” facilities in Japan to offer 3D print services to customers and spearhead research and development into 3D printing technologies and applications.
The move into 3D printing is a natural evolution for Ricoh. It already has an established 3D print head development and manufacturing operation, acting as an OEM for a number of 3D printer manufacturers. It also has a number of technologies in prototyping and moulding, in addition to its accumulated experience utilising 3D printers for its own product design processes over the past 20 years.
Olivier Vriesendorp, Director, Product Marketing, Ricoh Europe commented, “As 3D printer capabilities develop, Ricoh customers in Europe are beginning to evaluate the role that this potentially game-changing technology can play in their organisations. This partnership with Leapfrog 3D Printers combines its award-winning range of 3D printers with Ricoh’s strengths in the education sector providing comprehensive service, from IT services to consultation, installation, training and support, to help customers apply 3D printing technology in their organisation. Today’s announcement underlines Ricoh’s next step in the development of Ricoh’s 3D printing business in Europe. As customer demand for 3D print steadily increases, we will continue to evolve our products and services to meet their needs.”
Mathijs Kossen, CEO of Leapfrog 3D Printers said: “Ricoh Europe shares our mission of adding real value for businesses and schools by providing them with a combination of the right tools and services. Besides high quality 3D printers, we also offer complete solutions that provide a customised mix of 3D printing hardware, software, print materials, and learning platforms to different user groups. I am very pleased that Ricoh will now add their state-of-the-art support and training services to this mix.”
Ricoh has extensive experience of partnering with education institutions to help drive modernisation and efficiencies, providing a range of services, from the printing and collation of course materials and security for confidential papers and research, to support of mobile strategies and the enablement of remote learning. Change management support ensures that with any technology implementation, processes to support users are developed to help drive adoption. By offering quality facilities and services for both students and staff across management, research and teaching, institutions are best placed to attract incoming students and funding.
Ricoh Europe and Leapfrog 3D Printers will be exhibiting at the Bett show at Excel, London from 21-24 January 2015 on stand E91, where attendees will be able to find out more about the partnership, the value this can offer organisations and see the Creatr HS product.
| About Ricoh |
Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2014, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,195 billion yen based on the IFRS accounting standard (approx. 21.3 billion USD).
The majority of the company’s revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.
Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change. Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.
For further information, please visit www.ricoh-europe.com.
| About Leapfrog 3D Printers |
Leapfrog 3D printers is a producer of desktop and professional 3D printers based in The Netherlands. Their aim is to help professionals and schools to uncover all the benefits 3D printing can offer for them. In order to do this, they work closely together with their customers, whom they treat as partners. Leapfrog 3D Printers therefore understands that 3D printing is about much more than just the 3D printer itself; It is about the printing materials, about software, about hardware add-ons, about services and about educating the market. This is called Leapfrog Solutions: which includes all the tools user groups need to add real value for their purpose. Their current solutions focus on schools, mechanical engineers and on 3D printer novices and more are on the way. Keep an eye on Leapfrog 3D Printers, because, together with their clients, they Create the Future.
Find out more through www.lpfrg.com.
