Top U.S. franchiser of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers to use 5 Stratasys 3D printers
The UPS Store, Inc., with over 4,300 franchised locations, is the nation’s first retailer to test in-store 3D printing services for retail customers, and small and startup businesses.
The UPS subsidiary is the largest U.S. franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. It just started testing the the Stratasys uPrint SE Plus 3D printer at a San Diego store with five additional Stratasys printers slated for locations in other cities in the coming weeks.
“Start-ups, entrepreneurs and small business owners may not have the capital to purchase a 3D printer on their own, but they may have a need to show prototypes to their current and potential customers,” said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and small business solutions at The UPS Store. “By offering 3D printing capabilities in-center, we’re able to help further our small business customers’ opportunities for success.”
The company said stores participating in the test will be equipped to produce items like engineering parts, functional prototypes, acting props, architectural models, fixtures for cameras, lights and cables.
UPS Stores said it conducted a national online poll with small business owners in June that showed “high interest in trying the services, particularly for those needing to create prototypes, artistic renderings or promotional materials.”
A UPS Store representative told SPAR additional poll result information would be supplied.
