3D Systems Corp (DDD)

[str8_chuter]

DDD competes directly with SSYS.

PRLB is strictly a service provider so only competes with DDD's service business. PRLB does not manufacture hardware so is likely a customer of DDD. PRLB has been really the only one in the industry reporting continued top-line growth the last couple of years (looks like DDD is joining that club again).

XONE is another small outfit. Reported last week and missed estimates, the stock got crushed (down 18%).

MTLS and VJET are two other small 3-D companies. MTLS is based in Belgium and VJET is based in Germany.

SSYS has had trouble for a while. Company was founded out of a garage in Minnesota back in 1989 but since then has gone thru multiple transformations. Stratasys merged with Objet, an Israeli company, in 2012. The deal specified a 55/45 split for Stratasys/Objet shareholders. Get the feeling that the company culture has never been integrated fully since. Then since the merger, the company went on an acquisition spree. Maybe SSYS is also finally turning things around, they beat estimates recently.