Released on October 1, 2009

Rapid prototyping firm 3D Systems Corp., Rock Hill, S.C., has acquired Acu-Cast Technologies, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., which manufactures rapid castings, among other prototype solutions.

According to a company press release, 3D Systems acquired Acu-Cast in a non-material transaction. 3D Systems expects the acquisition to be accretive to its future operating income.

“We expect that the synergies generated by combining our latest generation of [rapid manufacturing] systems and materials with Acu-Cast’s extensive experience in additive and traditional manufacturing will provide our customers with the ultimate one-stop shopping experience,” said Abe Reichental, president and chief executive officer of 3D Systems.

3D Systems reported it plans to integrate its own rapid manufacturing centers in Rock Hill, S.C., and Darmstadt, Germany, with the Acu-Cast facilities to create a global service and intends to grow both internally and through additional strategic acquisitions. The company said it plans to leverage the relative proximity of the Acu-Cast facilities to major overnight distribution hubs to offer same-day shipping service to its customers.

“Over the past decade, we have become an important extension of the in-house modeling, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities of many of our customers, as well as a fulfillment partner for many service bureaus,” said Gary Mitchell, former president of Acu-Cast.