Folks who grew up in the 1960s came of age with a comprehension of 3D printing that their elders probably didn’t have, thanks to the space-age TV programs they watched. Three-dimensional printing was still largely theoretical in those days, though; in the 21st century, it is a real technology, still nascent but growing and expected to flourish in the near future.
3D printing, in essence, is the process of making a three-dimensional object. It certainly doesn’t refer to printing in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a potentially revolutionary procedure that has a wide range of applications, some of which are no longer theoretical. In fact, 3D printers are being used to create prosthetic human body parts.
Whereas traditional printing is done on paper, 3D printing involves a variety of materials. 3D Systems (DDD, Financial) is credited with inventing 3D printing technology; in the industry, it is recognized as the developer of stereolithography, the process by which solid objects "print" thin layers of an ultraviolet material on top of each other to form an object with height and width. 3D Systems, which was founded in California in 1986, sells equipment used by 3D printing companies.
Perhaps in recognition of the fact that 3D printing has so many potential applications – and in support of their product – two insiders at 3D Systems of Rock Hill, S.C., bought company stock after quarterly reports were issued in November.
Director Walter G. Loewenbaum II, the second-largest stakeholder among 3D Systems’ insiders, was the most recent company insider to buy stock. Loewenbaum made four separate purchases of company stock in November, acquiring nearly 42,000 shares. Director Kevin S. Moore bought 5,000 shares on Nov. 19.
The largest stakeholder in the company, President and CEO Abraham N. Reichental, last bought stock in the company in August 2014.
Two other 3D Systems insiders traded in company stock in November, but they sold shares instead of buying them.
Damon J. Gregoire, EVP of Mergers and Acquisitions, sold 45,000 shares on Nov. 19. Dr. Charles W. Hull, EVP and chief technology officer, sold 10,000 shares on that date.
The price of a share of 3D Systems was $28.91 when the market closed on Thursday.
Gurus who own stock in 3D Systems are Chase Coleman (Trades, Portfolio), Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio), John Burbank (Trades, Portfolio), PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) and Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio).
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