3D Systems and Deloitte, a recognized leader in consulting services for manufacturing and supply chain, change management, and innovation strategy, have announced an exclusive alliance to jointly assist companies and industries adopt and integrate 3D printing design and manufacturing systems and solutions into their business for sustainable competitive advantage. This first-of-its-kind, multi-year alliance will combine 3D System's leading products and solutions with Deloitte's leading strategy, technology, and industry-specific consulting services to develop a platform for learning, experimentation, adoption and business transformation powered by 3D printing solutions and capabilities.

The announcement was made jointly by Avi Reichental, president and chief executive officer of 3D Systems; and Marcus Shingles, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and a leader in Deloitte's Innovation Group.

"In a fiercely competitive environment that is fueled by exponential technologies, companies require an integrated set of advanced design to manufacturing solutions to extend their competitive advantage and business model relevance," said Reichental. "Our teams, through this alliance, bring to bear the expertise, technologies and processes required to provide our mutual clients with the right set of end-to-end solutions, and implementation know-how to manufacture the future."

"The exponential rate of change around 3D printing innovation is providing an opportunity for companies and industries to capture benefit as early adopters," said Shingles. "Together Deloitte and 3D Systems aim to jointly assist clients, champion change, and ultimately pull industries into this new era of opportunity."

As a component of this alliance, Deloitte and 3D Systems will jointly launch and operate a series of solution centers or "labs" in various locations where mutual clients will get exposure to an integrated "future of design and manufacturing" set of required capabilities; from hardware and software to change management, process reengineering, talent and organization, technology integration, legacy retirement, and innovation adoption. These physical environments will be education and design centers, facilitating corporate executive teams in formulating their strategies and short and long term roadmaps for capitalizing on a new era of innovation as it pertains to 3D printing solutions and related innovations.