Justin Cunningham, marketing manager at Stratasys, on the value that 3D printing can bring to the packaging industry.
Your elevator pitch: introduce and sell us your company in no more than 280 characters.
My name is Justin Cunningham, I’m marketing manager at 3D printing company, Stratasys. We manufacture industrial and professional 3D printers to help designers, engineers and manufacturers better understand and overcome problems, drive innovation and reduce costs.
Where are your company’s locations? Are there any specific challenges or advantages relating to your geographical location that you could tell us about?
Our EMEA headquarters are in Baden Baden, Germany. I live in Kent in the south of the UK and generally work from home, although we have offices in Aylesbury and Cambridge. We have demo centres in most European countries, so you are never from a Stratasys 3D printer.
Tell us a surprising fact about the market you work in.
While 3D printing and additive manufacturing is certainly coming of age, Stratasys has been making 3D printers for over 30 years! We also now make parts for our 3D printers, using our 3D Printers!
At Packaging Europe we like to watch trends and areas of innovation as they evolve. Can you tell us something we might not be aware of that is driving technology in your sphere?
Stratasys J-Series 3D Printers print clear and opaque materials to mimic coloured glass bottles, jars, and containers. We can print hi-res graphical sharpness that looks exactly like the end product. It allows physical designs to be in the hands of your customers in just a few days.
What would you say is the biggest common misconception that you encounter in your business?
People are amazed at what Stratasys 3D printers can do and the materials we can print. We have 3D printed parts used in packaging production machinery as well as by designers at global packaging design firms to pitch to clients and buyers package concepts for their products.
If the wider packaging industry could be transformed in some way, what kind of change would you like to see?
My personal view is, I would love to see a reduction in wastage. Re-useable packaging where possible, and recyclable packaging where not. I believe 3D printing can help packaging industry leaders realise solutions to these challenges more effectively through better design.
…and how do you envisage your company changing the industry in the coming years?
I believe there is a tremendous opportunity for packaging leaders and innovators to make more from Stratasys 3D printer technology to drive better designs, attract investment and win business. Challenge us to meet your challenges!
