$10 Million Says Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) Buys MakerBot

3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD), on the other hand, would seem a more likely suitor until we note it has already developed a number of a relatively affordable consumer-focused printers with its Cube printer line. In fact, just last month, 3D Systems reminded us that Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) is not only selling one version of its Cube printers online, but will also soon carry the nifty-looking devices in its bricks-and-mortar stores.

Given the relative redundancy, then, and short of simply purchasing MakerBot to shutter its operations, I’m no longer convinced such an acquisition would make sense for 3D Systems, either.

Amazon’s next revolution
In fact, that yet another reason I think Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a front-runner to acquire MakerBot, especially when we consider that this week’s recent acquisition talks supposedly arose from conversations with venture capitalists.

What’s more, like so many acquisitions before it, MakerBot could also serve nicely to complement Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s existing operations.

MakerBot’s already huge Thingiverse design library, for example, could be integrated into Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s core website, thereby giving it unprecedented reach and bolstering more interest in 3-D printing than ever before.

Amazon could also use MakerBot to sell electronic designs for many of its existing products, allowing MakerBot owners to simply print the items out at home instead of waiting for them to be shipped. In the future, as 3-D printing solutions continue to improve and evolve, the number of possible printable products will only continue to rise.

But what do you think? Would Amazon be better off spending its money elsewhere? Is there another company you think is more likely to purchase MakerBot?

By all means, share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The article $10 Million Says Amazon Buys MakerBot originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Steve Symington owns shares of 3D Systems. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems, Amazon.com, and Stratasys; owns shares of 3D Systems, Amazon.com, Staples, and Stratasys; and has options on 3D Systems.

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