In a move aimed at expanding its ability to manufacture machine parts on-demand, three-dimensional "printing" company 3D Systems (DDD +3.50%) has acquired privately held, Escondido, California-based Rapid Product Development Group for an undisclosed sum.
3D announced the acquisition Wednesday, saying it plans to integrate RPDG into its "Quickparts" business. While not saying so outright, 3D implied that the deal will begin boosting sales and adding to profits in short order, raising its revenue guidance to $460 million to $510 million, and its earnings guidance to $1.05 to $1.20 per share "in connection with the acquisition."
Regardless, investors reacted negatively to the news, bidding down 3D shares by 1.4% in Wednesday trading, to close at $37.71.
