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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OEM Companies to Participate in
Global Event in South Africa
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, USA, September 23, 2004—Central
University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in Bloemfontein, South Africa
and Wohlers Associates, Inc. announced today that several original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the rapid prototyping (RP) industry have agreed to participate in the RAPDASA
2004 Conference & Exhibition. RAPDASA is the Rapid Product
Development Association of South Africa. Now in its fifth year, this
annual event has established itself as an important meeting place for
users, educators, researchers, and suppliers involved with RP and related tools and technologies. The
event is
November 2-4 at the Ilanga Estate, situated a short distance from
Bloemfontein. CUT, in cooperation with RAPDASA, is organizing and hosting
the event.
Senior managers and executives from the following companies have agreed to participate in the
RAPDASA exhibition, a special OEM
panel session, and other activities associated with the international
conference:
Mr.
Tom Clay, President, Z Corporation (USA)
Mr. Tim Heller, Managing Director, Stratasys Europe, GmbH (Germany)
Mr. Tracy LaCroix, International Sales Manager, Solidscape Inc. (USA)
Dr. Hans Langer, CEO, EOS GmbH (Germany)
Mr. Mike Rynerson, Vice President, Extrude Hone ProMetal (USA)
Ms. Adina Shorr, CEO, Objet Geometries (Israel)
Mr. Jonny Silasko, representing Huntsman (USA)
Mr. Barry Tsou, General Manager, Shanghai Union Tech (China)
Dr. Yongnian Yan, Beijing Yinhua Laser Rapid Prototypes Making & Mould Technology
(China)
"The
timing is right to expand the conference to include these key companies
and individuals," said Dr. Deon
de Beer, chief director of Technology Management at CUT and
chairman of RAPDASA 2004. "New product development is growing faster than
ever in South Africa, with the automotive industry leading the
way," de Beer explained. "The recent growth presents the
opportunity for these companies to establish their brands as they distribute RP products and services
in our region of the world," he said.
Participation by these OEMs will give conference attendees the opportunity to
interface directly with the top management of these companies.
Industry
consultant and analyst Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates, will chair the
OEM panel session and serve as the event's keynote speaker for the fifth consecutive year.
Central
University of Technology, Free State, is an internationally recognized
institution of higher learning with graduate and
postgraduate programs in engineering, applied natural sciences,
economic sciences, management, and humanities.
RAPDASA was formed in November 2000 to promote
the growth of rapid product development technologies in South Africa.
Wohlers
Associates, Inc. is an 18-year-old independent consulting firm that provides
technical, marketing, and strategic advice on the new developments and
trends in product design, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, tooling, and
manufacturing.
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