UPS & the Manufacturing Process: 3D Printers

One of the biggest and well known delivery firms, UPS has launched a new program to allow consumers to use 3D printing technology in their stores. The company announced that it had partnered with Stratasys, a Minneapolis based firm to offer the 3D printers in 6 select locations. The program is currently being run as a trial only, in order to inspect the reaction consumers have to this new technology, and the platform that it is being launched on.

Customers could enter the store with a a design and have them printed out in plastic as three dimensional solid objects in a variety of colors. The printers are also capable of reverse engineering objects to reproduce them, creating quite an issue for copy right and patent infringement. The effects of the mass availability of 3d printers is an unconquered frontier with many unforeseen challenges ahead.

It is apparent that UPS has identified a shift in the manufacturing process , as UPS relies on a traditional manufacturing process in order to run their delivery business, manufacturing items in one location and transporting them to the end user, manufacturer etc. If small companies or repair men can simply print out replacement parts at a UPS store, the firm has identified that 3d printing is direct competition to it’s traditional business and opted to spear head it’s release in order to have control over the technology.

This could be a brilliant move on UPS’s behalf.

An interesting article : http://www.economist.com/blogs/schumpeter/2013/08/3d-printing