In the changing trends of the global manufacturing industry, small and medium-sized businesses may find themselves at a crossroads. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and rising inflation have thrown traditional supply chains into uncertainty. However, this disruption presents an opportunity for small business owners to rethink their production strategies and embrace more local and agile manufacturing models.
Recent insights from HP highlight this seismic shift in the industry. “How do we transition from a global model to a more responsive, resilient and local model?” This important question applies to manufacturers in a variety of sectors, from footwear to industrial machinery. What is the answer? It is a mix of local production and cutting-edge technologies such as additive manufacturing.
Gone are the days of driving overseas production to cut costs. As labor costs rise and consumer expectations rise globally, manufacturers must quickly adapt to market changes. Additive manufacturing, commonly referred to as 3D printing, has often been categorized as unsuitable for medium- and high-volume production, but it has emerged as a game-changing technology for low-volume, high-complexity parts. HP likens this technology to a powerful enabler that can increase agility and accelerate development cycles.
In particular, HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology stands out for its speed, quality, and consistency. It integrates seamlessly with a variety of design tools and provides a support ecosystem that extends beyond simply selling equipment. HP aims to help companies navigate the complexities of modern production, from materials science to digital workflows.
One of the biggest obstacles small businesses face is the misconception that additive manufacturing is prohibitively expensive. HP’s strategy encourages the company to shift its focus from the cost of individual components to the broader value of supply chain dynamics. For example, what would be the financial impact of launching a product 8-12 weeks sooner? What costs does excess inventory cost? How beneficial is the ability to meet custom requirements in days rather than months? According to HP, actual return on investment will depend on these considerations.
Real-world applications illustrate this shift toward agility. Logistics company Ocado reconfigured its 600 Series warehouse robots using HP technology to reduce the robot’s weight by five times, increase movement speed and reduce setup time by 40 percent. Meanwhile, Blue-White Industries transitioned from relying on outsourced injection molding to utilizing in-house 3D printing. This approach accelerates product development and significantly reduces tooling costs, allowing us to operate a compact 3D print lab that requires just one operator to manage three machines.
AGCO, a manufacturer facing supply chain volatility, also adopted HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology. Starting with a $120,000 prototype, they were able to produce the same item for just $3,200, demonstrating the significant cost savings and flexibility that additive manufacturing can provide.
These success stories demonstrate that the way we think about additive manufacturing must evolve. The industry must prioritize agility and responsiveness over simple cost analysis. Too often decisions are made based on component price rather than embracing broader questions such as time to market or inventory risk.
“Agility is not a trend, but a competitive imperative,” HP emphasizes. While the industry is excited about AI and automation, many leaders are uncertain about how these technologies translate into real benefits. Meanwhile, additive manufacturing is already delivering measurable results, including accelerating development cycles, smartening inventory, and making production more sustainable.
For small businesses looking to future-proof their operations, prioritizing adaptability and strategic local production is the way to go. By combining traditional practices with innovative technologies, business owners have the opportunity to build resilient supply chains that can better withstand disruption.
HP’s call to action is clear. Now is the time for small and medium-sized businesses to move from a reactive stance to a proactive approach that emphasizes resilience. The future of manufacturing depends not only on advanced technologies, but also on agility, the articulation of ideas, and a shift toward strong local strategies.
For additional insight and details on how to take advantage of these advancements, HP provides additional information on additive manufacturing solutions. HP Industrial 3D Printers and Solutions.
This transition may not be easy, but small business owners have the opportunity to redefine their operating strategies to strategically and collaboratively build the next phase.
Image via Envanto
