The existing supply chain will be disrupted with the adoption of 3D Printing in manufacturing. The extent of disruption depends on the level at which this adoption takes place. The supply chain in the conventional manufacturing setup includes a number of stakeholders from material suppliers ,component supplier to the final customers. 3D Printing can effectively reduce this supply chain to eliminate one or more players.

3D printing will drive decentralized manufacturing. In a decentralized manufacturing setup, logistics companies will no longer have to transport finished goods half way though the globe. However, the last mile delivery of products will increase .This assessment is based on the realities in the e-commerce sector. Companies need to be agile enough to counter disruptions of this magnitude.

3D Printers can be installed in warehouses to meet immediate component demands of industrial customers. Logistics companies are already exploring such opportunities. DHL is partnering with SAP to provide Distributed manufacturing services, converting its’ existing warehouses to house 3D Printers.Their SAP® Distributed Manufacturing application aims to convert warehouses in airports into small production facilities.

The Benefits for Customers in such as scenario are :

•Minimized inventory for slow-moving parts while meeting time-sensitive customer needs

•Quick and cost effective transition from idea to final product with rapid prototyping

•Improve production consistency with high-quality, low-cost certified parts

The Logistics provider In fact becomes a manufacturer.

Moving further close to the consumer,3D printing at the retail level will drive customization/personalisation. Ministry of Supply , a clothing manufacturing startup is already experimenting 3D Printing to provide highly customized clothing for its customers. Its store in Boston can make a garment on demand in 90 minutes, according to the customer’s design. This level of personalization can drive customer loyalty and engagement.3D Printing at the retail chain allows a path that is focused on what consumers need — customer engagement, products that are ‘to the purpose’ and crafted to consumers’ needs.

“By 2025, 3D printers will print clothing at very low cost. There will be many free open source designs, but people will still spend money to download clothing files from the latest hot designer just as people spend money today for eBooks, music and movies despite all of the free material available.”

-Ray Kurzweil , Futurologist and Director of Engineering at Google

Moving to the final chain in the supply chain, the consumer,3D Printing at this level will drive democratized manufacturing .ie. when each and every household owns an industrial grade 3D printer.This presents a plethora of opportunities for manufacturers and the public alike.Asset light manufacturing platforms could be a reality in future, wherein, the OEMs would not have to own large factories but could outsource manufacturing to 3D printing communities.Though not an industrial scale , such communities are already growing catering to millions around the world. 3D Hubs, an online 3D printing service platform connects home fabricators around the world. The platform allows the user to select the nearest 3D printer and get his design printed from a selected range of materials. With 3D Printing regulations coming into place and a better ecosystem to facilitate 3D Printing , OEMs could outsource manufacturing to communities of 3D Printers. Thus, home Fabricators could well become the factories of the future.