The British 3D printing service provider 3D People is responding to structural changes in the manufacturing sector with a clear focus on small series production. In the face of persistent supply chain problems, the threat of tariffs and growing demands for customization, more and more companies are turning to additive manufacturing as an economical alternative to conventional production.
“Companies are waking up to the fact that tooling costs, minimum order quantities, and inflexible design cycles are killing their ability to adapt,” says Sasha Bruml, Co-Founder of 3D People. “That’s where AM shines. Low-volume production on-demand is no longer a compromise — it’s a competitive edge.”
3D People is observing an increasing demand for functional end products in small quantities that are to be realized without expensive tooling costs and minimum order quantities. Additive processes such as selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi-jet fusion (MJF) play a central role in this. The platform enables customers to produce batch sizes of between 50 and 500 pieces – with short lead times and the ability to quickly adapt designs.
“We’ve been running hundreds of low-volume projects across SLS and MJF for years,” says Felix Manley, Co-Founder of 3D People. “Today, however, the demand is becoming unprecedented. It’s not just about cost — it’s about speed, flexibility, and cutting out waste. Customers are rethinking manufacturing from the ground up, and additive is giving them a whole new playbook.”
“This isn’t about hype — it’s about hard truths,” adds Bruml. “The old rules don’t apply anymore. Agile, low-volume manufacturing is here, and it’s levelling the playing field for innovators everywhere.”
With the further expansion of its manufacturing services, 3D People aims to position itself as a strategic partner for companies looking to integrate agile production methods into their processes. Dispensing with tool-based production is therefore not seen as a limitation, but rather as a structural advantage – especially in markets that require short innovation cycles and rapid market launches.
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