In times of increasing uncertainty in global supply chains, more and more companies are turning to additive manufacturing to respond more flexibly to market demands. The London-based company 3D People offers on-demand 3D printing solutions that enable the production of components as needed, reducing reliance on traditional supply processes. Using technologies such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and MultiJet Fusion (MJF), the company provides an alternative to conventional manufacturing methods, which are often associated with long lead times, high tooling costs, and rigid production quantities.
Felix Manley, co-founder of 3D People, emphasises the shift in mindset that is now essential for modern manufacturing. “Speed, flexibility, and precision — this is what today’s manufacturers need. Companies no longer want to be locked into large order quantities or held back by months-long lead times. On-demand AM lets them prototype, iterate, and scale without the waste and inefficiencies of traditional production.”
Particularly in industries with high precision requirements, such as medical technology, tooling, or consumer goods, additive manufacturing offers significant advantages.
Sasha Bruml, co-founder of 3D People, points out that the pace of business today demands a more responsive manufacturing model. “The old way of manufacturing was built on long production runs and inflexible supply chains. But business today moves faster. If you’re still relying solely on traditional manufacturing methods, you’re falling behind. On-demand AM gives companies the ability to react instantly, scale effortlessly, and minimise risk.” This approach has already proven valuable in industries requiring complex, high-precision parts, such as consumer products, industrial tooling, and medical devices.
The increasing adoption of additive manufacturing technologies demonstrates that on-demand 3D printing is no longer a niche concept but has become an integral part of modern production strategies. Companies that embrace this flexibility benefit from optimized development cycles, lower costs, and increased innovation speed. With a growing market for on-demand manufacturing, the question is no longer if companies will transition to additive manufacturing but when this step will become necessary to remain competitive.
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