In conversations about reshoring, people usually assume that it means building or retrofitting facilities for U.S. manufacturing, bringing in equipment, and hiring people to operate it.

But what if that isn’t what it is going to look like at all?

The costs and uncertainty associated with tariffs may be changing attitudes about global trade enough that 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, will get its long-speculated opportunity in the spotlight.

3D printing has advantages and disadvantages, and requires a completely different supply management mindset than importing parts. There are also early signs that AI and the rise of “digital inventories” could change the paradigm yet again, giving companies a whole new set of variables to optimize.

In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner shares:

• How 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) is being used today, and what the benefits and risks are
• What we know about the domestic supply chain for 3D printers and parts
• How the concept of digital inventories may shift the paradigm yet again
• Insights from a brand new research project that seeks to calculate a more accurate cost for each 3D printed project

Links:

• Kelly Barner on LinkedIn
• Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter
• Art of Supply on AOP
• Subscribe to This Week in Procurement