A worldwide revolution in manufacturing

While North America still dominates the 3D printing market with 43% of the world’s business, Europe is expected to become the largest world market this year, with the Asian market also growing rapidly. Now more than ever, innovative additive manufacturing brands need to think, act and market globally. 

While the pendulum has swung hard back and forth in the consumer 3D printing market, the industrial market quietly continues to account for much of the overall growth in 3D printing. Price, speed and novelty remain the name of the game in the consumer market (a search for “affordable 3D printers” returns machines for as low as $159.99) — but industry has other priorities.

As industry rapidly adopts additive manufacturing technology, the 3D printer market has pivoted to hyper-specialized, industrial B2B applications. Industries need to know how 3D printing will complement their existing ecosystem — dependably and profitably. When 3D printer brands can quantify how they will improve workflow, industry will listen.

More than print speed, industry cares about overall production speed

When 3D printer brands position their product not as a be-all, end-all, but as a critical part of an overall production process, their message hits home with industry. The dirty little secret about 3D printing for investment casting with metal, for example, is that 70% of the cost is tied up in pre- and post-processing. The price and speed of 3D printers is less critical than how it will increase efficiency of the rapid prototyping and short-run manufacturing process overall.

Innovative 3D printer brands need to speak effectively to each player in the sales cycle

Like many innovative technology companies, additive manufacturing brands are good at talking tech to techies. But to make real inroads in the industrial space, you need to go beyond techies. You must prove how your product will be a sound investment to procurement. And you need to demonstrate to the C-Suite how your 3D printing technology will improve their brand and deliver long-term value.

Read more about how innovative 3D printer brands are thriving in the industrial market.