Should Logistics Firms Fear 3-D Printing?

3-D printing has generated a lot of buzz over the past decade, but so far the technology that some predicted would completely change the way people shop online hasn't lived up to its hype. While 3-D printers have improved drastically in recent years, slow printing times and a lack of functionality has kept them from becoming a mainstream solution. However, just because the devices haven't quiet caught on yet doesn't mean they won't in the future. UPS Embraces 3-D That's the thinking behind UPS Corp's UPS latest investment in a fleet of 3-D printers which have been dispersed at several locations. The company has installed roughly 100 industrial-grade 3D printers in an effort to embrace the technology rather than fear it. While printing isn't likely to upset the logistics business in the near term, UPS execs say they are making the investment in order to avoid turmoil down the line like the industry faced when the internet and e-mail made overnight document shipping services all but obsolete. 3-D Adoption TNT Express NV, a Dutch delivery company that FedEx Corp FDX is acquiring, is also investing in 3-D Printing. The company recently began to offer 3-D printing at select locations in Germany. Amazon.com Inc. AMZN has also been keen to explore how the technology can shift its business, the e-commerce giant has a patent for a 3-D printing truck that would allow delivery vehicles to print objects on the go. Innovation Needed 3-D printers may not be at the height of their popularity just yet, but many firms are still turning to the technology as a cheap way to make spare parts. Many appliance companies use 3-D printers to make scale models or small parts for showrooms. Others firms use the technology to create spare parts and fix broken items in the moment rather than waiting for a part to be delivered. These use cases are expected to continue increasing in the years to come as the printers become more advanced, something which could upset logistics firms if they aren't prepared for the shift.