The United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released a follow-up whitepaper looking at developments in 3D printing in the logistics marketplace, and what it could mean for USPS.
OIG released the original report If It Prints, It Ships: 3D Printing and the Postal Service in July 2014, which detailed how the widespread adoption of 3D printing could lead to a major increase in commercial package shipments for USPS.
The latest report examines the uptake of 3D printing by business sectors such as the retail industry, and how it may fundamentally change where and when products are produced, stored and delivered. It states that the largest impact from 3D printing is likely to fall on the logistics industry, potentially disrupting global air cargo, ocean container shipments and the freight trucking business. It also claims that localized production through 3D printing will help shorten supply chains and ultimately reduce delivery times.
Foreign postal operators and other logistics organizations are already working with 3D printing companies to offer unique services and OIG believes that by monitoring 3D printing developments, USPS could better prepare for the fundamental changes to come in the global logistics landscape.
To read more from the report click here.
October 13, 2015
