3D printing set to totally disrupt the supply chain

You are either the disruptor or
you are going to be disrupted
– what you can’t be is in denial
any more.
That was the message
from Barloworld Logistics
managing executive: business
development and marketing
at a recent FTW/JCCI
business breakfast
on the impact of
technology on the
freight industry.
“Disruption is
part of the today.
It’s no longer
good enough to
just understand
your industry –
you have to look
around you and
understand
the environment. Platform
businesses like Uber and Air
BnB are totally disrupting
their industries – we have to
have our eyes on the radar
screen all around us.”
In the shipping industry
there’s been talk
of 3D printing
for over five
years already,
says Stubbs,
“Everything
that you
transport
on a ship
can be 3D
printed
so are
shipping
lines
thinking
of it and how are they dealing
with it?” According to Stubbs,
95% of what is shipped could
be printed.
Nike says in five years’
time it will be possible to
print shoes at home by just
ordering the prototype. “This
will disrupt the
supply chain –
although there
will still be a
supply chain
because you
will need the
material to go
into the 3D
printer.”
Autonomous
cars are seen
by many as
the biggest
disruptor of our
lifetime, says
Stubbs. “Car
manufacturers are building
cars with computers in them
but you may have computer
manufacturers building
computers with wheels on
them. Who will win that one?”
The knock-on disruptive
effect is that there's no need for
drivers or parking lots.
“This puts a whole different
perspective on retail space
where at the moment location
is everything. Our cities were
designed around the car –
imagine what this would mean
to property prices and the
design of our cities if we didn’t
need parking spaces.”
Delivery
bots are
real and
happening,
says Stubbs,
but what
customers are
struggling
with is how
to get that
delivery model
profitable. “It’s
redefining the
whole supply
chain and
network.”
In the
airline industry they’re
reducing engine complexity
and have managed to get 855
parts down to 39, she explains.
“For anyone in the supply chain
who does automotive parts or
any parts for industry it’s got to
be disruptive for their business
at some stage.
“These things make you
rethink your supply chain and
the business you’re in. The
large corporate model will
be challenged hugely because
you’re not efficient and
effective.”
In South Africa labour will
be a major hurdle – all these
technologies are affecting blue
collar labour which will affect
all our jobs going forward.
The question is how will it
affect our competitiveness as a
country?
Recent results
of Barloworld’s
supplychainforesight survey,
to which 300 independent
business leaders responded,
reveal that well over half
recognise the value of and
are excited about big data
technology – but over 40%
admit to not being very
knowledgeable about the
technologies.
While only half have
embraced big data, nine out
of 10 believe it will shape the
future. “Curiously, cutting
edge technologies such as 3D
printing and virtual reality are
not at all on the radar of most
respondents.”
INSERT
Nike in five years’
time say it will be
possible to print
shoes at home by
just ordering the
prototype.
– Kate Stubbs