COMMENT: Will 3D printing yield greater supply chain flexibility?

From fully functioning cars and lawnmowers to life-size castles and even a replica of Vincent van Gogh’s ear, there have been countless extraordinary examples of objects created entirely with 3D printing technology. Beyond these one-off examples, 3D printing – a form of additive manufacturing – is bringing time and cost efficiency and environmental gains to some areas of the manufacturing industry. But how disruptive a force will 3D printing be?