WAZP’s Decentralized Approach Reduces Supply Chain Length

Irish company WAZP is working toward a global end-to-end supply chain solution, using 3D printing technology to offer more manufacturing technology and supply chain efficiency and advances. While 3D printing doesn’t, or can’t, entirely replace traditional manufacturing techniques, it can provide exceptional supply chain value when used to produce smaller parts with more design complexity, or to produce components that are uneconomic when produced using conventional production processes and techniques. Major companies like IKEA, which WAZP has been working with since 2017, who at first sought prototypes from WAZP, are now collaborating with the 3D printing trailblazer in order to develop and roll out full 3D-printed production on a large scale.

A variety of features make WAZP an attractive manufacturing collaborator. The 3D printing company has a global network of strategically located production facilities, allowing it to help customers meet demand faster and at a lower cost due to the decentralized nature of its manufacturing capabilities. By tapping into WAZP’s geographical diversification, clients are able to introduce new products in new marketplaces more rapidly, while saving on transport costs and cross-border logistics and duties. What’s more, because the WAZP library of products has been entirely digitized, clients are able to virtually test, assess, and even redesign the different components they need before moving into production. This agility and streamlined process allows for faster product innovation, as well as fast product dispersion. 

All this adds up to an additive manufacturing process that is entirely demand-driven. Companies are able to use WAZP’s services to manufacture products on-demand, as orders come in, rather than having to maintain a surplus of inventory. Making actual product manufacturing and inventory aligned to demand not only translates into efficiency, but also boosts sustainability,  a benefit compounded by the reduction in transport distance and time.

WAZP is there to support its customers throughout all phases of the product life cycle. They are able to turn sketches into technical drawings, digitally simulate key technical aspects, and advise on other needs thanks to the flexibility of WAZP’s digitized, decentralized model.

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This article originally appeared in the PSFK iQ report, Radical Approaches to Product Manufacturing & Design.