Technology is turning the world upside down for manufacturing and distribution
In 3D printing, we once again have a new technology that could upend supply chains, business models, customer relationships — entrepreneurship itself. 3D printing could do to physical goods what cloud computing is now doing to digital services; what the PC, internet and smart mobility have done to computing; what outsourcing did to software development and business processing. That is, take mass distribution and innovation to the next level, while realigning the very geography of work and trade.
Why address 3D now?
Any significant technology that emerges has a few things in common. It impacts different industries at different times, places and levels of disruption. It poses both opportunity and risk. And it raises tax, legal and policy implications that can trip up corporate leaders and global policymakers alike as they are in full stride toward the future.