Supply Chain weekly wrap-up: 5/13/16 – 5/19/16

Large companies getting on board with 3D Printing

The impact of 3D Printing on manufacturing and supply chains as a whole is starting to take shape. The industry seems to be progressing from “gimmick” (mini 3D printed versions of oneself) to mass production at a relatively quick pace. This week, HP announced the release of the world’s first large-scale manufacturing 3D Printer, the HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solution. Stephen Nigro, HP’s head of 3D Printing Business said at a recent event that the company is looking to change the way the world prints parts. This new printer is expected to print 10 times faster than current applications. There are two versions of the machine, one of which offers an end-to-end solution. The price, including the required software, ranges from $130,000 to $150,000.

Nike is one notable company that has entered into a partnership with HP to use these new machines for the manufacturing of some of the brand’s sneakers. For Nike, 3D Printing is nothing new to its operations, however we are certain to see an expansion of the technology in the company’s operations with the addition of these new printing machines. Other companies set to test the new 3D Printers include Johnson & Johnson and BMW. While the high costs for purchasing and setting up these 3D Printers may limit the widespread adoption of the technology, successful tests from major market players will lead to a quicker adoption rate.

Read more on this story here.

A win for the anti-slavery movement along supply chains

A recent challenge posed by the Partnership for Freedom asked supply chain industry experts to come up with new, innovative methods to fight labor trafficking across the value chain. Two firms, Sustainability Incubator & Trace Register, took home the grand prize of $250,000 for their approach to identifying and fighting slavery along the seafood supply chain, an industry that has recently come under fire for its labor practices. The new method provides wholesalers with a way of ensuring that the seafood they buy from various suppliers was not caught or processed using forced or unpaid labor. Both winners claimed they will be investing the prize money into further developing the digital tracking tool. The runner-up in the competition, Good World Solutions, received a $50,000 grant to further develop its proposed mobile technology that would enable workers in poor conditions to quickly and safely provide feedback on their situation.

Read more on the competition results here.

Want to get packages to customers quickly? Be ready to pay!

Warehouse rental prices are on the rise and E-commerce is the main driving force behind this industry development. Increased online sales are pushing up the demand for warehouse space as retailers scramble to find prime locations close to large populations. A recent report from CBRE Inc, a real-estate brokerage firm, confirmed that rates for warehouses in these prime locations jumped 9.9% in 2015 compared to the previous year. The price hikes are especially high in Oakland, which offers wholesalers and retailers prime access to the bustling San Francisco Bay Area market. Rental space prices in this area have experienced a year-over-year increase of 29.8%. Factors such as speed of service and speed of delivery are growing in importance and will continue to contribute to higher rental prices for these coveted warehouse locations.

Read more on the latest warehousing price trends here.

Have a great weekend!