OREANDA-NEWS. UPS (NYSE: UPS) today said its partner Fast Radius will open a 3D printing factory in a UPS facility in Singapore by the end of this year, expanding the UPS on-demand 3D printing network to Asia and enabling customers to increase their supply chain efficiency with additive manufacturing.

UPS also will establish an Advanced Solutions team in Asia to create a Centre of Excellence that develops supply chain solutions and promotes wider applicability of 3D printing with customers. Businesses can use the Fast Radius On Demand Production Platform™ to produce industrial parts, which are expedited for delivery via UPS’s global and intra-Asia transportation network.

Companies that virtualize their inventories can not only save costs by reducing the number of parts made “just-in-case” but also can produce smaller quantities cost effectively and with the same quality, in addition to minimizing lead-times because parts are produced closer to where they are needed.  

UPS announced the expansion during a press event that also was attended by representatives from the Singapore Economic Development Board, Fast Radius and SAP. In May, UPS and SAP announced a co-innovation agreement to collaborate on a solution that would integrate SAP’s extended supply chain and internet of things solutions with the UPS additive manufacturing and logistics network, to “connect the manufacturing floor to the customer door.” 

“3D printing will have a significant impact on industrial manufacturing and 21st Century supply chains,” said Ross McCullough, president of UPS Asia Pacific region. “At UPS, we are embracing disruptive technologies and integrating them into our global logistics network. We believe that much like ecommerce digitized and transformed retail, 3D printing will have a similar impact on manufacturing.”

“UPS is the first integrated logistics provider to establish an on-demand 3D printing manufacturing and logistics network in Asia,” McCullough added. “This network will help Asia strengthen its position as a manufacturing hub.” 

Businesses of all sizes can use 3D printing to:

  • Reduce inventory for slow-moving parts
  • Lower transportation costs as goods travel digitally
  • Produce less costly and shorter production runs compared to traditional manufacturing
  • Prototype and manufacture initial production runs with lower capital and less time
  • Customize goods in a more cost-effective manner
  • Create and receive high quality rapid prototypes quickly

“UPS’s 3D printing Centre of Excellence reinforces Singapore as an innovation-driven economy,” said Michelle Ho, managing director of UPS in Singapore. “Having Fast Radius’ factory connected to UPS’s network means customers can send their 3D printing orders by 5 p.m. and have them delivered to their customers in most major Asian cities within 24 hours?. The automotive, high tech, aeronautic and aviation, healthcare and retail industries have a lot of opportunity to take advantage of this type of manufacturing.”

“The decision to locate the first international on-demand 3D printing factory here is testimony to Singapore’s readiness to partner with logistics companies in creating innovative supply chain solutions. We recognize that additive manufacturing could potentially transform supply chains. We believe that deepening our capabilities in this area could further strengthen the logistics industry through business model innovation and the creation of new solutions,” said Lee Eng Keat, director of logistics, Singapore Economic Development Board.

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. 

About Fast Radius

Fast Radius is a provider of direct digital manufacturing (additive manufacturing) services to the consumer products, packaging, aerospace, automotive, transportation, and medical industries. Headquartered in Atlanta, Fast Radius currently serves designers, engineers, and manufacturers throughout the United States. 

About the Singapore Economic Development Board

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead government agency for planning and executing strategies to enhance Singapore’s position as a global business centre. EDB dreams, designs and delivers solutions that create value for investors and companies in Singapore. Our mission is to create for Singapore, sustainable economic growth with vibrant business and good job opportunities. EDB’s ‘Home’ strategy articulates how we are positioning Singapore for the future. It is about extending Singapore's value proposition to businesses not just to help them improve their bottom line, but also to help them grow their top line through establishing and deepening strategic activities in Singapore to drive their business, innovation and talent objectives in Asia and globally.