In an era of evolving trade policies, tariffs are significantly reshaping global supply chains. Recent tariffs—such as the 25% imposed on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% on imports from China— threaten to drastically increase the cost of imported parts, creating financial burdens for manufacturers. Industries that once relied on overseas production must now find innovative ways to mitigate these disruptions. One solution gaining traction is 3D printing (additive manufacturing), which offers companies a cost-effective, localized alternative to traditional supply chains.
Some companies resort to stockpiling parts before tariffs take effect. While this provides a temporary solution, it increases warehousing costs and ties up capital that could be better used elsewhere. In many cases, excess inventory can become obsolete before it is even needed.
Manufacturers seeking alternative suppliers outside tariff-affected regions face added sourcing challenges. Finding reliable, high-quality suppliers in new locations is time-consuming and costly, potentially leading to compatibility issues with existing production lines and increasing the risk of assembly line disruptions if parts fail to meet required specifications.
Many industries, from automotive to industrial manufacturing, depend on imported parts to maintain operations. Tariffs inflate costs, forcing businesses to either absorb the price hike or pass it on to customers, affecting overall market competitiveness. With tariffs in place, businesses must navigate additional bureaucracy, leading to supply chain disruptions and longer lead times. These disruptions can be particularly costly in sectors where immediate replacements are crucial, such as aerospace, energy, and transportation.
By producing parts in-house or through Stratasys' Global Manufacturing Network, which is uniquely positioned to provide access to Stratasys Printer reliability and quality through our established network of over 50K printers globally, companies can bypass tariffs, import duties, and costly shipping fees. This leads to substantial cost savings, particularly for industries reliant on specialized components.
With additive manufacturing, businesses can produce parts only when needed, reducing storage requirements and eliminating the risks associated with overstocking.
Rather than waiting weeks for shipments, companies can leverage Stratasys' 3D printing services to produce parts within days, ensuring faster turnaround times for maintenance and production needs.
Unlike traditional manufacturing, 3D printing allows for easy customization. This is especially valuable for companies maintaining older machinery where spare parts may no longer be available through traditional suppliers.
Conventional manufacturing requires expensive molds and tooling. 3D printing eliminates these costs, making it the ideal solution for producing small batches of parts efficiently and cost-effectively.
Since 3D printing is an additive process, it generates less material waste than traditional subtractive manufacturing. This not only leads to cost savings but also aligns with corporate sustainability goals.
By adopting 3D printing, Northrop Grumman reduced rocket motor tooling production time from one year to just six weeks, achieving significant cost savings and increased efficiency.
TE Connectivity leveraged DLP 3D printing to produce highly accurate electrical connectors for low-volume production, eliminating the need for costly injection molding processes.
H&T Presspart utilized Stratasys’ P3™ DLP technology to manufacture pharmaceutical components with extremely tight tolerances. This enabled high precision while maintaining cost-efficiency.
Roush used Stratasys 3D printing to redesign and manufacture truck camera mounts under a tight deadline, saving 35% in costs compared to traditional manufacturing. Read the case study here.
Unilever adopted 3D printing for prototyping and manufacturing aids, leading to a 40% reduction in lead times and 35% cost savings—enhancing their overall production efficiency.
Tariffs continue to disrupt global supply chains, increasing costs and creating uncertainty for manufacturers. To mitigate these risks, companies must adopt innovative solutions like 3D printing, which enables localized production, cost stability, and supply chain resilience.
By eliminating tariff-related costs, reducing lead times, and enabling on-demand manufacturing, additive manufacturing empowers businesses to remain agile and competitive. Companies looking to future-proof their operations should explore reshoring strategies and leverage Stratasys’ Global Manufacturing Network to stay ahead in an evolving trade landscape.
Gurvinder S. Kahlon is the Vice President & General Manager of Stratasys Direct. With a wealth of experience in Digital Manufacturing, Semiconductor Technologies, Software Development, and Factory Automation spanning over 20 years, Gurvinder brings a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on expertise to the table. He holds an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Mumbai.
