Stratasys 3D Printing: Shaping Future of Manufacturing

Stratasys at European Business Summit

3D printing growth and opportunity in Europe discussed with policymakers and business community

Ben Lazarus, Stratasys, speaks with Corina Crețu, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, and MEP Andrey Novakov

The European Business Summit (EBS) is one of the largest business policy events in Europe, bringing together an array of European ministers, commissioners and leading European business stakeholders each year. This year’s EBS session gathered 2,400 participants, 150 speakers, 50 sessions and 200 reporters over two days to discuss the current challenges, trends and opportunities for business growth in Europe

Following Dr. Phil Reeves’, Vice President, Strategic Consulting at Stratasys, recent participation in a high-level panel at the European Parliament, Stratasys was invited to Brussels once again to represent the opportunities and impact of 3D printing for advancing European growth. This year saw Stratasys’ Vice President, Business Transformation and PMI, Ben Lazarus, discuss how additive manufacturing can help drive European growth through Education, Design Innovation, and Manufacturing Efficiencies with senior policy makers and European business leaders.

Lazarus’ presentation, “How 3D Printing Can Transform Business Models and How Markets Can Take Advantage,” addressed the impact of additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) on lean manufacturing, empowering talent and, more broadly, on the development of the current Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).

Reducing defects, minimizing overproduction, decreasing lead-times and optimizing talent utilization are critical to established industrial companies and are examples of the benefits 3D printing can bring to many industrial applications and processes.

“Localized production will be a central theme of the industrialized world – the ability to produce products wherever the customer is. 3D printing allows that without having to build huge factories and supply chains,” explained Lazarus. “The  fewer steps you have, the more efficient you become.”

Ben Lazarus, Vice President, Business Transformation and PMI, Stratasys displaying a full-color, multi-material tennis shoe prototype 3D printed on the disruptive Stratasys J750 3D Printer, which removes complex post processing from the 3D printing process.

Lazarus specifically covered these key advantages:

• Production on-demand, not in batches
• Localized production
• Reduced steps in the manufacturing process
• Reduced inventory requirements
• Flexibility to respond quickly and redesign, enabling fast product design iterations

Lazarus also addressed the critical topic of educating the future workforce. “I think the fundamental thing that enables or inhibits growth is education,” he said. “Those economies that invest in inspiring and educating people in technology and math and science will succeed. “

Other high profile speakers at the event included the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, and president of the European Council, Donald Tusk.

Read the full article here >> (and Download your free White Paper on 3D Printing’s Ability to Redefine Manufacturing,  Unleash Design Creativity and Minimize Lead Time)