The traditional manufacturing model has done much to help improve productivity, consistency, quality control and worker safety. Yet, it also has shortcomings, including high minimum order requirements, little to no customization, long lead times (how long it takes between ordering something and it being delivered), and the cost of having to store excess inventory.
One big drawback issue with traditional manufacturing is having to accurately predict what customers will want and need months in advance.
Ordering and making too little creates a supply shortage and customers may opt to go elsewhere. Make too much and unsold stock must be stored, sold at a discount or disposed of. All of which costs money.
The difficult task of demand forecasting has become more challenging in line with changing consumer needs and habits. This is just one example of how the limitations of traditional manufacturing are beginning to outweigh its benefits.
Customers have grown to expect products and experiences tailored to their specific desires, and they don’t want to wait weeks for delivery. Faced with an urgent need to become more agile, flexible and responsive, companies are turning to on-demand manufacturing.