Hewlett-Packard (HP) has partnered with UK-incorporated professional services firm Deloitte Consulting to accelerate the digital transformation of the global manufacturing industry through 3D printing.

"The digitalisation of global manufacturing operations and practices will impact companies and consumers around the world, and 3D printing will play an important role in fundamentally changing manufacturing as we know it," said Punit Renjen, Global CEO at Deloitte.

According to joint press statement, "the two companies will collaborate on the implementation of HP's 3D printing systems in large-scale manufacturing environments. The digital operations experience is intended to "help enterprises accelerate product design and production, create more flexible manufacturing and supply chains, and enhance efficiency across the manufacturing lifecycle."

Deloitte and HP will offer solutions that combine Deloitte's business transformation capabilities with HP's managed print, device-as-a-service (DaaS), commercial mobility, and cyber security offerings.

This alliance will begin in first the US and expand to other geographies, as part of the companies' ongoing collaboration designed to accelerate digital transformation for the enterprise. The companies say the alliance will combine HP's 3D Printing solutions and tools with Deloitte's global client reach and deep manufacturing relationships.

Dion Weisler, president and CEO of HP says, "The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. No sector of the global economy is undergoing more radical transformation than the US$12 trillion manufacturing market. Companies investing in digital reinvention are poised to outpace their peers."

The statement notes that this can help increase innovation, accelerate time-to-market, reduce costs and waste, and help large enterprises compete more effectively in today's dynamic global economy.

According to a recent study by market research company Freedonia, which analyses the US$2 billion world 3D printing industry, the demand for 3D printers and software will spike by 21% through 2017, reaching a value of US$5 billion.

Rise in Africa

The majority of the sales will be in the US (42%), Western Europe (25%) and Asia (23%). However, the same report predicts that the number of 3D printing purchases in Africa will also rise by 23% over the same period.

According to InAfrica24, the lack of an established manufacturing sector means that most Africans rely on importing items like machine parts, consumables, household goods, tools and building materials.

"As 3D printing becomes more versatile, African nations can digitally manufacture such objects domestically and reduce dependency on costly imports. It will create an environmentally friendly ecosystem that doesn't require factories, machinery, labour or capital. The savings, both direct and indirect, will afford many people the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty."

John Dulchinos, Vice President of digital manufacturing at US manufacturing services company Jabil says, "3D printing empowers design freedom and product personalisation while delivering a digital thread to transform supply chains and open the door for distributed manufacturing."

"With the potential to lower costs, increase production speed and flexibility, minimise distribution borders, and create entirely new markets worldwide, 3D printing is helping to unlock the promise of a new global industrial revolution."