The era of agile, low-volume production-on-demand is here

As traditional manufacturing wrestles with global supply chain disruptions, soon to be enforced tariffs, shifting consumer demands, and relentless calls for customisation, London-based sub-contract 3-D printing bureau 3D People says that low-volume production on-demand is no longer a limitation — it is a strategic advantage.

3D People has announced plans to redouble its efforts to cater for low-volume production demands for its customers, a demand that is by no means new, but which reflects the increased orders for fast, flexible, and functional additive manufacturing (AM) parts in batches that are too small for traditional manufacturing methods.

Sasha Bruml, co-founder of 3D People, said: “Companies are waking up to the fact that tooling costs, minimum order quantities, and inflexible design cycles are killing their ability to adapt. That is where AM shines. Low-volume production on-demand is no longer a compromise — it is a competitive edge.”

Across a variety of industries and application areas, demand is rising for high-quality, functional end-use parts in small batches — with short lead times and the freedom to iterate. For many, the ability to produce 50 or 500 precision parts without tooling is re-shaping how they launch products and serve customers.

Cutting out waste
Felix Manley, co-founder of 3D People, said: “We have been running hundreds of low-volume projects across SLS and MJF for years. Today, however, the demand is at an unprecedented level. It is not just about cost — it is about speed, flexibility, and cutting out waste. Customers are re-thinking manufacturing from the ground up, and AM is giving them a whole new playbook.”

Far from a fallback option, 3D People positions AM as the go-to solution for fast-moving, design-led production where performance, aesthetics, and agility matter more than volume. With shorter product cycles and tighter feedback loops becoming the norm, the companies thriving in 2025 are the ones that can make parts on-demand, pivot without penalties, and go to market faster than ever.

Mr Bruml concluded: “This is not about hype — it is about hard truths. The old rules do not apply anymore. Agile, low-volume manufacturing is here, and it is levelling the playing field for innovators everywhere.”

3D People’s continued focus on streamlining its low-volume production service is a direct response to this industry shift — a bold, practical step that redefines what smart manufacturing can look like today.