Some of the largest shipping services have become interested in 3D printing applications in recent times, mainly to experiment with it and to be informed on its developments. It happened with UPS and Swiss Mail, now it’s TNT’s turn.
The German division of the global shipping service has signed a partnership with Berlin-based 3D printing service provider trinckle 3D. According to the terms of the deal, TNT gets access to advanced technology and market competence to support their customers in the implementation of 3D printing applications.
“Due to 3D printing, the transportation needs and demands of our customers will change without any doubt in the next years,” said TNT’s product manager for Value Added Services, Martin Winand, “we want to shape these process adjustments actively. For this purpose we have trinckle 3D with us now – a professional partner with valuable knowledge in 3D printing technology and production.”
3D printing has been described as a manufacturing technology capable of disrupting the transport industry, by making products produced where they are needed. In fact, at this point, 3D printing has – if anything – strengthened transportation and delivery services since it enables anyone to produce anywhere and that means that someone then has to bring that product to its rightful recipient. In either cases it makes sense that the largest delivery companies are interested in seeing where this technology is heading.
“Together with a top company like TNT, we can push the potential of 3D printing to higher levels,” commented trinckle 3D’s CEO, Florian Reichle. “Above all, the intended communication between numerous companies is a chance for everyone involved to develop and implement profitable solutions.”
By operating an online 3D printing bureau delivering across Europe and offering some of the most affordable prices for the last years, twinkle 3D has acquired advanced competence in the technology and the 3D printing market in general. It can now use this and its 3D software know-how to provide solutions for larger companies wanting to make their first moves into this field. In the case of companies such as TNT, UPS and the like, it is really a case of who will get it first.
