Managed Print and Growth of AM
The additive manufacturing (AM) sector is rapidly evolving, witnessing significant growth across the UK and Europe. According to the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), additive manufacturing is forecasted to experience a 20% annual growth rate until 2030, driven by industries increasingly adopting AM for volume production and complex components previously unattainable by traditional manufacturing methods.
However, scaling AM to consistent volume production remains challenging. Research from Ernst & Young indicates that 68% of companies integrating additive manufacturing at scale report concerns around quality consistency and reliability—an issue traditionally alleviated through established manufacturing safety nets.
At Ricoh 3D, we bridge this gap, offering a 3D Managed Print service that combines the innovation and flexibility of additive manufacturing with the robust assurances and quality consistency typically associated with traditional, large-scale manufacturing processes.
The 3D Managed Print Solution
Ricoh 3D’s Managed Print service, otherwise known as Contract Manufacturing, allows customers with limited in-house resources, expertise, or equipment to seamlessly transition to reliable, high-volume additive manufacturing. Whether you’re producing a single prototype or a full-scale production run of up to one million parts, our state-of-the-art facility in Telford, UK, is fully equipped to meet your needs. This offering extends to those businesses who may have the hardware for printing, but do not have the time nor expertise to operate it at the desired level. Ricoh 3D can utilise your assets (bringing them in-house) to print and distribute from our own dedicated facility.
Our manufacturing capabilities have been validated by industry giants in the automotive sector, such as Toyota and Volkswagen, as well as critical healthcare providers like the National Health Service (NHS), showcasing our ability to deliver precision, reliability, and compliance across diverse sectors, most notably industrial, automotive, and medical.
Ricoh 3D also holds comprehensive industry certifications including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), ISO 27001 (Information Security), and ISO 13485 (Medical Devices). These accreditations underscore our commitment to true, holistic manufacturing excellence, compliance, and customer confidence.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Sustainability is integral to Ricoh 3D’s Managed Print service. Guided by the Ricoh Green Procurement Standard, our purchasing processes ensure minimal environmental impact, and we work collaboratively with suppliers who share our environmental goals. This commitment not only supports sustainability objectives but also aligns with our customers’ growing environmental responsibilities. In FY24, RICOH has been recognised in the following:
- Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
- Corporate Knights Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations
- Corporate Knights Carbon Clean200 Rankings
- S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025
- CDP A List Climate Action and Water Security Leadership
Support and Industry Assurance
Recognising the industry’s need for consistency and reliability, our Managed Print service offers the reassurance typically provided by traditional manufacturing.
As Ricoh 3D’s Head of Additive Manufacturing, Mark Dickin explains:
“Customers adopting additive manufacturing at scale demand consistency, reliability, and assured quality. At Ricoh 3D, we combine the agility of additive manufacturing with traditional manufacturing’s established assurances, providing a reliable safety net that businesses need when scaling AM solutions.”
Our engineers also work in tandem with a dedicated Quality Assurance and Compliance team, with annual audits to ensure continued operational excellence.
Managed Print: Take the Next Step
Ricoh 3D is actively seeking partnerships across all industries. Whether you’re a business already equipped with AM hardware but lacking resources or expertise, or exploring additive manufacturing expansion into contract manufacturing, we can seamlessly integrate your requirements into our Managed Print facility.
Discover how Ricoh 3D can help scale your production with precision and confidence.
Contact our expert team today to begin your Managed Print journey…