According to a recent article in BCG Today, a digital publication of the worldwide Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 3D printing is in the early stages of revolutionizing the construction industry.

While the famed management consulting group predicts that 3D printing will become a common or even standard feature in the fabrication process, the timeline and details remain uncertain. For nearly a decade, researchers have been investigating and refining techniques for 3D printing in construction. Several specialist companies have emerged, and several large established companies—not just construction firms but also manufacturers of building materials—have started investing in earnest. There is a strong sense of anticipation. But several issues need to be resolved: how ready the market really is; how ready the industry is to embrace rather than resist the creative-disruptive force that 3D printing represents; how ready the technology itself is; and how companies should best leverage the technology and adapt to it.

At NEMIC, our mission is to identify and develop emerging market and educational opportunities, in order to create or expand employment for SMART members and programs that assist SMACNA contractors in a green environment. Be assured that we are keeping a close eye on developments in 3D printing and how they may create opportunities for our industry. Watch this space for future updates as they become available.