China is winning the tech race---only 3D printing development maintains US competitiveness.

Various countries are beginning to think through what this massive shift in manufacturing means for them. See Figure 8, which compares consumption versus manufacturing. Countries that have high consumption have an opportunity to grow local manufacturing, while companies that have large manufacturing bases with low consumption need to act quickly to maintain the base.

China is driving hard to maintain manufacturing competitiveness. They see 3D printing as both an opportunity and a risk to their manufacturing economy, and are investing heavily including $132 million allocated to 3D printing R&D. It is critical for them to remain competitive to maintain the manufacturing export sector. 1, 51

India is looking to 3D printing as an opportunity to build manufacturing competitiveness and increase the average income per household through the Make in India initiative. They can leverage 3D printing to better serve the large and varied consumer base, and some see it as a leapfrog opportunity for India to become a manufacturing leader.

While there are several ongoing initiatives in the United States, such as America Makes, Department of Defense investment, and university and private industry efforts, the US has yet to publicly define an overall national strategy or imperative for 3D printing. However, the US has an opportunity to increase economic output and revitalize the manufacturing economy. Companies in the US can provide the highconsumption populace with more variety and customization of products.

Germany is targeting 3D printing as a key technology to rebuild the manufacturing competitive advantage.1

Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia see 3D printing as an opportunity to leapfrog into the manufacturing sector and serve consumer bases locally. 1, 26, 79

Many countries have a significant opportunity to revitalize or grow a manufacturing economy and support their local consumer base by acting to build a 3D printing ecosystem that captures the $4 to $6 trillion. Other countries need to accelerate the 3D printing ecosystem to maintain the current manufacturing base. Where the disrupted manufacturing ultimately ends up depends on actions of public and private sector leaders; manufacturing will shift to economies that lead the 3D printing movement.