US Postal Service OIG Exploring 3D Printing

Categories: News, Studies

August 12, 2014 - Sam Cutting, Brad Wagner, and Mark Meitzen

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its white paper on the advancing technology of 3D printing. The USPS OIG contracted with Christensen Associates to assist on this study. Our analysis of commercial package volume data showed that 3D printing could lead to an increase in annual revenue of as much as $485 million due to new package shipments.

The ubiquitous first- and last-mile postal network would be a strong asset for connecting emerging 3D-printing businesses with their customers. Additionally, excess space in postal facilities offers tantalizing partnership opportunities for businesses committed to fast, streamlined delivery of 3D-printed goods.

The USPS OIG’s 3D-printing white paper, If It Prints, It Ships: 3D Printing and the Postal Service, is available to the public on its website, www.uspsoig.gov.

The USPS OIG pursues its mission of helping to maintain confidence in the postal system and improving the Postal Service’s bottom line through independent audits and investigations.

Christensen Associates, a full-service, applied economics consulting firm, provides creative solutions to complex business problems arising in both regulated and unregulated markets.