Could 3D Printing Save the US Postal Service?

It’s no real secret that the US postal service (USPS) has been struggling for years. In 2013 alone, the USPS lost approximately $5 billion, even after numerous attempts to stem fiscal bleeding, including an overall reduction in employee work hours and restructuring efforts toward retirement and health insurance plans. The reasons for the USPS’ struggles are varied, but the end result is the same, and the postal service that has existed in some form or another since 1775 has begun to look for new sources of revenue.

Somewhat ironically, given its home on the internet, one source of new capital comes from Amazon. The online sales giant penned a deal for an unspecified amount with the USPS to deliver packages on Sundays. Now, the USPS is investigating other ways to generate revenue, and its attention has landed on 3D printing.

According to the USPS, 3D printing offers fresh opportunities for the delivery of lightweight packages, which is an area the postal service is supremely suited to service. As adoption of AM increases, and more consumers become interested in buying 3D printed objects from service bureaus, the USPS could see a substantial increase in business. From the USPS report (.pdf) on 3D printing:

The Postal Service could benefit tremendously by the rise of 3D printing. This is primarily due to two factors: the Postal Service’s ubiquitous first — and last — mile delivery network and its strength in handling lightweight goods. The Office of Inspector General asked Christensen Associates — a renowned economic consulting firm with extensive knowledge of Postal Service operations — to assess how 3D printing could affect the Postal Service. By analyzing commercial package data, Christensen Associates estimated that 3D printing could raise the Postal Service’s annual package revenue by $485 million as businesses ship increasing numbers of 3D printed goods to consumers.

Obviously $485 million is a drop in the bucket compared to current losses, but the USPS is looking for additional ways to tap 3D printing. Along with deliveries, the postal service is investigating the possibility of offering a “secure online market” to protect copyrighted or sensitive digital documents. That sounds distinctly like the USPS is considering opening up a highly secured cloud storage service. If so, that particular development might become attractive to a number of entities above and beyond the 3D printing market.

The report also offered the suggestion that on-site 3D printers could be used to produce replacement parts for the postal service, potentially offering savings for easily produced items. Other suggestions include the possibility of renting out space on USPS grounds (or nearby) to further improve delivery times for service bureaus. Even if only a few of the USPS’ initiatives prove successful, it may just be that 3D printing actually does help save the post office.

Below you’ll find an interesting video about the USPS.

Sources: USPS, Office of the Inspector General USP