Expensive, slow and unreliable supply chains significantly hold back local businesses in the Solomon Islands.

The Frontier Tech Hub explored the use of distributed manufacturing technologies to localise supply chains and strengthen local production capacities with manufacturing sector partners.

The project explored multiple digital manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC milling, through expert led research.

Our analysis pointed to three key factors; market, firm, and tech. The distributed manufacturing tech that was strongest for all three was CNC milling and our partner Tropic Group Builders.

The challenge for small-scale manufacturers using these technologies is in developing sustainable business and investment models. This pilot builds upon previous learnings from other Frontier Technology Pilot’s, such as Kijenzi in Kenya and our Distributed Manufacturing Deep Dive.

Find out more on their pilot profile: https://www.frontiertechhub.org/pilot-portfolio/3dprinting-solomonislands