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Two-thirds of healthcare professionals believe 3D-printing has the capacity to transform the health sector
22.05.2018

Two-thirds of healthcare professionals believe 3D-printing has the capacity to transform the health sector

  • Ricoh survey exploring the Future of Print also finds 79% of healthcare professionals are using new printing technologies to improve diagnostics and lower mortality rates
  • 60% of retailers are investing in 3D-printing 
  • 39% of businesses across all sectors have adopted new printing technologies to enable AI and automation.
  • Without investment in new printing technology, 66% of businesses say their organisation will fall behind competitors by 2023
  • Ricoh survey of 3,150 decision makers across Europe, including Ireland

Dublin, 22 May 2018 - Ricoh Ireland is today announcing the results of a new survey of 3,150 decision makers from across Europe, including Ireland, about how emerging printing technologies are helping to reshape industries and open-up new opportunities for businesses across all sectors.
In healthcare, two-thirds (66%) of professionals believe 3D printing has the capacity to fundamentally transform the health sector, and without investment in these technologies, 41% believe they will struggle to meet the needs of patients in the next five years. 79% of healthcare professionals also revealed that they are using new printing technologies to improve accurate diagnostic rates and lower mortality rates.
In the retail sector, 60% said that they are currently investing in 3D printing technologies and 58% are investing in on-demand printing. Retailers claim that they are turning to more innovative ways of printing to drive competitive advantage, highlighting advantages such as reduced delivery times (83%), more delivery options (74%) and the ability to personalise products (72%).
The research also found that 39% of businesses across all sectors have adopted new printing technologies to enable AI and automation.
Gary Hopwood, Managing Director, Ricoh Ireland, commented on the findings: “The refrain ‘print is dead’ is utterly misguided. New printing technologies are helping businesses to transform their operations. In healthcare, pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing 3D printed prosthetic limbs tailored to specific patients. In retail, vendors are manufacturing shoes and printing unique designs on demand, reducing stock wastage. In education, students can buy personalised textbooks, reducing costs and improving learning.”
Findings from the study emphasise the prevalent view that new forms of printing are crucial components in strategies for success. Decision makers highlighted improved agility (77%) and innovation (69%) as key drivers behind investment in printing technologies. Furthermore, 66% of business leaders fear that their organisation will fall behind competitors in the next five years without new disruptive printing technologies.
Hopwood continued: “Irish business leaders must rethink the role of printing within their organisation to unlock new revenue and growth opportunities. With so many exciting new ways to design, print and personalise products, decisions about printing have fundamentally moved from the back office to the boardroom. Evolving print capabilities are providing the foundations for improved strategic agility and major innovation advancements.”
Find out more at www.ricoh-europe.com/thoughtleadership.

About the survey: 
This new study from Ricoh Europe, was conducted in May 2018 by Coleman Parkes and consisted of 3,150 respondents from businesses of all sizes in Europe, including Ireland.

|About Ricoh|

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimize business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh’s global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2023, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,134 billion yen (approx. 16.0 billion USD).

It is Ricoh’s mission and vision to empower individuals to find Fulfillment through Work by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realize a sustainable future. 

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

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