How Tubs Built a Successful 3D Printed Product Business

With this case study we illustrate how entrepreneurs can build and scale small businesses using our professional 3D printing services. This is especially true for custom, high-value and low- to medium-volume niche product categories. A great deal of the power of industrial 3D printing lies in producing small, precise and functional custom parts that do not justify the expense of tools for injection moulding or large minimum order quantities. As this case study will show, early-stage founders of a 3D printed product business do not need to invest large amounts of capital in in-house 3D printers when they take the more flexible option of establishing and building a trusted relationship with a reliable 3D printing service provider that can manufacture and distribute custom 3D printed parts on demand to their customers’ customers.  

Who is Tubs Jackson?

Based in the UK, Tubs Jackson is focused on creating high quality accessories for motorcyclists. It is a brand that is growing due to its dedication to enhancing motorcycling experiences by solving genuine problems that big brands overlook. More specifically, Tubs Jackson specialises in rider-focused helmet accessories that include premium mounts for communication devices, cameras and other tech. Every 3D printed product is engineered for a precise, safe and secure fit together with durability and a discreet design. 

Cosmo Meynell, Founder and CEO of Tubs Jackson, elaborates: “Everything we do is aimed at making riders’ lives better and constantly improving the riding experience. Our strength is our niche. We’re embedded in a passionate, tight-knit community of riders who want products that fit their needs, not just another accessory. A lot of our ideas and subsequent products come directly from our customers, and that close feedback loop means we can offer solutions that are very specific but widespread. An example of this would be our custom mounts for a rarely-supported helmet model or combination.” 

All of Tubs Jackson’s parts are designed in-house, with specific features that set their products apart and are designed to appeal to riders. This includes, vitally, a precise fit tailored to specific helmet models; a no-tool installation policy, whereby every part is designed to fit without having to modify the helmet or intercom; high quality materials; a modular approach, meaning that all mounts are detachable and can be switched between helmets when customers upgrade; and discreet aesthetics, which keeps everything low-profile and as close to an OEM fit as possible.

This approach has contributed to Tubs Jackson’s success and continued growth that has been enabled by utilising additive manufacturing (AM) on demand. The ability to produce low-volume, high-quality parts for a range of helmet models and launch new products quickly in response to market demand without the high cost of tooling for injection moulding or large physical inventories cannot be positively overstated. 

According to Meynell, AM gives Tubs total flexibility, allowing for faster iterations of designs, the ability to offer products for niche helmets or devices with small market sizes and being able to provide updated parts quickly when new tech comes out. Every 3D printed product is designed for the technology from the ground up.

Seamless Production, Trusted Partnership 

Tubs Jackson turned to 3D People as its manufacturing partner, leveraging MultiJet Fusion (MJF) technology for all of its production, which, according to Meynell, is “brilliant for its strength, precise dimensions and overall feel. All crucial for a 3D printed product that needs to withstand vibration, weather and extreme environments.” 3D People have garnered a strong reputation with the MJF process and provide a fast and reliable service for Tubs. 

In real terms, 3D People delivers a contract manufacturing service to deliver high-quality production batches on-demand. This is enabled by Tubs utilising 3D People’s digital inventory service, PartsVault, which facilitates real time updates and secures the final files, meaning that 3D People can respond quickly to any updated improvements and mass customisation requirements from Tubs. In addition, 3D People is ISO 9001 accredited, which ensures that all of Tubs quality standards are adhered to. An important clause of the partnership involves a First Article Inspection (FAI) process that ensures the parts conform to the manufacturing specifications. Once validated, 3D People then sends the products directly to the distributor, greatly shortening delivery times for Tubs’ customers.

How Tubs automates their process with 3D People

Talking about working in partnership with 3D People, Meynell credits the accuracy and consistency of the parts together with digital inventory and competitive pricing  as being fundamental in building trust and being able to scale the business. He elaborates: “The parts that 3D People deliver are always top-notch! The finish is consistent, parts are packed securely, and they can be distributed directly from them! This keeps QC high and lets us turn around customer orders quickly, knowing we can trust the quality out of the bag.”

Tubs Jackson sells 3D printed stock

Low stock triggers a manufacturing order

3D prints are shipped to distributor

Distributor sends to customer on order

Meynell went further: “Digital inventory and batch production is ideal for Tubs, we typically order in runs of 30–200 units. We can react fast if a new helmet or device hits the market and using PartsVault allows us to keep our designs updated and ensure the correct parts go into production. Working with 3D People we are able to launch a new mount in weeks, not months because they are reliable, supply high quality parts and I trust them. Being able to trust a supplier is everything. An added bonus is that we have been able to automate our process, from ordering from 3D People through to distribution to our customers. Everything can be controlled remotely, even if it’s from a beach!”

A Model for Growth Driven by Industrial 3D Printing

The success of the Tubs Jackson 3D printing business illustrates the power of automated manufacturing, when it is paired with a responsive, high-quality service like 3D People. For a customer-driven brand like Tubs Jackson, 3D printing is not only the production method, but also a business enabler that allows the company to respond to its market and to scale accordingly.

Before you go…

Take a moment to see the Tubs Jackson 3D printed product in action with this comprehensive review.

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