In this episode of Manufacturing Momentum, we sit down with Samantha Snabes, co-founder of re:3D, to explore how her company is transforming large-scale, open-source 3D printing with affordability, accessibility, and social impact at its core.
Samantha shares how re:3D, a Kickstarter-funded social enterprise, has grown into a global leader in industrial 3D printing, serving clients like NASA, Nokia, and Remington. We dive into the company’s Gigaprise program, which donates one printer for every hundred sold, and their bold goal to create 500 jobs within five years.
She also discusses how nearshoring is reshaping manufacturing, why they’re hiring aggressively, and her plans to engage policymakers on advanced manufacturing and workforce development.
Episode Highlights:
re:3D’s Mission and Growth (03:27 – 10:07)
- Founded in 2013 as a social enterprise, committed to open-source technology
- Affordable, large-scale 3D printing to empower communities and industries
- Funded via Kickstarter, with no external investors
- Now in over 50 countries, serving clients like NASA, Nokia, and Remington
Scaling Through Word-of-Mouth (10:07 – 19:59)
- Relies on organic marketing and earned media instead of paid ads
- Manufactures in-house to stay agile in a shifting supply chain landscape
- Gigaprise program: One printer donated for every 100 sold
- Scaling up production, reducing lead times, and expanding facilities
Future Vision & Workforce Expansion (19:59 – 25:23)
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- 500 new jobs planned in the next five years
- Hiring a senior machinist to lead an apprenticeship program
- Advocating for advanced manufacturing and workforce development with policymakers
Key Takeaways & Timestamps:
✅ Open-Source Model & Social Enterprise Impact (06:08 – 06:44)
✅ Growth Driven by Word-of-Mouth & Earned Media (08:39 – 08:45)
✅ Gigaprise Program: Making 3D Printing More Accessible (10:24 – 10:29)
✅ Manufacturing Strategy & Nearshoring Advantages (11:23 – 11:34)
✅ Long-Term Vision: 500 Jobs & Sustainability Goals (18:56 – 19:27)
