3D Printing has revolutionized the way products are developed and built. 3D printers are emerging as a key manufacturing technology and offer huge growth opportunities in the Indian landscape. 3D printing technology helps industries streamline design processes and lower product development costs. Today, manufacturers across a broad spectrum of industries, including automotive, aerospace, defence, and medical products are all actively piloting the use of 3D printing technologies. Prototyping continues to be the dominant reason why enterprises adopt 3D printing, providing the opportunity to speed up new product development and time-to-market.

Marcopolo, established in 1999 is one of the largest 3d printing service providers in India offering a full suite of plastic 3d printing services. The firm was founded by Aditya Kumar, specializing in plastics technology and possessing a master's degree from the US. Prior to the establishment of Marcopolo, Aditya worked for a 3d printing service bureau in Singapore for two years. Back then 3d printing services in India were still at a nascent stage with no private entities. Aditya had the notion of starting 3d printing services

in India, with the vision to provide the services which were deficient to the Indian OEM. After which Marco Polo came into being as one of the first private service providers for 3d printing services in India.

Drawing a clear demarcation, the firm applies 3d printing for automotive, appliances, and the medical industry. Out of which 70% of its business has been for automotive companies like Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hero Motorsto name a few. Marcopolo is equipped with all the latest technology required to develop high-precision plastic 3d printing components with a quick turnaround time to meet all the industrial needs. According to Aditya, apart from having the right technology, it is crucial to have a good team of professionals who are trained to deal with the customers' specifications and accordingly use the right technology. Also, it is equally important to have a highly skilled quality assurance team that has the ability to examine the prototypes with the customer input data to make sure that it is delivering as per the required specifications.

The diversity of the team is its strength with backgrounds in Pattern Making, Design Engineering, Industrial Design, Prototyping, and Traditional Model Making ensuring the utilization of the most appropriate process for the requirement. The firm is an ISO-certified company and follows all standardized quality procedures as demanded at the highest level and ensures the supply of components to the customers with extremely high attention to detail. Apart from the initial prototypes, the firm has the capability of developing & supplying end-use production parts, offering a complete product development solution & other techniques such as vacuum casting, soft tooling, and low volume production using injection molding.

Pre-eminently, Marcopolo was recognized as one of the best innovators and received the Plasticon Award in 2010 which is one of the most prestigious accolades given by the PlastIndia Foundation. As the firm forges ahead to pursue new heights, it aspires to be the preferred firm for customers in the realm of 3d printing. It is also keenly looking forward to expanding its export markets and venture into metal 3d printing services. "As we have been in this industry from the beginning it has been an unfolding journey to witness the evolution of 3d printing and to see it flourish in the Indian market, gives us utter pleasure," concludes Aditya Kumar.