In Part Two of this Solutionology Story, Stephanie Hendrixson, Editor-in-Chief at Additive Manufacturing Media, dives deeper into the paradigm shift of mass customization in manufacturing. She recently reported on the topic directly from the DI Labs facility in Minnesota.

Stephanie talks with Brian and Carl Douglass about how AM is redefining production by enabling uniquely tailored products on demand, enhancing consumer satisfaction, and optimizing production processes. Hear about real-world applications like personalized eyewear and footwear, the role of AI in design and manufacturing, and Stephanie’s vision for the future of mass customization. This episode offers practical insights and explores the significant shift from mass production to individual customization.

Stephanie Hendrixson, Editor-in-Chief at Additive Manufacturing Media, joined Brian and Carl Douglass on Solutionology Stories episode #30 to share some fascinating stories and groundbreaking innovations in additive manufacturing (AM). In fact, the episode was so good that we split it into two parts!

In Part One, Stephanie shares the unexpected path she traveled from English literature to additive manufacturing and what inspired her to become a teacher and storyteller about highly technical topics in manufacturing. She has been recognized among Temboo's 20 Women Influencing Manufacturing and plays a critical role as an educator and advocate shaping the future of additive! She's incredibly enthusiastic about the future of additive manufacturing and says, "If you've held back (from exploring additive) because you're waiting for the right time, the right time is anytime! Just jump right in."

She provides insights into AM’s rapid growth and shares experiences hosting "The Cool Parts Show" and "AM Radio Podcast."

In this follow-up to Part One of our conversation with Bud Runquist, VP of Sales and Marketing at Stratasys Direct, we go beyond the incredible disaster response story of additive manufacturing told in Episode #28. (https://youtu.be/t0GsB9hil3w)

As two leaders deeply embedded in the additive manufacturing space, DI Labs and Stratasys Direct share a mutual commitment to raising the bar for quality, reliability, and scalable production. Together, they explore how distributed networks of trusted partners can provide rapid, resilient responses to supply chain disruptions—something both companies have experienced firsthand.

Bud outlines how additive is moving beyond prototyping into just-in-time, localized production, offering dramatic cost and logistical advantages. Carl and Brian reflect on their own challenges and successes in building confidence among clients and suppliers, reinforcing that standardization, validation, and collaboration are critical for additive to reach its full potential.

The discussion ends with a powerful focus on medical applications, a space where both Stratasys Direct and DI Labs see immense potential to improve lives. With passion, technical insight, and shared optimism, this episode offers a compelling look at how distributed manufacturing is not only possible—it’s already happening.

00:00 – Intro: Why Distributed Manufacturing Matters
01:00 – Why Distributed Manufacturing Is Gaining Ground
05:40 – From Shelf Space to Digital Warehouses
07:17 – Where Are We in the Additive Adoption Curve?
09:19 – The Culture of Collaboration
10:16 – Medical Applications: Additive’s Next Big Opportunity
11:35 – A Call to Innovate and Push Boundaries
12:27 – Wrap-Up and Appreciation

Watch PART ONE of this Solutionology Stories conversation: https://youtu.be/t0GsB9hil3w
Follow our Solutionology Stories Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMo39wYkklXud2wHcfBRLQ2_cMjl0B3hQ&si=YtWMfJpMhUFmhUfT
More about DI Labs: https://dilabs.cc/
More about Stratasys Direct: https://www.stratasys.com/en/stratasysdirect/