Global Stole A/S
Global Stole strengthens its security of supply and eliminates dependence on a single supplier
– by digitalising a critical component and enabling additive manufacturing methods
The challenge: Production stoppages threatened the company
Global Stole was in a vulnerable situation. A plastic component in one of its products was manufactured exclusively by a single external supplier in Denmark. Without access to 2D or 3D drawings and without alternative production options, the company was extremely dependent on this one partner.
This meant:
- Risk of a complete production stoppage in the event of supplier failure.
- No option for backup production.
- Inflexible supply chain.
The solution: 3D printing and a digital backup
By 3D scanning and digitalising the component, Global Stole created a digital twin that can be produced by more than 10 different suppliers in Europe and globally – without the use of mould tooling.
With 3D printing technology such as SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) in PA12 glass-fibre-reinforced plastic, the company was able to achieve:
- Backup production capacity, ready to be activated in the event of supplier failure.
- Reduction of lead time from 15 to 10 days in emergency situations.
- Greater supply robustness with suppliers distributed across multiple countries.
Business value: From bottleneck to flexibility
Although the price per 3D-printed unit cannot compete with traditional moulding, the value in terms of risk minimisation and operational reliability is considerable.
The company’s resilience has increased thanks to more available suppliers, geographic distribution, and reduced dependence on single actors.
Results from programmes with Dansk AM Hub
- Backup production capacity, ready to be activated in the event of supplier failure.
- Reduction of lead time from 15 to 10 days in emergency situations.
- Greater supply robustness with suppliers distributed across multiple countries
The climate perspective
Although there is no detailed CO₂e calculation for the case, the following relevant observations from similar cases apply:
- SLS printing generally has higher energy consumption per unit than moulding.
- However, digital production enables localisation, which reduces transport emissions and inventory waste.
- With future material choices such as ASA or PETG, CO₂e emissions can be reduced by up to 54% compared with PA12.
Is your production setup a limitation—or a strength?
And are there new opportunities?
About the company
Global Stole A/S
Hammervej 3-7, Hvorslev, Hammervej 3, 8860 Ulstrup
Number of employees: 27
Global Stole – Danish design. Global Stole is a Danish manufacturer of chairs and stools founded in 1973.
The future: Digital production as an insurance strategy
By integrating 3D printing as a strategic backup solution, Global Stole is now far better prepared for future supply chain disruptions. The solution also enables:
- Digital inventory and on-demand production.
- Opportunities for design optimisation and weight reduction.
- Short, flexible production runs without tooling investment.
3D printing has given Global Stole a lifeline in a vulnerable supply chain – and a tool to future-proof its production.
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