Business Models for 3D-knitting

Exploration of business models for 3D-knitting technology in Norway  

As part of the project “Innovating Norwegian Wool”, NF&TA wanted to explore potential business models for utilizing 3D knitting-technology in Norway.

The aim was to enhance the understanding of which business models that could create value, and how organization, structure, and capital requirements play a role in ensuring successful implementation.

The content created in the process was made available for the entire NF&TA partnership in a webinar on October 15th 2024.

Date: August 2024 – October 2024

Client:
Norwegian Fashion & Textile Agenda (NF&TA)/ Prroject “Innovating Norwegian Wool”, Gisle Mariani Mardal, Head of Development at NF&TA

Industry:
Textile and manufacturing.

Project group:

• Camilla Block Hellum, Business design

• Susanne Krabberød, Design specialist in 3D knitting, Manufacture Oslo

My role and contrubution:
My role was as to contribute with knowledge in business model design, and with my experience from complex digital development projects.

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“We see changes happening in the global industry, and 3D knitting can potentially contribute to a re-industrialization in Norway. Through this task, we want to encourage the industry to think about their business models in new ways.”

— NF&TA

Process
The process consisted of two phases:

Phase 1: RECOGNIZE

The team held initial discussions with key industry players such as:

• Woodling

• 3DKT (3D Knit & Technology)

• Rauma Ullvarefabrikk

• Sandnes Garn

• Janus Ullvarefabrikk

• Tailored Industry (Brooklyn, NY)

Phase 2: RETHINK

In this phase, various business models were explored, including lessons from Tailored Industry's on-demand model. The focus was on optimizing the value chain and examining the gap between current and desired business operations.

Throughout the process, the goal was to assess the organizational structure, capital needs, and operational efficiencies required for 3D knitting to succeed in the Norwegian market. The insights gained from the various interviews were shared in a webinar on October 15, 2024.

This project was an initial pre-study. Further work will potentially be done, then through the next steps/ phases:
Phase 3 – Reinvent/ design the outcome
Phase 4 – Reorganize/ pilot/realization