Maximizing Your 3D Printing Business: Top 7 KPIs You Need to Track

Welcome to the world of 3D printing KPIs! If you are a business owner who wants to maximize the potential of 3D printing, then you must know the key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and calculate. In this article, we will be discussing the top 7 KPIs that can help you measure the success of your 3D printing business.

Customer satisfaction percentage: how satisfied are your customers with your 3D printed products or services? It's important to keep your customers happy to retain them and attract new customers.

  • Average order value:
  • Repeat customer rate:
  • Manufacturing lead time in days:

These are some of the important KPIs that can provide insights into how your 3D printing business is performing. By tracking and analyzing these KPIs, you can make data-driven decisions and take actions to improve your business.

Did you know that the 3D printing industry was valued at $13.7 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $63.46 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 29.4%? It's a rapidly growing industry with immense potential for innovation and growth. By tracking the right KPIs, you can stay ahead of the competition and drive success for your business.



Customer Satisfaction Percentage

In today's competitive world, meeting customer expectations is crucial. One of the key performance indicators (KPIs) to track customer satisfaction is the Customer Satisfaction Percentage. Understanding this metric gives business owners valuable insight into what their customers are thinking and how they can improve their services or products.

Definition

Customer Satisfaction Percentage is a KPI that measures how satisfied customers are with the products or services offered by a business. The percentage represents the number of satisfied customers divided by the total number of customers, multiplied by 100. A higher percentage indicates a better level of customer satisfaction.

Use Case

Customer Satisfaction Percentage is a useful metric for business owners looking to improve their customer service and experience. By tracking this KPI, businesses can identify areas where they need to make improvements and create strategies to increase customer satisfaction.

How To Calculate KPI

To calculate the Customer Satisfaction Percentage, first identify the number of satisfied customers and the total number of customers during a specific period. Divide the number of satisfied customers by the total number of customers, then multiply the result by 100 to get the percentage. The formula for calculating Customer Satisfaction Percentage is:

(Number of Satisfied Customers / Total Number of Customers) x 100 = Customer Satisfaction Percentage

Calculation Example

Suppose a business has 500 customers in a quarter, and 400 of them are satisfied with the services offered. To calculate the Customer Satisfaction Percentage for that quarter, use the formula:

(400 / 500) x 100 = 80%

Therefore, the Customer Satisfaction Percentage for that quarter is 80%.

KPI Advantages

  • Helps to identify customer needs and expectations.
  • Provides insight to improve customer service or product quality.
  • Increases customer loyalty and retention.
  • Increases customer advocacy and positive word-of-mouth marketing.

KPI Disadvantages

  • May not always provide an accurate representation because not all customers respond to surveys or provide feedback.
  • Could be influenced by factors beyond a business's control.
  • May not be applicable to all types of businesses.
  • Difficult to compare across industries or between businesses due to variations in survey methodology and data collection.

KPI Industry Benchmarks

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), the average customer satisfaction score for all industries in the United States is 74.2%. However, different industries have different benchmarks. For example, the average score for the retail industry is 75.4%, while the average score for the healthcare industry is 72.8%. It's important to benchmark your business against your industry's average score to understand how your business is performing against competitors.

Tips & Tricks

  • Ensure surveys are conducted regularly and consistently to obtain reliable data.
  • Provide an opportunity for customers to offer feedback and suggestions for improvement.
  • Use positive feedback to reinforce good customer service practices and motivate employees. Use negative feedback to address areas that need improvement.


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Average Order Value

Definition

Average order value (AOV) represents the average monetary value of each order placed by a customer over a defined period of time.

Use Case

AOV is an important metric to evaluate a business's pricing strategy, customer purchasing behavior, and sales performance. It provides insights into how much customers are willing to spend on your products or services, and how well you are able to upsell or cross-sell them.

How To Calculate KPI

To calculate AOV, simply divide the total revenue by the total number of orders for a given period. The formula is:

AOV = Revenue ÷ Number of Orders

Calculation Example

Suppose your company generated $50,000 in revenue from 500 orders in a month. Then, AOV would be:

AOV = $50,000 ÷ 500 = $100

KPI Advantages

  • Helps to identify pricing opportunities and promotional strategies.
  • Allows businesses to set revenue targets, sales quotas, and evaluate performance.
  • Can help to boost profits by maximizing customer lifetime value.

KPI Disadvantages

  • May not be indicative of overall business performance since it only measures individual transactions.
  • AOV can be skewed by outliers or discounts and promotions.
  • Does not take into account additional costs such as shipping or taxes.

KPI Industry Benchmarks

AOV varies depending on the industry, product category, and business model. In general, e-commerce businesses have higher AOVs compared to retail stores. According to one report, the average AOV for online retailers in 2020 was $133.

Tips for Improving AOV

  • Offer free shipping above a certain order threshold to incentivize customers to spend more.
  • Create product bundles or packages to encourage customers to buy multiple items at once.
  • Upsell or cross-sell related products during the checkout process.


Repeat customer rate

Definition

Repeat customer rate is the percentage of customers who have made multiple purchases from the same company over a certain period of time.

Use Case

Repeat customer rate is a crucial KPI that indicates customer satisfaction and loyalty towards a brand. It demonstrates the effectiveness of customer retention strategies and helps businesses in identifying the areas that require improvement.

How To Calculate KPI

To calculate the repeat customer rate, divide the number of customers who have made more than one purchase by the total number of unique customers and multiply the result by 100.

Repeat Customer Rate = (Number of Customers who made more than one purchase / Total Number of Unique Customers) x 100

Calculation Example

Suppose, XYZ Corporation has 500 unique customers, out of which 150 have made more than one purchase in a specified period. Therefore, the repeat customer rate of XYZ Corporation would be:

Repeat Customer Rate = (150/500) x 100 = 30%.

KPI Advantages

  • Repeat customer rate is the most reliable indicator of customer loyalty, as it shows the percentage of customers who have returned to purchase again from the same company.
  • The KPI helps businesses in identifying profitable customers, making them an essential part of the sales and marketing strategies.
  • Repeat customer rate is easy to calculate, providing companies with a better understanding of their customer base without investing extra resources.

KPI Disadvantages

  • It is challenging to determine the optimal number of repeat customers that a business requires to stay profitable and grow.
  • The KPI does not consider the frequency and value of purchases made by customers, which can provide a more comprehensive picture of customer behavior.
  • Repeat customer rate alone cannot provide insights into customer satisfaction or the reasons behind customer retention.

KPI Industry Benchmarks

Industry benchmarks for repeat customer rate can vary depending on the sector, business size, customer demographics, and other factors that influence sales and marketing strategies. However, an average repeat customer rate for most eCommerce businesses ranges between 20 to 40 percent.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Encourage repeat purchases by offering loyalty discounts or personalized promotions to existing customers. It increases the chances of customer retention, leading to an increase in the repeat customer rate.
  • Improve overall customer experience by providing quality products and exceptional customer service, leading to higher customer satisfaction and ultimately driving up the repeat customer rate.
  • Monitor customer feedback and complaints to identify and avoid the factors that lead to customer churn and adversely affect the repeat customer rate.


Manufacturing Lead Time in Days

Definition: Manufacturing lead time (MLT) is the amount of time it takes for a product to be produced from raw materials to a finished good, ready for delivery.

Use Case: Tracking MLT is crucial for both manufacturers and their customers. A shorter MLT can lead to higher customer satisfaction, increased profitability for manufacturers and a competitive edge in the industry.

How To Calculate KPI: The formula for calculating MLT is:

MLT = Process Time + Wait Time + Move Time + Inspection Time

Where:

  • Process Time: The total amount of time spent on value-added tasks, such as assembling parts or packaging products.
  • Wait Time: The time spent waiting for the previous process to complete.
  • Move Time: The time spent moving materials or products from one process to another.
  • Inspection Time: The time spent ensuring quality standards are met.

Calculation Example: Let's say a product requires 5 hours of process time, 1 hour of wait time, 30 minutes of move time and 30 minutes of inspection time. The MLT would be:

MLT = 5 hours + 1 hour + 30 minutes + 30 minutes = 6 hours

KPI Advantages:

  • Allows for better planning and scheduling of production
  • Identifies areas for improvement in the manufacturing process
  • Helps companies achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction by reducing wait time for product delivery

KPI Disadvantages:

  • Does not take into account unforeseen events such as machine breakdowns or supply chain disruptions
  • May lead to increased pressure on workers to meet production targets at the expense of quality standards
  • Not applicable for all types of manufacturing processes

KPI Industry Benchmarks: There are several factors that can impact MLT, such as product complexity, volume and the type of manufacturing process. However, the industry benchmark for MLT in most manufacturing processes is around 4-6 weeks.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Continuously monitor and track the MLT to identify bottlenecks and improve the production process
  • Use technology like automation and digitalization to streamline the manufacturing process and reduce MLT
  • Establish good relationships with suppliers and partners to ensure a smooth supply chain and reduce MLT


Percentage of Products That Require Reprinting

One of the key metrics in 3D printing is the percentage of products that require reprinting. This metric provides valuable insight into the efficiency of your printing process and the quality of the products being produced. By tracking this metric, you can identify areas for improvement and work to optimize your 3D printing operations.

Definition

The percentage of products that require reprinting is the number of products that need to be reprinted divided by the total number of products printed. This metric tracks the number of times products need to be reprinted due to defects, errors, or other issues.

Use Case

The percentage of products that require reprinting is crucial for identifying areas of improvement in your 3D printing process. By tracking this metric, you can identify patterns or trends in the types of defects or errors that are leading to reprints. This information can help you to adjust your printing process or improve the quality of your designs to reduce reprinting needs.

How to Calculate KPI

To calculate the percentage of products that require reprinting, use the following formula:

(Number of Products Reprinted / Total Number of Products Printed) x 100

Calculation Example

Suppose you printed 100 products, and five of them needed to be reprinted due to defects. The percentage of products that require reprinting would be:

(5 / 100) x 100 = 5%

KPI Advantages

  • Identifies areas for improvement in your 3D printing process
  • Helps to optimize printing operations and reduce waste
  • Provides valuable data to improve the quality of your designs

KPI Disadvantages

  • May not always provide a complete picture of overall print quality
  • Does not account for the cost of reprinting or the impact on production schedules
  • May not be as relevant for small-scale or hobbyist 3D printing operations

KPI Industry Benchmarks

The percentage of products that require reprinting can vary widely depending on the industry, materials used, and the complexity of the products being printed. However, generally, a rate of less than 5% is considered efficient, while rates higher than 10% may indicate significant issues in the printing or design process.

Tips & Tricks

  • Regularly review your 3D printing processes to identify opportunities for improvement and quality control.
  • Consider investing in higher-quality printing materials to reduce the need for reprinting.
  • Work closely with designers and engineers to optimize product designs to reduce the risk of defects or errors.


Number of industrial clients served

As a pro serial entrepreneur, tracking the number of industrial clients served is crucial to the success of any 3D printing business. This KPI metric provides a clear picture of the company's growth trajectory by analyzing its customer base.

Definition

  • The number of industrial clients served refers to the total number of businesses that have made a purchase from the company.

Use Case

  • This KPI metric is commonly used to determine the company's market share in a particular region or industry.
  • This metric helps identify customer demand and adjust marketing efforts accordingly.

How To Calculate KPI

Formula:

(Total number of industrial clients served)

Calculation Example

Suppose a 3D printing business served 20 industrial clients in the first quarter of the year and 30 in the second quarter. The total number of industrial clients served would be:

(20 + 30) = 50

Therefore, the company served 50 industrial clients in the first half of the year.

KPI Advantages

  • Helps identify the company's customer base and track customer demand.
  • Provides insight into the market share of the company within a particular industry or region.

KPI Disadvantages

  • Does not provide a clear picture of customer satisfaction or loyalty.
  • May not be a reliable indicator of the company's financial performance.

KPI Industry Benchmarks

  • On average, 3D printing businesses serving the aerospace industry have 15-20 industrial clients.
  • Companies in the automotive industry typically have higher numbers of industrial clients, around 25-30.

Tips & Tricks

  • Offer incentives for clients to refer others to your business.
  • Use customer feedback to improve service and attract new clients.
  • Track the number of repeat customers, which can help gauge loyalty and satisfaction.


Revenue from Workshops and Training Services

As a pro serial entrepreneur who has started and run many businesses, I can tell you that creating revenue streams from workshops and training services is a smart way to expand your 3D printing business. However, simply offering these services is not enough - you must track and measure performance metric KPIs to ensure they are successful. In this chapter, we will explore the top seven KPI metrics for tracking and calculating your 3D printing workshop and training revenue.

Definition

Revenue from workshops and training services KPI is a metric that measures the income generated from workshops and training services. This KPI helps you determine the effectiveness of your services and how well they are monetized.

Use Case

The 'Revenue from workshops and training services' KPI is essential for businesses that offer workshops and training services in 3D printing. This KPI allows businesses to assess whether their services are meeting their financial goals or if changes need to be made to improve profitability.

How to Calculate KPI

To calculate the KPI for revenue from workshops and training services, use the formula:

Revenue from workshops and training services = Total revenue from workshops and training services / Total number of workshops and training services held in the period

Calculation Example

Let's say that in the last quarter, your business generated $20,000 in revenue from 10 workshops and training services. Using the above formula, the KPI for revenue from workshops and training services would be:

Revenue from workshops and training services = $20,000 / 10

Revenue from workshops and training services = $2,000 per workshop or training service

KPI Advantages

  • Provides insight into the profitability of workshops and training services
  • Helps businesses to assess whether changes need to be made to improve financial performance

KPI Disadvantages

  • Does not account for the costs associated with holding workshops and training services
  • May be influenced by the number of attendees or students in each workshop or training service

KPI Industry Benchmarks

According to industry benchmarks, the average revenue per attendee for a 3D printing workshop is $500-$1,000 for a one-day workshop, and $1,500-$3,000 for a three-day workshop. The average revenue for a training service is $500-$3,000 per day.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Offer workshops and training services at different price points to attract different customer segments
  • Offer workshops and training services that are tailored to meet customer needs and preferences to increase engagement and attendance
  • Use online platforms to promote and advertise workshops and training services to reach a wider audience


As the 3D printing industry continues to expand, it's essential for business owners to track and understand the key performance indicators (KPIs) that can drive success. By measuring factors such as customer satisfaction percentage, average order value, repeat customer rate, and manufacturing lead time in days, you can gain insights that inform your decision-making process and help you grow your business. In today's rapidly evolving market, staying ahead of the competition is crucial for maintaining your edge and driving innovation. With projections of the 3D printing industry reaching $63.46 billion by 2025, there's ample opportunity for businesses to capitalize on this growing trend. With data-driven insights, you can position your company as a leader in this exciting field. At the end of the day, choosing the right KPIs and tracking them effectively can help you unlock the potential of 3D printing and drive success for your business. Whether you're looking to increase revenue from workshops and training services or retain your valued customers, understanding these critical metrics is the key to unlocking growth and achieving your goals.

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