I work in manufacturing (actually a lot of the products I work with are bespoke). They are going to have to complete on price and with their method of operations they aren't going to win that battle. There is a reason why automated tube socks are still made in China and not America. From a operations POV there is little difference between tube socks and 3d printed goods.

Don't misread me. I am not commenting on the 3d printing technology. That is going to be successful irregardless of this naive attempt.