Interview with Dave Evans, the CEO and Co-Founder of Fictiv - Exclusive Q&A Session
In the fast-paced world of today, where innovation is the key to survival, traditional manufacturing processes have long been a bottleneck. This was the problem that Fictiv, a global manufacturing and supply chain company, set out to solve when it was founded in 2013.
Dave Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of Fictiv, brings a background in hardware engineering and early experience at Ford's Silicon Valley Innovation Lab to the table. His vision was to disrupt the manufacturing industry, which has historically suffered from complex supply chains, long lead times, lack of transparency, and difficulty in scaling rapid prototyping to production.
Over the past decade, the manufacturing problem that Fictiv addresses has evolved as the industry moved towards digitalization, on-demand manufacturing, and integrating advanced technologies such as AI and supply chain platforms.
Fictiv's digital manufacturing platform connects every stage of production into a single, transparent data layer, providing engineers and supply chain teams with instant visibility into part status, quality metrics, and logistics. This platform approach leverages CNC machining, additive manufacturing, injection molding, and other processes accessible through an easy online interface.
One of the standout features of Fictiv's platform is the AI-powered instant quoting system. By analysing CAD files within seconds, the system factors in part geometry, materials, and historical data to deliver accurate cost and lead-time estimates. AI also drives automated Design for Manufacturability (DfM) feedback, flagging potential issues and suggesting improvements in real time.
As the manufacturing landscape has shifted, so too has Fictiv's offerings. The company now supports six different types of industrial 3D printing, with next-day delivery in some cases. Fictiv partners with universities and STEM organizations to support hands-on learning, such as working with Formula SAE student teams to provide precision parts for an electric race car and mentoring them on design-for-manufacturability and rapid prototyping.
The services offered by Fictiv are particularly beneficial to industries where rapid iteration and precision are critical, such as aerospace, EVs, medical devices, robotics, and consumer electronics. The U.S. is experiencing its largest surge in factory investment in decades, but talent is now the most pressing bottleneck due to a widening skills gap in manufacturing.
To address this issue, the private sector needs to invest in apprenticeships and upskilling, partner with schools and universities, and leverage technology to close the skills gap. Fictiv is addressing the cultural disconnect by providing real-world exposure to modern, tech-driven manufacturing environments through hands-on experience, mentorship, and digital tools.
Looking ahead, digital manufacturing platforms will integrate advanced AI models that continuously learn from data across materials, machines, and processes over the next five years. Materials.AI, a ChatGPT-powered assistant designed to act as a materials expert for engineers, is a testament to this future.
As Gen Z's relationship with manufacturing is fundamentally different from previous generations due to a perception of manufacturing as outdated or less desirable compared to tech-driven industries, platforms like Fictiv's could play a crucial role in bridging this gap and shaping the future of manufacturing.
References: [1] Parallels in transportation industry AI adoption [4] Emphasis on sustainability, reshoring, and nearshoring [5] Digital platforms will integrate advanced AI models and offer more advanced supply chain management and scalable manufacturing across regions such as Mexico, India, and China.
- In the rapidly evolving manufacturing industry, Fictiv's digital platform aims to streamline and modernize traditional processes, addressing complex supply chains, long lead times, lack of transparency, and scaling challenges in rapid prototyping.
- Dave Evans, the CEO and Co-Founder of Fictiv, leverages his engineering background and experience at Ford's Silicon Valley Innovation Lab to disrupt the manufacturing industry and smoothen the supply chain.
- As the manufacturing industry transitions towards digitalization, on-demand manufacturing, and integration of advanced technologies like AI and supply chain platforms, Fictiv's platform has adapted, offering services like AI-powered instant quoting, Design for Manufacturability feedback, and various industrial 3D printing options.
- To help bridge the growing skills gap in manufacturing, Fictiv partners with universities and STEM organizations, providing hands-on learning opportunities to future engineers and mentoring on design-for-manufacturability and rapid prototyping.
- With the increasing investment in manufacturing, talent acquisition and skills training are becoming crucial factors, especially for industries that require rapid iteration and precision, such as aerospace, EVs, medical devices, robotics, and consumer electronics.
- To address this talent issue, the private sector can invest in apprenticeships and upskilling, partner with schools and universities, and use technology to close the skills gap, while platforms like Fictiv's play a role in showcasing modern, tech-driven manufacturing environments to Gen Z and potentially shaping their perception of the industry.
