Management Organisation and Implementation of Rapid Manufacturing (ManRM) is based within the Wolfson School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Loughborough University. It is primarily concerned with the implications that emerging Rapid Manufacturing (RM) methods could have on vehicle manufacturing and business communities based in the UK.

Rapid Manufacturing is based on the concept of additive rather than subtractive manufacture and is emerging from the Rapid Prototyping (RP) principles where prototype products are "printed" directly from a three dimensional computer aided design model (3D CAD) rather than moulded or machined, as is evidenced in more conventional manufacturing. In the near future, additive RM techniques will be used for the production of functional end-use parts.

RM has some significant advantages of traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, which are principally derived from the lack of (usually expensive) tooling. For example, virtually any complexity of geometry can be produced and low volume products become economically viable. It is for these reasons that RM will be the breakthrough technology for the burgeoning customisation and personalisation concepts that are emerging for today's consumer products. These issues of personalisation and customisation will affect areas such as branding, supply chain management and logistics of goods.

In order for UK companies to benefit fully from this promising technology, the ManRM project is working alongside major vehicular OEMs and SMEs in order to inform and increase awareness in RM and to develop their ideas as to where RM best benefits their companies. In particular the ManRM project is working with Engineering Forum to involve local (East Midlands) SMEs in the project; after just nine months of operation of the ManRM, the RM concept has been shown to 36 individuals from SMEs in the local area. SMEs have included industries such as precision engineering, tooling manufacturers and designers, casting companies and hydraulic engineering companies that serve a number of sectors in particular the railway industry, aerospace and automotive industries.