Protolabs is a company that provides rapid manufacturing of low-volume

3D printed 3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer co ...

, CNC-machined, sheet metal, and

injection-molded Injection moulding (U.S. spelling: injection molding) is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting molten material into a mould, or mold. Injection moulding can be performed with a host of materials mainly including metals (for ...

custom parts for

prototyping A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming. A prototype is generally used to ...

and short-run production. Markets like medical devices, electronics, appliances, automotive and consumer products use these parts. Protolabs' headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Maple Plain, Minnesota. The company also has manufacturing facilities in England, Germany, and Japan.

History

Protomold

In 1999, Larry Lukis founded the Protomold Company, Inc., that specialized in the quick-turn manufacture of custom plastic injection molded parts. Protomold was recognized for its small batch molded parts and rush orders. He previously ran ColorSpan, an original equipment manufacturer that produces printers and desktop publishing systems. He was the chief technology officer of Protomold. Later, in 2001, Brad Cleveland joined Protomold as CEO and president. In 2005, Protomold opened up its first UK plant in

Telford, England Telford () is a town in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Shropshire, England, about east of Shrewsbury, south west of Stafford, north west of Wolverhampton and from Birmingham in t ...

. Two years later, Protomold introduced the Firstcut quick-turn CNC machining service.

Protolabs

In 2009, the company combined its Protomold and Firstcut services under its corporate name, Proto Labs Inc., known colloquially and in official messaging as Protolabs. In 2009, Protolabs opened a location in Japan to serve Japanese design engineers. In the same year, Firstcut, a service from Protolabs, made available CNC-machined prototype parts made of

aluminum Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. It ha ...

, as well as ABS,

nylon Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers composed of polyamides ( repeating units linked by amide links).The polyamides may be aliphatic or semi-aromatic. Nylon is a silk-like thermoplastic, generally made from pe ...

, and

PEEK Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a colourless organic thermoplastic polymer in the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family, used in engineering applications. The polymer was first developed in November 1978, later being introduced to the market by Vic ...

. In February 2012, Protolabs completed its initial public offering of common stock. Proto-Labs-Manufacturing-Plymouth-MN

In 2013, Protolabs reached $150 million in revenue. In 2014, Protolabs acquired the North Carolina-based 3-D printing company, FineLine Prototyping Inc. In fall 2016, Protolabs' 3D printing services moved to a new 77,000 sq. ft. facility in Cary, North Carolina. The company also opened a plant in Plymouth, Minnesota. In February 2014, Vicki Holt was named CEO. She was hired to help Protolabs become a billion dollar manufacturing company. Holt is expanding Protolabs into the medical equipment markets and the lighting industry. In November 2017, Protolabs acquired RAPID Manufacturing in Nashua, New Hampshire for an aggregate purchase price of $120 million to expand into sheet metal fabrication capabilities.

COVID-19 Pandemic

During the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic, Protolabs began producing face shields, plastic clips, and components for coronavirus test kits for use in Minnesota hospitals. The company also collaborated with the University of Minnesota to produce parts for a low-cost ventilator.

2021

In January 2021, Protolabs announced an agreement to acquire Amsterdam-based manufacturing platform

3D Hubs Hubs, formerly 3D Hubs, is an online manufacturing platform that offers businesses on-demand access to a global network of manufacturing partners. The platform offers a range of manufacturing services, including 3D printing, CNC machining, inject ...

for $280 million in cash and stock plus incentives. In March 2021, Holt plans to retire and will be succeeded as CEO by VP and GM of Americas, Robert Bodor, according to a company announcement.

Cool Idea! Program

In 2011, Protolabs launched the Cool Idea! Award program. The program awards a total of up to $250,000 each year in services to

entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship is the creation or extraction of economic value. With this definition, entrepreneurship is viewed as change, generally entailing risk beyond what is normally encountered in starting a business, which may include other values t ...

with innovative product ideas in the United States and Europe.

Awards

* In 2004, the Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal named Protomold to the top of its “Growth 50” list. * In 2010 and 2013, Protolabs was awarded the

Queen's Awards for Enterprise The Queen's Awards for Enterprise is an awards programme for British businesses and other organizations who excel at international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting opportunity (through social mobility). They are the highest ...

. * In June 2012, Larry Lukis and Brad Cleveland won the

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards previously Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards is an award sponsored by Ernst & Young in recognition of entrepreneurship. Founded in 1986 in Milwaukee as a single award, as of 2016 twenty-five pro ...

for their work with Protolabs. * In 2013 and 2014, Protolabs was recognized by ''

Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also r ...

'' in the top 5 of America's Best Small Companies. * In 2015, Protolabs was recognized as one of the top-ranked rapid prototyping vendors in the United States by their customers. * In 2016, Workplace Dynamics recognized Protolabs as a top-ranked workplace in Minnesota * In 2016, the Minnesota High Tech Association awarded Protolabs (alongside Recombinetics, Sentera, and 12 other companies) with a Tekne award for its work in

advanced manufacturing Advanced manufacturing is the use of innovative technology to improve products or processes, with the relevant technology being described as advanced, innovative or cutting edge. Advanced manufacturing industries increasingly integrate new innov ...

References

External links

Official site
{{Authority control Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange Manufacturing companies established in 1999 Manufacturing companies based in Minnesota 1999 establishments in Minnesota American companies established in 1999 2012 initial public offerings Injection molding 3D printing Numerical control Fused filament fabrication