Who We Are
Our company was founded in 1999 by Larry Lukis, a successful entrepreneur and computer geek who wanted to radically reduce the time it took to get injection-moulded plastic prototype parts. His solution was to automate the traditional manufacturing process by developing complex software that communicated with a network of mills and presses. As a result, plastic and metal parts could be produced in a fraction of the time it had ever taken before.
Over the next decade, we would continue to expand our injection moulding envelope, introduce quick-turn CNC machining and open global facilities in Europe and Japan. In 2014, we launched industrial-grade 3D printing services to allow product developers, designers and engineers an easier path to move from early prototyping to low-volume production.
In 2014, we launched industrial-grade 3D printing services to allow product developers, designers, and engineers an easier path to move from early prototyping to low-volume production.
And in early 2021 Global online manufacturing platform, Hubs, also joined the Protolabs family.
Our growth and expansion of capabilities over the past two decades has always been about providing you, our customer, with the best possible digital manufacturing experience in the industry. That continued evolution will never stop, and it's what helps shape our vision and mission as a company.
VISION
Accelerating innovation by revolutionising manufacturing.
MISSION
We empower companies to bring new ideas to market by offering the fastest and most comprehensive digital manufacturing service in the world.
INNOVATION
Protolabs are all about innovation. As digital manufacturers, we use advanced technologies to produce parts quickly and efficiently. We constantly challenge and improve our existing offerings, seeking unmet needs and developing products or services to meetthose needs.
We are proud to help companies from many industries reduce development time, lower production costs and get to market faster using the most innovative technologies, strategies and materials. Working in an array of industries means Protolabsare exposed to the latest innovations from all corners of the manufacturing industry, allowing us to collaborate and share best practices across multiple disciplines.
A Brief History of Protolabs
Take a quick trip through our company’s past to see where we came from, where we are, and where we’re headed.
Taking a Design from Art to Part
Upload a 3D CAD model online at any time to receive a quote within hours.
Our Digital Network of Manufacturers at Hubs
Bring ideas to market with the fastest and most comprehensive digital manufacturing service in the world. Access Protolabs’ digital factories for accelerated manufacturing of quality parts paired with our digital network of global manufacturers for volume pricing, tighter tolerances, and more complexity. The result? Digital manufacturing and engineering expertise that meets all your needs from prototyping to production.
How We Can Help
Accelerate product development, reduce costs, and optimise your supply chain with technology-enabled 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection moulding.