Protolabs Network is an online manufacturing platform that provides businesses on-demand access to a global network of more than 250 manufacturing partners. It is part of Protolabs’ global manufacturing services, offering 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding and sheet metal fabrication.
Previously known as "3D Hubs", and later "Hubs", it was acquired by Protolabs in 2021 to provide expanded capabilities and volume pricing options to designers and engineers.
Company
Protolabs Network, formerly known as "3D Hubs", was founded in Amsterdam in April 2013 by Bram de Zwart and Brian Garret, with Filemon Schöffer later joining the founding team. It was the world’s largest peer-to-peer network of 3D printing services. As the company grew, it added more capabilities and higher-volume production options, changing its name to "Hubs".
In January 2021, Minnesota-based Protolabs, a publicly traded custom part manufacturer, announced an agreement to acquire the company for $280 million in cash and stock, plus incentives. In January 2024, Hubs rebranded as Protolabs Network to reflect its integration with Protolabs.
Protolabs’ technology-enabled factories in the US and Europe are complemented by its network’s expanded manufacturing capabilities, such as tighter tolerances and more complex parts.
Industry reports & initiatives
The company releases regular reports on leading trends and developments within the manufacturing industry, including the 3D Printing Trend Report and the Supply Chain Resilience Report. Hubs also runs a yearly student grant with the aim of encouraging and supporting engineering students in their development of innovative projects. In 2020, Hubs launched the COVID-19 Manufacturing fund, to help fund and manufacture vital protective equipment such as
face shield
A face shield, an item of personal protective equipment, aims to protect the wearer's entire face (or part of it) from hazards such as Projectile, flying objects and road debris, chemical splashes (in laboratory, laboratories or in Industry (eco ...
s for hospitals in need during the onset of the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
.
Awards
* In 2014,
Wired UK
''Wired UK'' is a bimonthly magazine that reports on the effects of science and technology. It covers a broad range of topics including design, architecture, culture, the economy, politics and philosophy. Owned by Condé Nast Publications, it is ...
named 3D Hubs ''Startup of the Week''.
* In 2018, 3D Hubs won the ''Dutch market challenger award'' by Sprout.
* In 2019 and 2020, Hubs was named amongst the
Deloitte Fast 50
The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Awards are organized and overseen by the global professional services firm Deloitte, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. These awards recognize the 500 technology companies with the highest growth rates across vari ...
list of fastest growing technology companies in the Netherlands.
* In 2020, 3D Hubs CEO Bram de Zwart was named in
Business Insider
''Business Insider'' (stylized in all caps: BUSINESS INSIDER; known from 2021 to 2023 as INSIDER) is a New York City–based multinational financial and business news website founded in 2007. Since 2015, a majority stake in ''Business Inside ...
's list of 100 leaders transforming business in Europe.
See also
*
3D Printing
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 ...
*
3D Printing Marketplace
A 3D printing marketplace is a website where users buy, sell and freely share digital 3D printable files for use on 3D printers. They sometimes also offer the ability to print the models and ship them to customers.
Concept
The market for 3D ...
References
{{Authority control
3D printing websites
Online companies of the Netherlands
Companies based in Amsterdam
2013 establishments in the Netherlands