Protolabs Network
{{Short description|Online manufacturing platform}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Protolabs Network
| logo = File:Protolabs Network Logo.jpg
| location_city = Amsterdam, Netherlands
| foundation = {{start date and age|2013}}
| founder = Bram de Zwart
Brian Garret
Filemon Schöffer
| industry = Manufacturing, 3D printing, CNC machining, injection moulding
| num_employees = 140
| owner = Protolabs
| homepage = {{url|https://www.hubs.com/}}
}}
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
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2024}}
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.{{Cite web|last=Griffiths|first=Laura|date=2020-01-30|title=40% of online 3D printed parts in 2019 were for serial production says 3D Hubs|url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/api/content/fcc27a84-411e-11ea-8649-1244d5f7c7c6/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=TCT Magazine|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|last=Nichols|first=Greg|title=2020 predictions: 5 telling trends in 3D printing|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/2020-predictions-5-telling-trends-in-3d-printing/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=ZDNet|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Today|first=Industry|date=2020-08-10|title=Supply Chain Resilience Report 2020|url=https://industrytoday.com/supply-chain-resilience-report-2020/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Industry Today|language=en-US}} Hubs also runs a yearly student grant with the aim of encouraging and supporting engineering students in their development of innovative projects.{{Cite web|date=2019-07-17|title=Winners: 2019 3D Hubs Student Grant « Fabbaloo|url=https://www.fabbaloo.com/blog/2019/7/17/winners-2019-3d-hubs-student-grant|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Fabbaloo|language=en-US}} In 2020, Hubs launched the COVID-19 Manufacturing fund, to help fund and manufacture vital protective equipment such as face shields for hospitals in need during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=3D Hubs launches COVID-19 Manufacturing Fund to facilitate production of medical equipment|url=https://tech.eu/brief/3d-hubs-manufacturing-fund/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Tech.eu|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=How startups are supporting Europe's coronavirus efforts|url=https://sifted.eu/articles/startup-initiatives-coronavirus/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Sifted|language=en-US}}
Awards
- In 2014, Wired UK named 3D Hubs Startup of the Week.{{Cite news|last=WIRED|date=2014-09-12|title=Startup of the Week: 3D Hubs|language=en-GB|work=Wired UK|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/startup-of-the-week-3d-hubs|access-date=2020-12-16|issn=1357-0978}}
- In 2018, 3D Hubs won the Dutch market challenger award by Sprout.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-22|title=3D Hubs wint de Challenger50 van 2018|url=https://mtsprout.nl/challenger50/3d-hubs-wint-de-challenger50-van-2018|access-date=2020-12-16|website=MT/Sprout|language=nl}}
- In 2019 and 2020, Hubs was named amongst the Deloitte Fast 50 list of fastest growing technology companies in the Netherlands.{{Cite web|title=Technology Fast 50 2020: The nominees {{!}} Deloitte|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/nl/nl/pages/technologie-media-telecom/articles/fast-50-nominees-2020.html|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Deloitte Netherlands|language=nl}}{{Cite web|title=Deloitte Technology Fast 50 2019: deze snelst groeiende technologiebedrijven maken kans {{!}} Over Deloitte {{!}} Deloitte Nederland|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/nl/nl/pages/over-deloitte/articles/deloitte-technology-fast-50-2019-deze-snelst-groeiende-technologiebedrijven-maken-kans.html|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Deloitte Netherlands|language=nl}}
- In 2020, 3D Hubs CEO Bram de Zwart was named in Business Insider's list of 100 leaders transforming business in Europe.{{Cite web|title=Transforming Business {{!}} 300 People transforming business|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tb/the-list-of-300-people-transforming-business-in-europe-2020-9|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Transforming Business|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Transforming Business {{!}} 300 People transforming business|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tb/the-list-of-300-people-transforming-business-in-2020-9/transformers/bram-de-zwart|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Transforming Business|language=en-US}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Software companies of the Netherlands}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Online companies of the Netherlands