Global technology-enabled digital manufacturer Protolabs has reached an agreement to acquire 3D Hubs, a leading online manufacturing platform that provides engineers with on-demand access to a global network of approximately 240 premium manufacturing partners.
Rob Bodor, Protolabs’ incoming President and CEO, said the 280 million deal creates the world’s most comprehensive digital manufacturing offer for custom parts, providing the company with a network of manufacturing partners to fulfil a breadth of capabilities outside of its current envelope, as well as a broader offering of pricing and lead time options.
“The addition of 3D Hubs provides Protolabs a platform to evolve our service model to provide unprecedented manufacturing flexibility to our customers,” Mr Bodor said.
“Our combined organizations will provide the market an industry-leading digital manufacturing solution to serve their needs from idea to prototype to full end-use part production.
“Together we can fulfil nearly every custom manufacturing need across the product life cycle.”
3D Hubs, which has facilitated the production of over 6 million custom parts and products through its digital platform since its inception in 2013, provides customers with instant pricing and design feedback.
It fulfils orders through thoroughly vetted premium manufacturing partners in over 20 countries worldwide, offering vast manufacturing capacity and a broad range of manufacturing capabilities at a variety of competitive pricing levels.
The company’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bram de Zwart, said the entire 3D Hubs team was thrilled to join Protolabs and continue to revolutionise the manufacturing industry through innovation.
“At 3D Hubs, our goal is to empower companies to create revolutionary products through supply chain efficiency and reliability,” Mr de Zwart continued.
“We are confident that partnering with Protolabs will help us advance that mission,”
The transaction is expected to close by the end of January, subject to customary closing conditions.
