Protolabs Network

Protolabs Network is a business-to-business digital manufacturing service network that gives designers, engineers, and companies access to on-demand production capacity. The business was established in Amsterdam in April 2013 under the name 3D Hubs by Bram de Zwart, Brian Garret, and Filemon Schöffer. Its initial concept centered on connecting customers with local 3D-printing providers through an online marketplace. The platform subsequently broadened beyond peer-to-peer 3D printing into a managed network covering several major forms of custom-part production. The company later operated under the Hubs name and developed a broader manufacturing proposition for businesses needing prototypes, low-volume production, and custom components. Its service categories include 3D printing, computer numerical control machining, injection molding, and sheet-metal fabrication. Rather than relying solely on equipment owned by the platform, Protolabs Network coordinates work through a network of vetted manufacturing partners and Protolabs technology-enabled factories in North America and Europe. This model is intended to simplify supplier discovery, quoting, production coordination, and fulfillment for customers that may otherwise need to manage multiple specialist manufacturers. The business became particularly associated with distributed manufacturing and digital access to production services. By 2021, when it was acquired, the former 3D Hubs platform was described as the world's largest peer-to-peer 3D-printing network. Its evolution from a marketplace for individual 3D-printing providers into a broader business manufacturing network reflects the increasing use of digital platforms to source prototypes and production parts across borders. In January 2021, Protolabs acquired the company in a transaction valued at $280 million in cash and stock, with an additional $50 million tied to performance targets. Following the acquisition, the subsidiary was rebranded Hubs. In January 2024, it was renamed Protolabs Network, aligning the platform more directly with Protolabs' wider manufacturing-services identity. The network is described as incorporating more than 250 vetted manufacturing partners and is presented as part of Protolabs' global manufacturing services. Alongside its commercial operations, the organization has published industry research on topics such as 3D-printing adoption and supply-chain resilience. It has also supported engineering education through an annual student grant and, during the early COVID-19 period, launched a manufacturing fund to help support the production of protective equipment such as face shields for hospitals. The brand's current positioning combines online manufacturing access, digital quoting and coordination, and a geographically distributed production network for engineers and businesses seeking responsive custom manufacturing.

Protolabs Network originated in Amsterdam in April 2013 as 3D Hubs, founded by Bram de Zwart, Brian Garret, and Filemon Schöffer. The founders developed an online marketplace intended to connect customers with distributed 3D-printing capacity. This approach gave businesses and designers a way to locate manufacturing resources without establishing direct relationships with every individual service provider. The platform expanded as the market for additive manufacturing matured. It moved beyond a narrow peer-to-peer 3D-printing focus and developed a wider set of production services, including CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet-metal fabrication. The broader offering addressed not only early-stage prototypes but also custom parts and low-volume production. The company's network model allowed customers to access manufacturing partners through a digital interface while the platform coordinated sourcing and production. By 2021, 3D Hubs was described as the world's largest peer-to-peer network for 3D-printing services. In January of that year, Minnesota-based Protolabs acquired the company for $280 million in cash and stock, with a further $50 million available if performance targets were met. After the transaction, the business was rebranded Hubs and became part of Protolabs' broader global manufacturing-services operation. The post-acquisition business combined the platform's digital sourcing capabilities with Protolabs' manufacturing infrastructure and technology-enabled factories in the United States and Europe. The resulting network was described as including more than 250 vetted manufacturing partners. Its principal users include product designers, engineers, and companies seeking rapid access to external production capacity. The business also developed an industry-facing role through reports on manufacturing trends, including research on 3D printing and supply-chain resilience. Its non-commercial activities included an annual student grant for engineering projects. In 2020, during the initial COVID-19 emergency, Hubs launched a manufacturing fund to support the financing and production of protective equipment such as face shields for hospitals. In January 2024, Hubs was renamed Protolabs Network. The new name linked the platform more clearly to Protolabs while retaining its network-based manufacturing proposition. Today, Protolabs Network is positioned as a digital access point for on-demand 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet-metal fabrication within Protolabs' global manufacturing-services ecosystem.

1. 2024Renamed Protolabs Network

   The Hubs platform adopted the Protolabs Network name.

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2. 2021Acquired by Protolabs

   Protolabs acquired the business for $280 million in cash and stock, with an additional performance-based amount of up to $50 million.

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3. 2020COVID-19 Manufacturing fund launched

   The company introduced a fund to help manufacture protective equipment for hospitals during the pandemic's early phase.

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4. 2020Recognized again in Deloitte Fast 50

   Hubs appeared again in Deloitte's ranking of rapidly growing Dutch technology companies.

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5. 2019First listed in Deloitte Fast 50 account

   The company was included in Deloitte's ranking of fast-growing technology companies in the Netherlands.

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6. 2018Wins Dutch market challenger award

   Sprout named 3D Hubs a Dutch market challenger.

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7. 2014Named Wired UK Startup of the Week

   3D Hubs received recognition from Wired UK as Startup of the Week.

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8. 20133D Hubs founded in Amsterdam

   Bram de Zwart, Brian Garret, and Filemon Schöffer founded the online manufacturing marketplace in Amsterdam.

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A digitally enabled B2B manufacturing network for rapid prototyping and on-demand production, combining online access to manufacturing partners with Protolabs' broader factory and engineering capabilities.

• 3D printingAdditive manufacturing2013

  On-demand additive manufacturing for prototypes, custom components, and selected low-volume production applications. The service is rooted in the company's original 3D-printing marketplace and remains one of the principal production categories associated with the network.

• CNC machiningSubtractive manufacturing

  Digitally sourced CNC machining for custom parts and prototypes. The offering extends the network beyond additive manufacturing and gives engineers access to conventional subtractive production through vetted manufacturing capacity.

• Injection molding塑料 manufacturing

  Custom injection-molding services for customers requiring repeatable molded components and low-volume production. It forms part of the broader manufacturing portfolio made available through the Protolabs Network.

• Sheet metal fabricationMetal fabrication

  On-demand fabrication of custom sheet-metal parts through the company's manufacturing network. The service supports product development and production needs that cannot be met through 3D printing alone.

• 2020COVID-19 Manufacturing fund

  Global

  Hubs created a fund to help finance and manufacture essential protective equipment, including face shields, for hospitals facing shortages during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

  Outcome. The initiative supported the production and distribution of protective equipment, although the available reference does not quantify its total output or funding.

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• Annual student grant

  Global

  Hubs sponsors a recurring grant intended to support engineering students developing innovative projects.

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• 2024Rebrand from Hubs to Protolabs NetworkStrategy

  Following its acquisition and integration into Protolabs' manufacturing-services business, the platform needed a name that more visibly connected it with its parent company.

  What changed. The Hubs platform was renamed Protolabs Network.

  Aftermath. The brand became more closely aligned with Protolabs' global manufacturing network and service portfolio.

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• 2021Protolabs acquisition of 3D HubsM&A

  Protolabs sought to add a digital manufacturing marketplace and distributed supplier network to its established custom-parts manufacturing business.

  What changed. Protolabs acquired 3D Hubs for $280 million in cash and stock, with a further $50 million linked to the achievement of performance targets.

  Aftermath. The acquired business became a Protolabs subsidiary, was initially rebranded Hubs, and was later renamed Protolabs Network.

  Acquisition consideration. $280 million in cash and stock, plus up to $50 million in performance-based consideration (January 2021)

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• 2024Hubs becomes Protolabs Network

  The Hubs platform was renamed Protolabs Network as part of its integration with Protolabs' global manufacturing-services identity.

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• 2021Protolabs acquires 3D Hubs

  Protolabs acquired the Amsterdam-based digital manufacturing marketplace in a transaction comprising $280 million in cash and stock, plus up to $50 million associated with performance targets.

  M&A
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• 2020COVID-19 Manufacturing fund supports protective equipment

  The company launched an initiative intended to help finance and manufacture vital protective equipment, including face shields for hospitals during the early COVID-19 response.

  Other
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• 2020Hubs named to Deloitte Fast 50

  Hubs again appeared among Deloitte's fastest-growing technology companies in the Netherlands.

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• 20193D Hubs named to Deloitte Fast 50

  The company was included among Deloitte's fastest-growing technology companies in the Netherlands.

  Other
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1. Protolabs Network