About Us

Founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Larry Lukis, our company radically reduced the time needed to produce injection-molded plastic prototypes. Lukis developed complex software that automated the manufacturing process by connecting mills and presses in a network. As a result, plastic and metal parts could be made much faster than ever before.
Over the next decade, we expanded our capabilities in injection molding, introduced quick-turn CNC machining, and opened facilities globally.
In 2014, we launched 3D printing services to simplify the transition from early prototyping to low-volume production.
Acquiring Rapid Manufacturing in 2017 brought sheet metal fabrication into our suite of digital manufacturing services, further expanding our machining abilities. In 2021, Protolabs added a global manufacturing network powered by Hubs, which was rebranded as Protolabs Network in 2024.
Our 25 years of growth and expanding capabilities provide customers with the best digital manufacturing experience in the industry. This continued evolution shapes our vision and mission as a company.