Protolabs Network
A business-to-business digital manufacturing network connecting designers and engineers with vetted production partners.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
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.
History
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.
- 2024
Renamed Protolabs Network
[1]The Hubs platform adopted the Protolabs Network name in January 2024 as part of its integration with Protolabs.
- 2021
Acquired by Protolabs
[1]Protolabs acquired the business for $280 million in cash and stock, with an additional performance-based amount of up to $50 million.
- 2020
COVID-19 Manufacturing fund launched
[1]The company created a fund to help finance and manufacture protective equipment, including face shields, for hospitals during the pandemic's early phase.
- 2020
Recognized again in Deloitte Fast 50
[1]3D Hubs again appeared on Deloitte's list of fast-growing technology companies in the Netherlands.
- 2019
First listed in Deloitte Fast 50 account
[1]The company was included in Deloitte's ranking of fast-growing technology companies in the Netherlands.
- 2018
Wins Dutch market challenger award
[1]3D Hubs received the Dutch Market Challenger award from Sprout.
- 2014
Named Wired UK Startup of the Week
[1]3D Hubs received recognition from Wired UK as Startup of the Week.
- 2013
3D Hubs founded in Amsterdam
[1]Bram de Zwart, Brian Garret, and Filemon Schöffer founded 3D Hubs as an online peer-to-peer marketplace for 3D-printing services.
Products and positioning
A technology-enabled, B2B on-demand manufacturing network for engineers and designers that combines digital quoting and ordering with access to Protolabs facilities and a global network of vetted production partners.
Additive manufacturing · 2013
3D printing
On-demand additive manufacturing for prototypes, custom components, functional parts, and selected low-volume production applications, provided through Protolabs facilities and network partners. The service is rooted in the company's original 3D-printing marketplace and remains one of the principal production categories associated with the network. The platform provides online access to additive manufacturing through Protolabs facilities and network partners. The service is used for prototypes, functional parts, and other short-run applications requiring a range of 3D-printing capabilities and materials.
Subtractive manufacturing
CNC machining
Digitally sourced CNC machining for custom parts and prototypes, obtained through an online workflow supported by Protolabs and vetted manufacturing partners. The offering extends the network beyond additive manufacturing and gives engineers access to conventional subtractive production. CNC machining is offered as part of the platform's broader on-demand manufacturing portfolio. Customers can obtain machined components through an online workflow supported by Protolabs and vetted manufacturing partners.
塑料 manufacturing
Injection molding
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. The network supports injection-molded parts for customers progressing from prototypes toward repeatable production. It extends the platform beyond one-off additive manufacturing into tooling-based plastics production. Custom injection-molding services for customers requiring repeatable molded components and low-volume production, supporting customers progressing from prototypes toward repeatable production. It extends the platform beyond one-off additive manufacturing into tooling-based plastics production.
Metal fabrication
Sheet metal fabrication
On-demand fabrication of custom sheet-metal parts through the company's manufacturing network, enabling businesses to source formed and fabricated metal components through the same digital manufacturing channel. The service supports product development and production needs that cannot be met through 3D printing alone. Sheet metal fabrication is another manufacturing route available through the Protolabs Network. It enables businesses to source formed and fabricated metal components through the same digital manufacturing channel.
Marketing campaigns
- 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. The initiative supported the production and distribution of protective equipment, although the available reference does not quantify its total output or funding. The initiative supported the funding and manufacture of protective equipment, including face shields, during the initial COVID-19 public-health response.
Outcome. The initiative supported the production and distribution of protective equipment, although the available reference does not quantify its total output or funding. The supplied reference describes the initiative and its intended beneficiaries but does not provide quantified production or fundraising results.
- Annual student grant
Global
Hubs sponsors a recurring grant intended to support engineering students developing innovative projects.
- Engineering student grant
Engineering students
Hubs sponsored a recurring student grant intended to help engineering students develop innovative projects.
Brand decisions
2024
Rebrand from Hubs to Protolabs NetworkStrategyBackground
Following its acquisition and integration into Protolabs' manufacturing-services business, the platform needed a name that more visibly connected it with its parent company.
Action taken
The company renamed the platform Protolabs Network in January 2024.
Aftermath
The brand became more closely aligned with Protolabs' global manufacturing network and service portfolio. The new name made the platform's connection to Protolabs and its global partner network more explicit.
2021
Protolabs acquisition of 3D HubsM&ABackground
Protolabs sought to add a digital manufacturing marketplace and distributed supplier network to its established custom-parts manufacturing business.
Action taken
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)
2021
Join the Protolabs manufacturing ecosystemM&ABackground
3D Hubs operated a large distributed manufacturing marketplace, while Protolabs provided technology-enabled manufacturing facilities and custom-part services.
Action taken
Protolabs acquired 3D Hubs for $280 million in cash and stock, with up to $50 million additionally payable on the achievement of performance targets.
Aftermath
The acquired business was rebranded Hubs and later became Protolabs Network, with the network integrated into Protolabs' broader global manufacturing offering.
Acquisition consideration. $280 million in cash and stock, plus up to $50 million tied to performance targets (January 2021 transaction)
Recent events
Protolabs agrees to acquire 3D Hubs[4]
Reported:
Protolabs announced an agreement to acquire online manufacturing platform 3D Hubs for $280 million. The transaction was expected to close by the end of February 2021.
Sources4 sources
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