Proto Labs receives the Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Since it was founded five years ago, Proto Labs has improved the economics and delivery times associated with the production of prototype and low-volume parts for manufacturers. Customers are world-leaders in many different industry sectors, including medical, aerospace, automotive and domestic appliances. Proto Labs has achieved continued commercial success with sustainable year-on-year growth. The company's innovative services are used by product designers and product development teams who need prototype, or low-volume, plastic parts delivered quickly and cost effectively. Proto Labs offers two services: First Cut delivers Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machined parts in small quantities of 1-10 units, and Protomold delivers injection-moulded plastic parts in quantities of 10-10,000+. What makes the Proto Labs process particularly innovative is the company's super-computer cluster and powerful software, both of which are continuously developed in-house. A customer can upload a 3D CAD model of their part to the First Cut or Protomold websites and receive within hours a unique web-based quote, including a detailed manufacturability analysis and an accurate all-in production price. The customer can then place an order in much the same way as purchasing a book from an online retailer. Whichever service the customer uses, the company can ship orders in as little as one day from the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility based in Shropshire.