FineLine Prototyping Acquired by Proto Labs, Inc.
FineLine Prototyping to jump-start Proto Labs entry into additive manufacturing service business
RALEIGH, N.C.--FineLine Prototyping, Inc. a leading additive manufacturing service company, has announced today that it has been acquired by online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE: PRLB).
Proto Labs, headquartered in Maple Plain, MN, uses computer numerical control (CNC) machining and injection molding to manufacture custom parts for product developers worldwide.
FineLine offers high-quality stereolithography, selective laser sintering and direct metal laser sintering services to corporate customers in a wide variety of industries, including medical, aerospace, computer/electronics, consumer products, industrial machinery, among others.
The addition of an additive manufacturing service is highly complementary to Proto Labs' existing CNC machining and injection molding services. Historically, 70% of Proto Labs customers also utilize an additive manufacturing service in their product development process. Proto Labs will announce the acquisition of FineLine to its substantial database of over 300,000 product developers to help accelerate the growth of the additive manufacturing business.
Proto Labs will continue to operate the FineLine facility out of Raleigh, and expects to retain the services of all key employees, including FineLine principals Rob Connelly and Craig Goff, who will lead Proto Labs' global additive manufacturing business and operations.
Rob Connelly, President of FineLine said, "We are excited to join the Proto Labs team, a global leader in quick-turn custom parts manufacturing. Not only is it a great cultural fit for FineLine, but we're now in a better position to meet the significant demand for additive manufacturing services by leveraging the broader customer reach and global brand recognition of market-leader Proto Labs."
"The acquisition of FineLine is consistent with Proto Labs' strategy to expand sales to product developers through envelope expansions and addition of new service offerings which reduce time, cost and waste in new product development," said Vicki Holt, Proto Labs President and CEO. "We're excited to welcome the FineLine team on board."
Mooreland Partners LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to FineLine Prototyping, Inc. in connection with this transaction.
About Proto Labs, Inc.
Proto Labs, Inc. is a leading online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer of custom parts for prototyping and short-run production. Proto Labs provides "Real Parts, Really Fast" to product developers worldwide. Proto Labs uses computer numerical control (CNC) machining, injection molding, and additive manufacturing to manufacture custom parts for our customers. For more information, visit www.protolabs.com.
Featured Product
3D Vision: Ensenso B now also available as a mono version!
This compact 3D camera series combines a very short working distance, a large field of view and a high depth of field - perfect for bin picking applications. With its ability to capture multiple objects over a large area, it can help robots empty containers more efficiently. Now available from IDS Imaging Development Systems. In the color version of the Ensenso B, the stereo system is equipped with two RGB image sensors. This saves additional sensors and reduces installation space and hardware costs. Now, you can also choose your model to be equipped with two 5 MP mono sensors, achieving impressively high spatial precision. With enhanced sharpness and accuracy, you can tackle applications where absolute precision is essential. The great strength of the Ensenso B lies in the very precise detection of objects at close range. It offers a wide field of view and an impressively high depth of field. This means that the area in which an object is in focus is unusually large. At a distance of 30 centimetres between the camera and the object, the Z-accuracy is approx. 0.1 millimetres. The maximum working distance is 2 meters. This 3D camera series complies with protection class IP65/67 and is ideal for use in industrial environments.