Protolabs, a global player in digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping, has announced plans to set up a Global Capability Center (GCC) in India as part of its strategy to expand engineering strength and digital capabilities. The move is aimed at speeding up innovation, advancing AI-led transformation, and supporting global operations while improving overall customer experience.
The India GCC will be central to Protolabs’ efforts to bring its online customer platforms together and increase the use of automation, AI, and proprietary software. CEO Suresh Krishna said the company is rolling out ProDesk, a unified digital platform designed to simplify quoting, design, and ordering for both factory-fulfilled and network-fulfilled orders. The platform is expected to cut friction and make customer interactions faster and more efficient.
As part of this push, Protolabs plans to introduce smarter pricing and sourcing algorithms. It will also continue launching customer-facing digital tools through 2026 to ensure a smooth and connected manufacturing journey from start to finish.
To strengthen execution, Protolabs has reorganized its technology group under Chief Technology and AI Officer Mark Kermesch. Product management has been brought under the technology function to reduce internal silos and speed up development linked to digital and AI initiatives.
Alongside the India GCC, the company is reshaping its European operations after facing slower growth due to macroeconomic conditions and internal complexity. Demand is now being driven by innovation-focused sectors such as aerospace, defense, robotics, drones, satellites, and data center infrastructure, where rapid prototyping and short production runs are critical.
On the financial front, Protolabs reported Q4 revenue of $136.5 million, a rise of 12.1% YoY. Revenue from CNC machining increased 25%. For the full fiscal 2025, revenue stood at $533.1 million, up 6.4% YoY. The company said cost savings will be reinvested in digital and operational upgrades in 2026, rather than being used for near-term margin expansion.
Protolabs is also expanding its production strength. Its U.S. injection molding facility has secured ISO 13485 certification, enabling participation in medical device manufacturing with full traceability, validation, and automated inspection.
The India GCC marks a key step in Protolabs’ shift toward becoming a fully digital manufacturing platform, supporting global growth and deeper AI integration.
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