Larry Lukis, founder of Proto Labs, set to retire.
Founder of prototyping and low-volume production company Proto Labs, Larry Lukis has announced his retirement after 18 years with the business.
Lukis launched the ProtoMold Company in 1999 to reduce the amount of time it took product developers to get plastic injection-moulded parts. He wrote front-end software programming that automated design analysis on 3D CAD models, which could then be sent digitally to interconnected manufacturing equipment for quick-turn part production.
From its origin as a small startup in Long Lake, Minnesota, Proto Labs has grown into a global digital manufacturing leader with production facilities in the United States, Europe and Japan and last year reported nearly $300 million in annual revenue. In addition to injection moulding services, the company also offers 3D printing, CNC machining and the recently launched insert moulding services.
Proto Labs
“While the company has grown significantly over the past decade, Proto Labs has never lost that tenacious startup mentality that it was founded on,” said Lukis. “With the current executive leadership, I know Proto Labs will be in good hands for many years to come as it continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in manufacturing.”
In addition to founding the company, in 2014 Lukis launched Digi Labs to invest in and accelerate startup companies with products ranging from compact marine tech to virtual reality devices, an extension of the ethos behind the Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award which supports innovative startups by providing in-kind manufacturing services.
“Larry’s brilliant computing mind and leadership presence in the boardroom have been invaluable,” said Vicki Holt, President and CEO of Proto Labs. “He is the reason Proto Labs is the company it is today, and we’ll certainly still look to him at times for advice in the future.”
Longtime board member, Sven Wehrwein, will serve as Lukis' successor as chairman of the board of directors.
