Proto Labs Ltd MD, John Tumelty
Proto Labs Ltd MD, John Tumelty
Shropshire-based Proto Labs Ltd. is the proud recipient of the 2013 Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade. This is the second time the company has been honoured with the award since its founding in 2005; the first just three years ago, in 2010.
Proto Labs has established itself as the world’s fastest source for custom CNC machined and injection moulded parts delivered in as little as one business day. Since inception the company has invested unceasingly in both technology and people, building a world-class, innovative service to designers and engineers across Europe. As a result, Proto Labs has enjoyed an impressive rate of year-on-year expansion.
“This Queen’s Award recognises our outstanding performance in international trading,” says Managing Director, Mr. John Tumelty. “Our investment strategy has over the years resulted in substantial growth both in terms of earnings and market share in a very competitive market. In fact, it’s precisely because of this investment that our services are in such demand by designers and engineers across Europe who value highly, innovative processes that reduce product development times and costs without compromising on quality.”
Proto Labs Ltd. is part of the globally successful Proto Labs Inc., based in Minnesota, USA. However, it is local expertise and engineering know-how that has made Proto Labs a success in Europe. “Whilst our European manufacturing operation is based solely in the UK,” adds Mr Tumelty, “we have sales offices in the UK, Germany, France and Italy, which have helped us build successful working relationships with some of the biggest, most prestigious manufacturing companies across Europe, within the automotive, aerospace, medical and domestic appliances sectors amongst others.”
Each category of the annual Queen’s Award has a separate judging panel which makes a recommendation to the UK Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee. This committee then makes a final recommendation to HM The Queen, who decides the winners and invites representatives to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace.
Says Mr Tumelty, “Everyone at Proto Labs can be proud of the part they play in our success. It is their hard work that has made Proto Labs a manufacturing force capable of competing in the European market, making this second Queen’s Award possible.”
