The Protocase Companies today announced the launch of laser cutting operations at its Wilmington, North Carolina manufacturing facility, a milestone that the company says will increase production capacity and strengthen its growing U.S. manufacturing footprint. The first production parts were successfully cut on July 7, bringing one of Protocase's foundational manufacturing capabilities to its rapidly expanding U.S. operation.
Laser cutting is a core technology behind Protocase's proprietary High Velocity Mass Customization (HVMC) manufacturing model. By establishing this capability in Wilmington, the company now offers end-to-end precision sheet metal fabrication within its U.S. operation, which is expected to support the fast turnaround times customers rely on for custom-manufactured parts. The move comes during a period of rapid growth for the company's North Carolina operations. Between May and July, The Protocase Companies grew its Wilmington workforce from 39 employees to 72 while continuing to expand production inside its 20,900-square-foot manufacturing facility.
“High Velocity Mass Customization isn't just about the equipment. It's about how experienced people, proven systems, smart facilities, and years of proven advanced manufacturing know-how work in harmony together,” said Co-founder and Vice President Dr. Doug Milburn. “Bringing laser cutting to Wilmington is another step in building a stronger manufacturing operation. Every capability we add gives us more capacity to serve customers while maintaining the speed and quality they've come to expect from Protocase.”
For engineers, researchers, and product developers, manufacturing speed often determines how quickly ideas become prototypes and products. Expanding core production capabilities in Wilmington enables Protocase to move more projects from design to finished parts in days instead of weeks, helping customers accelerate development without compromising precision or quality. The company is already investing in the next phase of its Wilmington expansion, with a dedicated CNC machining operation planned to further broaden its U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Exploratory plans are also underway for a larger Wilmington campus that would include expanded manufacturing space and corporate offices.
The investment reflects the company's long-term commitment to growing advanced manufacturing capacity in the United States while creating highly skilled manufacturing careers in southeastern North Carolina. With laser cutting now online and additional investments already underway, Wilmington is becoming an increasingly important manufacturing hub for The Protocase Companies. Each new capability strengthens the company's ability to deliver rapid, custom manufacturing to engineers, innovators, and organizations across the United States and around the world.
The Protocase Companies, headquartered in Sydney, Nova Scotia, include Protocase, 45Drives, and ProtoSpace Manufacturing. They serve customers across aerospace, defense, robotics, scientific research, advanced computing, and industrial technology. For more information, visit the original release at https://www.newmediawire.com.
