The Protocase Companies announced today the launch of laser cutting operations at its Wilmington, North Carolina manufacturing facility, a significant step in the company's expansion of its U.S. manufacturing footprint. The first production parts were cut on July 7, bringing one of Protocase's core manufacturing capabilities—laser cutting—to its growing U.S. operation. This move establishes end-to-end precision sheet metal fabrication within the company's U.S. facility, increasing production capacity and supporting the fast turnaround times customers expect for custom-manufactured parts.
Laser cutting is a foundational technology behind Protocase's proprietary High Velocity Mass Customization (HVMC) manufacturing model. By integrating this capability in Wilmington, the company can now offer complete sheet metal fabrication services from its U.S. location, reducing lead times and enhancing efficiency. The milestone comes during a period of rapid growth for the North Carolina operations: between May and July, the Wilmington workforce expanded from 39 to 72 employees, and production within the 20,900-square-foot facility continues to scale.
“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. 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,” said Co-founder and Vice President Dr. Doug Milburn.
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 projects from design to finished parts in days rather than weeks, helping customers accelerate development without compromising precision or quality. The company is already investing in the next phase of its Wilmington expansion, including a dedicated CNC machining operation and exploratory plans for a larger campus with expanded manufacturing space and corporate offices.
With laser cutting now operational and additional investments underway, Wilmington is becoming an increasingly important hub for The Protocase Companies. Each new capability strengthens the company's ability to deliver rapid, custom manufacturing to engineers and organizations across the United States and globally. For more information, visit the original release on NewMediaWire.
