10 Years of Prusa Research
From a one-man startup into a largest 3D printer manufacturer in the World
Prusa Research Overview
Prusa Research is a privately-owned organization that has been in the field for 10 years. Headquartered in Prague (capital city), Czechia, the founder and CEO of the company is Josef Prusa. Currently, the company specializes in desktop FDM and SLA 3D printers, as well as 3D printing filament, resin, and 3D printing software development. The company employs nearly 750 employees, and its annual revenue varies between 80M and 100M USD.
The one-man startup was established in 2012 by the founder, who was passionate about 3D printers. In 2009, Josef considered 3D printing a new technology that would open new arenas to change and improve.
The startup was very small, and there were no investors or campaigns. With the passage of time, Prusa i3 design emerged as one of the most popular FDM 3D printer designs. Due to its open-source approach, the printer was later adopted by many worldwide printer manufacturers.
Currently, more than 700 people are employed in Prusa Research and more than 10000 printers are being shipped worldwide on a monthly basis. According to Deloitte (2018), Prusa Research has become the no.1 fastest growing tech company in Central Europe with amazing growth rate of 17118% over the last four (4) years and claimed the no.1 position the in Deloitte's 2019 BIG 5 category with the remarkable growth rate of 4527 %.
Ten years of 3D printing
Prusa Research is celebrating its 10th anniversary. All this success is credited to the hard work and passion of hundreds of amazing people employed in the company who are responsible for handling the lengthy and complicated procedure of printer manufacturing. The process starts with a blueprint of a new machine and ends with thousands of 3D printers shipped worldwide.
These ten years also have the support of the RepRap Project initiated by Adrian Bowyer, without which the 3D printing concept would have been very different. In addition to this, Alessandro Ranellucci, the man behind the original Slic3r slicing software is also praised for the successful ten years along with the hard work and dedication of team Marlin firmware. These stakeholders managed the company to operate in an infant industry and continue to provide incredible services to the community until this day.
Furthermore, 3D printing communities and their members are the cornerstones of everything. Several talented designers, programmers, engineers and enthusiasts have invested their hard work and efforts to make the company big as it is today.
Initially started with two people only, the company has nearly 750 employees today who are investing time and efforts in design, production, engineering or marketing.
The company had a proper office until 2015 after which team Prusa was expanded over 15 people and the first party was held on the street in front of the office. Today, Prusa is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a proper party and many offerings that include a limited edition of their most popular 3D printer:
This is a limited run of the Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ called the 10th Anniversary Edition. The frame of this edition has a nice shiny golden color and its custom-made double-sided smooth PEI print sheet with the 10th-anniversary logo is the cherry on the top. The best thing is that the frame of each printer is personally signed by yours truly.
The 10th Anniversary assembly kit is available for US$899 (without VAT) / EUR 949 (VAT inc.). The fully assembled 10th Anniversary 3D printer is available at US$1199 (without VAT) / EUR 1259 (VAT inc.). Both the kit and the assembled printer is being covered with the standard warranty.
Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ Timeline Edition
To mark the celebration, team Prusa has manufactured a special and rare version of the MK3S+. the machine has been decorated with images that depict the important milestones of Prusa Research. The printer will be placed on an auction and the proceeds will be donated to Sanjay Mortimer Foundation Fundraiser. The charitable foundation is commencing its first fundraiser event on Saturday 11th June, 2022. Prusa Research plans to donate its ‘Timeline Edition’ 3D printer to be auctioned off at this event and all the proceeds will be forwarded to the foundation.
Prusa Research’s Latest Acquisition
Prusa acquires Trilab to move into industrial 3D printing
Prusa Research announced in November, 2021 that has made an acquisition of Czech 3D printer manufacturer Trilab. This deal will eventually let Prusa Research to enter in the world of industrial delta 3D printing. Trilab are the manufacturers of one-of-a-kind delta-style 3D printers that have a high-end extrusion mechanism including both Bowden and Direct Drive, and has the advantages of both approaches.
The collaboration of the two companies will mean that Trilab will be integrating its equipment with the spectacular line o 3D printer filament, Prusament. Another cooperation area can likely be within the print farm management. Prusa Research has established a farm called AFS which is currently on display at EXPO 2020 Dubai; it is possible it could be used with Trilab equipment. This, as a matter of fact, is the major part of the entire deal because the equipment at Prusa Research farm isn’t designed to produce the end-production application parts. On the other side, the Trilab delta printers can easily 3D print precision parts in a variety of engineering materials that can be used in the end-production applications. This aspect can be of great interest for many manufacturers.
The acquisition is a crucial move for both corporations although, being a bit unusual. This deal will open new paths for Prusa Research to strongly transit within the manufacturing industry which is huge.
Printed Solid and Prusa Research Family
Printed Solid Inc. has been included as the part of Prusa family. Printed Solid is well recognized US-based distributor of 3D printers and accessories. The product sales of the manufacturer are primarily confined over enterprise, government and educational customers in the States. Acquiring this reseller will provide an opportunity to Prusa to extend its sales network within the US. This acquisition will further expand its hold to consumer sales.
