What’s Happening in Telford, UK?

We thought you’d never ask. Our EU facility is up and running, orders are coming in, and prototypes are going out. We met our ’05 goals, and the facility has already begun the process of doubling production capacity. But the best news is that the customers are happy. If it’s true, as we’ve heard, that folks are more reserved over there, the fact that customers describe the performance of Protomold Limited as “impressive” (and they have), suggests that they’re very happy.

News from the Great White North

Some of you may think, especially at this time of year, that “The Great White North” refers to our headquarters location here in Minnesota. Actually, as any Minnesotan will tell you, the real GWN is Canada, where we’ve been shipping an increasing number of parts. In fact, we now have an online export management system, which you can see for yourself on our web site. So if your location is great, white, and north of Minnesota and you need fast, affordable, injection molded prototypes, check us out, eh?

News from Cyberspace

If you liked ProtoQuote before, you’re going to love it now. With a major facelift and a lot more under the hood, ProtoQuote is faster, smarter, and easier to use than ever before. The look and feel is user-friendly, feedback is clearer, and the entire process is a whole lot faster. Feedback on your design is now clearly separated into three tabbed sections: critical changes, optional changes, and information-only notes. Powered by our expanded “server farm” the system’s upgraded algorithms now render images in a fraction of the time and give more specific information on draft and texturing requirements. We think you’ll like it, but don’t take our word for it. See for yourself on the Protomold website.

News from the Future

If you think the new ProtoQuote is slick, just you wait. The developers won’t let us say exactly what they’re working on for the next release of ProtoQuote, but if you like the kind of dynamic 3D graphics you find in video games, have we got a quoting system for you!

The Journal: Not Just for Designers Anymore

In addition to these email updates, you probably receive the quarterly Protomold Journal. (If you don’t and would like to, send us your “snail mail” mailing address at info@protomold.com and we’ll start your free subscription immediately.

With product design now impacting so much of what a company does these days, competitively, financially, and even strategically, the Journal now strives to address broader issues than ever before. If there are others in your organization, in purchasing, marketing, or the executive suite, who you think might benefit from a big-picture view of modern prototyping, email us their contact information (name, title, and mailing address) at info@protomold.com and and we’ll give them a free subscription as well.

Feathers in Our Cap

• On October 1, the Inc. 500 list identified Protomold as the 96th fastest-growing private company in the U.S.
• On October 21, The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 2005 Growth 50 list placed Protomold fourth among private Twin Cities companies.
• On October 27, Upsize Magazine named Protomold Minnesota’s Business Builder of the Year.

Our sincere thanks to all the customers who trusted us with their business last year. We look forward to serving you in 2006.

Speaking of Customers…

...effective immediately our customer service reps all have new numbers.

• Kristy Pittman, 763-479-7527
• Susan Maass, 763-479-7524
• Cassie Johnson, 763-479-7523

Please call if you need assistance; we’re here to help.

See You at the Show

• January 23-25, 2006, the SolidWorks World Conference 2006 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Booth #103
• March 20-23, 2006, National Manufacturing Week at the Donald Stevens Convention Center, Rosemont Illinois, Booth #16,025 in the National Design Engineering section. Save the $50 admission fee by sending an email to marketing@protomold.com and we’ll mail you a free admission ticket.

ProtoQuote®

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Part Tester

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Sample Part

If you'd like an instructional sample part with do's and don'ts of rapid injection molding, we'll happily send one free of charge. Just call (763) 479-3680, or email us at: marketing@protomold.com

Friendly Advice

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Design Guidelines

As always, you can visit the Protomold Design Guidelines for helpful Rapid Injection Molding design information.