Formlabs builds and opens new China office in Shenzhen in 47 days

Formlabs, a leader in 3D printing innovation, opened a new office in Shenzhen, China. This move represents the company’s deep integration into one of the world’s most dynamic and advanced hardware ecosystems. The Shenzhen office was built in just 47 days, underscoring the region’s efficiency and technological prowess.

What Formlabs achieved in Shenzhen would be considered near impossible in many parts of the world. In just under seven weeks, the company designed and constructed a fully operational workspace complete with furniture, WiFi setup, decoration, printing farms, and fully installed workstations. The Shenzhen office was built in record time, showing that “Shenzhen speed” is no exaggeration.

This rapid pace is not limited to construction. Across the board, interactions with local vendors, suppliers, and specialists showcased an extraordinary capacity to deliver quality and efficiency under pressure. It’s a mindset rooted in action, collaboration, and forward-thinking problem solving. Manufacturing in China isn’t just about producing parts; it’s about creating the tools that make the tools. This multi-layered approach to fabrication explains why tech giants like Apple manufacture here.

The Formlabs team visited facilities that contained rows upon rows of machines creating complex molds, some even automating the entire tool-making process. This level of specialization and scalability is hard to find in the U.S. or Europe. In the West, it’s rare to see companies that build their injection molds, let alone those making the tools that build them.

Beyond the physical supply chain lies something more powerful: the “brain chain.” This unique ecosystem links engineers, designers, manufacturers, and suppliers into a tightly knit, collaborative network. It’s more than just having access to components—it’s about having instant access to expertise.

When an engineer in Shenzhen identifies a performance issue in a product, they’re not working in isolation. They’re surrounded by specialists who can consult, troubleshoot, and iterate real-time solutions. This constant, high-level collaboration accelerates innovation and significantly shortens product development cycles.

Another lesson learned by the Formlabs team in Shenzhen revolved around post-processing. In the 3D printing world, post-processing is often viewed as an inconvenience, sometimes called the “dirty secret” of additive manufacturing. However, the Formlabs team observed that post-processing isn’t unique to 3D printing. It’s a universal part of manufacturing.

Every injection molding facility visited had skilled workers manually trimming, deburring, and perfecting parts fresh off the line. Post-processing is intrinsic to producing quality components, regardless of the method. What differs is how people engage with these processes. In the West, parts are often ordered and delivered finished. With additive manufacturing, users are the producers, bringing a deeper, more hands-on level of responsibility.

With this new office, Formlabs is positioned to leverage everything Shenzhen offers—from its manufacturing prowess to its unique engineering culture. This move marks more than just expansion; it signals a commitment to being at the heart of global hardware innovation. The company looks forward to building deeper roots in the region, strengthening its product offerings, and continuing to bridge the gap between additive and traditional manufacturing. As Formlabs grows, Shenzhen will play a central role in shaping the company’s future.