One year after helping to bring Shapeways home, our CEO Marleen reflects on what’s changed and why our B2B manufacturing model is more focused than ever on helping the next generation of device-makers.

Twelve months ago, we returned to a new management team including two of our original founders. This wasn’t in order to turn back the clock, but to reorientate toward the future. While we have long supported B2B manufacturing needs, the relaunch sharpened our focus: helping digital-native hardware teams bring next-generation devices to market, without the friction and limitations of traditional manufacturing. These teams are often rich in ideas, software talent and drive but light on production expertise. In this situation, we offer more than parts. We’re a partner in design, prototyping, production and lifecycle management.

A year of focused progress

In the past year, we’ve executed on a bold, founder-driven plan, starting with buying back the company’s Dutch and US assets. The job of rebuilding from bankruptcy and adding the Thangs platform to our family of companies came next. Each step was intentional and pre-planned, undertaken not just to restore what existed, but to build something more fit for purpose and resilient.

With that foundation in place, we now operate as a focused B2B partner, while Thangs serves a separate but connected purpose: empowering creators to share, sell and manufacture their 3D designs in the consumer space.

Built for fast-moving teams

The ‘new’ Shapeways isn’t a departure from our roots but rather it’s a doubling down on what we do best. We’re now purpose-built to support fast-moving, innovation-focused teams building devices that don’t fit traditional manufacturing playbooks.

These are teams building all conceivable types of devices designed for real-world impact in niche, fast-growing markets. The products are often part of a software/hardware bundle where the teams are digital natives, with deep UX and product-market fit expertise, but little or no in-house manufacturing experience.

Their challenges are consistent:

  • They need fast, iterative prototyping.
  • They need short-run production without high MOQs.
  • They need finishing and light assembly that meets final-use standards.
  • They need support throughout the lifecycle — including spare parts and digital inventory.

That’s where we come in, providing high-quality, small-batch manufacturing with design input, finishing options and digital tools to keep pace with the product’s evolution.

From prototype to product and beyond

For the teams we now support, the product lifecycle doesn’t look like it used to. Devices ship faster, iterate more often and scale differently. There’s no capacity to build tooling for a first-gen product that may be updated in six months. And spare parts need to be on-demand, accurate to spec and available years later.

Our platform is designed around those realities:

  • Digital warehousing and lifecycle tools – keeping track of every product version, so customers get the right spare parts, every time.
  • Prototyping and design feedback – to get to manufacturable, testable parts faster.
  • Short-run production – batch sizes from 10 to 5,000, with finishing options like spray painting, vapor smoothing, heat inserts, and light assembly.

What’s next in the plan?

As demand grows, so does our ambition. Over the next year, we plan to expand both our digital toolset and our production capabilities. That includes:

  • New digital solutions for file management, collaboration, and lifecycle tracking.
  • Additional on-demand production technologies, beyond 3D printing.
  • More post-processing and value-added services, including light electronics integration.

The goal is clear: to reduce friction at every stage of hardware development — from early design to last-mile delivery.

Ready to build?

For any team building a next-gen product and struggling to find a manufacturing partner that moves as fast as they do, we’re ready. Whether you’re scaling production or just trying to get your first working prototype in hand, our team is here to help.