Manufacturing

Proto Labs Stock Up Post-IPO; Many MN Cos. See Gains

Shares of Maple Plain-based Proto Labs closed Friday at $29 per share-an 81 percent jump from its Thursday evening IPO price of $16 per share-and are still trading up; the news comes at a time when many Minnesota companies are reportedly doing well in the stock market.

3M to Make Fuel Tanks for Natural Gas Vehicles

The manufacturing giant, in partnership with a large natural gas producer, intends to develop less-expensive, higher-performance, lighter, and higher-capacity fuel tanks-which it hopes will jump-start the market for natural gas-fueled vehicles.
American Crystal Sugar: Full Steam Ahead

American Crystal Sugar: Full Steam Ahead

Despite escalating costs for all concerned, American Crystal Sugar is operating without 1,300 unionized factory workers locked out six months ago. Upping the ante, the union threatens to pull support for the Farm Bill, which in turn could hurt the entire sugar industry.

Proto Labs Helps Two Inventors Launch New Products

Proto Labs is offering discounted prototyping and short-run production services to two companies through its "Cool Idea!" program-one product comes from a local company that hopes to change how the life sciences industry stores tissue samples, the other from a Pennsylvania inventor who designed a sander that vacuums drywall dust.
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