Paton Group

What Paton Group does

Paton Group is a California-based technical education solutions reseller and integrator, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Altadena, serving K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and makerspaces across California, Nevada, and Hawaii. The company supplies the equipment, software, curriculum, and ongoing service required to operate design, prototyping, advanced manufacturing, and fabrication programs. Its product portfolio spans fabrication tools (3D printers from Stratasys PolyJet and Bambu Lab, Universal Laser Systems laser engravers, Tormach CNC machines, vacuum forming machines, Roland VersaSTUDIO printer/cutters, and woodshop equipment), design and prototyping technology (3D scanners, CAD/CAM engineering software, augmented reality), robotics and automation (Infento modular STEM kits), and supporting categories such as STEM/CTE furniture, esports equipment, classroom air filtration, and educational building kits. The portfolio is delivered alongside project-based STEM curriculum, certification programs, professional development for educators, fab lab and makerspace design services, and on-site installation, maintenance, and repair.

Paton Group operates a reseller model, sourcing equipment from third-party manufacturers and reselling it to educational institutions alongside proprietary or partner-developed curriculum and services. Go-to-market relies on direct enterprise sales and cooperative purchasing contracts that streamline procurement for public-sector buyers. Revenue derives from hardware sales (the dominant stream) and professional services including curriculum, certification, professional development, and maintenance. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and quotes are obtained through the sales team. Paton Group was acquired by H2I Group, an employee-owned (ESOP) supplier of educational and institutional solutions, and now operates as part of H2I's broader technical education solutions portfolio serving science, athletics, and other institutional markets. Chris Miller serves as Chief Operating Officer.

Name

Paton Group

Legal name

Paton Group

Website

https://patongroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Paton Group is a California-based technical education reseller supplying 3D printers, CNC machines, laser engravers, robotics, CAD/CAM software, curriculum, and certification to K-12 schools, higher education, and makerspaces across California, Nevada, and Hawaii, now part of H2I Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Altadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of technical education equipment including 3D printers, laser engravers, CNC machines, robotics, and related tools to educational institutions
2. Curriculum and Certification: Project-based curriculum and certification options in design, prototyping, advanced manufacturing, and fabrication
3. Professional Development and Training: Training services for educators on technical education equipment and curriculum implementation

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Paton Group was a full-service reseller supplying technical education equipment and solutions to K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and makerspaces across California, Nevada, and Hawaii. The portfolio includes fabrication tools (3D printers, laser engravers, CNC machines, vacuum formers, woodshop machines), design technology (3D scanners, CAD/CAM software, augmented reality), STEM curriculum, certification programs, professional development for educators, and fab lab/makerspace design and installation services.

Product overview

Paton Group, now part of H2I Group, is a full-service supplier of technical education solutions and products for K-12 schools, universities, and makerspaces. The portfolio is organized as a unified product and service ecosystem centered on technical education equipment, encompassing fabrication tools (3D printers, laser engravers, CNC machines, vacuum formers, woodshop machines), design and prototyping technology (3D scanners, engineering software, augmented reality), curriculum and certification programs (STEM curriculum, professional development, certification), and support services (fab lab design, service & maintenance). Brands include Stratasys PolyJet systems, Roland VersaSTUDIO devices, Universal Laser Systems, Infento robotics platforms, Bambu Lab printers, and Tormach CNC equipment. The company also provides expert design assistance, budgeting support, installation, and on-site maintenance services. Paton Group's acquisition extends H2I Group's coverage to California, Nevada, and Hawaii.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D Printers Additive manufacturing equipment for educational settings, including Stratasys PolyJet systems (F170, F370, J55) and Bambu Lab systems for classroom creativity and advanced prototyping.
• 3D Scanners 3D scanning equipment for capturing physical objects for reverse engineering, quality control, and educational applications.
• Laser Engravers Laser cutting and engraving systems including Universal Laser Systems VLS3.60ES for lab and makerspace environments with safety-focused design.
• CNC Machines Computer numerical control routers and mills including Tormach systems for precision cutting and machining in technical education.
• Printers, Cutters & Heat Presses Roland VersaSTUDIO BN2-30 printer/cutter and BD-12 UV flatbed printer for graphics production, product personalization, and classroom fabrication.
• Vacuum Forming Machines
• Engineering Software
• Robotics & Automation Robotics platforms including Infento Riders robotics and coding platform with modular STEM building kits for hands-on engineering education.
• Augmented Reality
• STEM Curriculum Online STEM and manufacturing curriculum including Tormach CNC curriculum on Canvas LMS platform for self-paced learning aligned with ISTE Standards.
• Fab Lab & Makerspace Design
• Professional Development & Training
• Certification
• Quality Control
• STEM & CTE Furniture
• Classroom Safety (Air Filtration & Fume Extractors)
• Educational Building Kits Infento modular STEM building kits for hands-on engineering, coding, and design challenges.
• Woodshop Machines
• Service & Maintenance

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pitsco Education: Pitsco Education sells STEM, CTE, robotics and fabrication equipment directly to K-12 and higher-education institutions, with bundled curriculum and PD. Closely comparable to Paton Group in product mix (3D printing, CNC, robotics kits), customer base (school CTE programs) and solution-based selling model.
• Paxton/Patterson: Paxton/Patterson provides STEM/CTE lab equipment, curriculum, and professional development to K-12 schools — direct overlap with Paton's project-based fabrication labs, maker education and CTE certification offerings.
• Midwest Technology Products: Midwest Technology Products is a STEM/CTE equipment distributor serving schools with fabrication, manufacturing, and engineering lab solutions. Direct peer to Paton Group in equipment categories (CNC, 3D printing, laser) and K-12/university customer profile.

Broad incumbents

• H2I Group: Paton Group's parent company. H2I is a 100-year-old ESOP-owned specialty distributor covering athletic, lab, architectural woodwork and STEM/technical education — overlapping with Paton's technical education portfolio but at much broader category and geographic scale.
• School Specialty: School Specialty is a large K-12 supplies and equipment distributor offering STEM, classroom and furniture solutions. Overlaps with Paton in school procurement channels, cooperative contracts and STEM product categories, though at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Carolina Biological Supply: Carolina Biological is a long-established distributor of science and STEM educational supplies, including equipment and curriculum for K-12 and higher ed. Comparable to Paton in targeting science/CTE departments via catalog and contract sales.
• CDW Education: CDW's education division is a major IT and technology reseller serving K-12 and higher ed. Overlaps with Paton in selling through cooperative purchasing contracts to schools, but skews to computing/AV rather than fabrication/CNC equipment.

Emerging players

• VEX Robotics: VEX Robotics designs and sells robotics platforms, kits, and competitions directly to schools. Directly comparable to Paton's Infento Riders and broader robotics/STEM offerings, though VEX sells its own branded hardware where Paton is a multi-OEM reseller.
• LEGO Education: LEGO Education sells branded STEM kits, robotics (SPIKE, Mindstorms) and curriculum to K-12 globally. Comparable to Paton's educational building kits and curriculum bundles, but with proprietary brand/kit economics rather than reseller model.

Others

• Stratasys: Stratasys is a key vendor of Paton Group (PolyJet F170/F370/J55, ToughONE material) rather than a direct competitor — included as an ecosystem participant whose channel strategy directly shapes Paton's economics and product roadmap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThePatonGroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Paton Group