What Sunshine Coast Maker Space does

Sunshine Coast Maker Space (MKRS) is a contract manufacturing and external R&D partner based in Warana, Queensland, Australia, operating since July 2017. The company provides CNC machining (vertical CNC milling with 4th axis capabilities, CNC turning on a Haas SL20 lathe and SMEC MCV 4300 milling machine), 3D printing and scanning, laser cutting, welding, fabrication, and injection moulding services targeted at small batches, prototypes, and one-off products. It explicitly positions itself as a "contract R&D department for hire" that integrates design and prototype manufacturing to serve clients who lack access to their own workshop facilities.

The company's product portfolio is anchored by the Precious Plastics V4 line of plastic recycling equipment — injection machines, shredders (including an education-safe variant with deadman controls and reach-in prevention), extruders, and sheet presses — alongside niche manufactured goods such as automotive repair tools (BMW M52 re-threading kit, gear stick thread inserts), hardware components (multi-function T-slot nuts, stainless louvre shoot bolts), custom vacuum forming moulds, and a 4G-connected outdoor digital display screen used in public infrastructure. Over AUD $150,000 has been invested into workshop equipment since founding.

Sunshine Coast Maker Space monetises through three channels: (1) professional services revenue from custom manufacturing jobs billed per project via SmartSheet quote forms; (2) one-time product sales through an e-commerce storefront with listed unit prices ranging from AUD $22 for small components to AUD $17,710 for a Precious Plastics V4 Sheet Press; and (3) managed services revenue from startup incubator workspace and meeting/boardroom rental accommodating up to 25 people. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct, targeting local entrepreneurs, startups, manufacturers, educational institutions, and government clients across the Sunshine Coast region and selectively interstate.

Name

Sunshine Coast Maker Space

Legal name

Sunshine Coast Maker Space

Website

https://scmakerspace.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sunshine Coast Maker Space operates as an external R&D department and production partner for the Sunshine Coast region, offering CNC machining, fabrication, 3D printing, and contract manufacturing services alongside a Precious Plastics recycling equipment product line.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310), Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (33221)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts) (IMAAADAL)

Keywords

• CNC machining services
• Contract manufacturing
• 3D printing services
• Plastic recycling equipment
• Product prototyping

Headquarters

HQ city

Gold Coast

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of manufactured products including plastic recycling equipment (shredders, extruders, sheet presses), automotive parts, hardware components. One-time purchase transactions.
2. Contract Manufacturing Services: CNC machining, fabrication, welding services for one-off products or small batches. Revenue from custom manufacturing projects charged per job.
3. 3D Printing and Prototyping Services: Charging for 3D printing, scanning, reverse engineering, and product development services
4. Startup Incubator Rental: Providing workspace and facilities to startups in exchange for rental fees. Previous graduate Boundless successfully scaled and moved out.
5. Meeting Space and Boardroom Rental: Flexible meeting space available for groups up to 25, smaller private boardroom with facilities. Contact for pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sunshine Coast Maker Space functions as an external R&D department and contract production partner, providing CNC machining, CNC turning, fabrication, 3D printing, laser cutting, welding, and product development services for prototypes and small batches. The company also designs, manufactures, and sells its own line of physical products, notably the Precious Plastics V4 plastic recycling equipment (shredders, extruders, sheet presses, injection machine) and a portfolio of automotive, hardware, and custom display products.

Product overview

Sunshine Coast Maker Space operates as an external R&D department and production partner offering contract manufacturing services alongside a portfolio of manufactured products. Their product portfolio centers on the Precious Plastics V4 product line for plastic recycling (including shredders, extruders, and sheet presses in both standard and education versions), complemented by automotive tools (BMW re-threading kit, gear stick thread inserts), hardware components (T-slot nuts, louvre screen bolts), custom vacuum forming moulds, and outdoor digital display screens. The company also offers extensive contract manufacturing services including CNC machining, CNC turning, fabrication, 3D printing, 3D scanning, laser cutting, mechanical/industrial design, and product development services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNC Machining Services
• CNC Turning Services
• Fabrication Services
• 3D Printing and Scanning Services
• Startup Incubator Workspace
• Meeting Space and Boardroom Rental
• Precious Plastics V2 Injection Machine
• Education Version Plastic Shredder
• Precious Plastics V4 Extruder
• Precious Plastics V4 Sheet Press
• Precious Plastic V4 Shredder
• Outdoor Display Screen
• Multi Function Pole T Slot Nut
• Gear Stick Thread Insert - M15x1.5
• BMW Re-Threading Kit - M52 6 Cyl.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivered 1,100+ custom machined parts within tight deadline for Evolution Early Learning Mooloolaba day care centre
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Collaboration with USC and USC Innovation Centre gave confidence to open the Maker Space. USC careers presentations to 1st year engineering students. Partnership provides access to academic resources and student talent pipeline.
• USC Innovation CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with USC Innovation Centre supported establishment of the Maker Space. Co-sponsorship with Chancellor State College Innovation Centre of Robotics Team.
• Sunshine Coast CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunshine Coast Council partnership included delivering custom outdoor digital display for $5M Mooloolaba cycleway project. Council believed in Maker Space to deliver solution where other companies could not meet deadline.
• BoundlessminorOthersPrevious startup graduate that successfully scaled up and moved out of the incubator. Maker Space provided workspace, facilities and mentorship during growth phase.
• Chancellor State CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollab Sponsorship with Innovation Centre of Robotics Team. Community engagement partnership supporting STEM education.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Stratasys: Global leader in 3D printing hardware, materials, and on-demand manufacturing services. Comparable as a much larger incumbent in 3D printing services and contract manufacturing for industrial customers.
• Carbon (Carbon3D): US-based industrial 3D printing company with proprietary Digital Light Synthesis technology serving automotive, dental, and consumer goods customers. Broad incumbent in professional 3D printing services with much larger scale and product breadth.
• Protolabs: Global digital manufacturing platform offering CNC machining, 3D printing, injection moulding, and sheet metal fabrication on-demand. Comparable as an established contract-manufacturing service bureau targeting rapid prototyping and low-volume production — the same niche Sunshine Coast Maker Space occupies at a regional scale.

Direct peers

• Forge Labs: Brisbane-based community maker space offering workshop, equipment, and prototyping access to startups and small businesses. Comparable as a Queensland maker space serving inventors, startups, and small businesses with shared workshop equipment and incubation support.
• Hatch (Innovation Hub): Australian innovation hub and startup accelerator offering workspace, mentorship, and prototyping access. Comparable in serving as a regional startup-incubation facility with associated prototyping equipment and university/council relationships.
• Objective3D: Australian 3D printing service bureau offering professional-grade additive manufacturing, scanning, and prototyping services. Direct peer in 3D printing services targeting Australian industrial, engineering, and education customers with similar contract-manufacturing dynamics.
• Atlas 3D Printing: Australian 3D printing service bureau providing prototyping and small-batch production services. Comparable in offering on-demand 3D printing and scanning services to Australian engineers, designers, and businesses.
• Sevaan Group: Australian precision CNC machining and fabrication shop serving industrial customers. Direct peer in contract CNC and fabrication services targeting Australian manufacturers and engineering firms.

Others

• Precious Plastics: Global open-source community and brand whose V4 machinery designs Sunshine Coast Maker Space builds and sells. Peer comparable as the ecosystem in which the company's core product line sits, with shared machinery designs, customer base, and mission.

Regional players

• HMR Engineering: Australian precision engineering and CNC machining firm. Comparable as an Australian contract manufacturing peer offering precision machining, fabrication, and engineering services to industrial customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sunshine-coast-maker-space

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 Sunshine Coast Maker Space