Company in the fast lane
2021 - 2009
As of 2009, 1zu1 is in the fast lane. With the commissioning of the first series production line world-wide for the construction of laser-sintered parts in polyamide, state-of-the-art e-Drive injection molding equipment in the cleanroom, and many other technologies. In 2010, the extension is built as a further milestone in the company's history: with a vacuum casting hall, offices for the sales department and its own canteen. In its 20th year of business, 1zu1 employs a total of 150 people with annual sales of 16.4 million euros.
2017
- New corporate design: Prototypes becomes 1zu1
- 1zu1 takes over business of bankrupt company W&W Plastic GmbH
- 1zu1 is awarded “state-approved training company” status for its record on apprenticeship
- Once again awarded the “Salvus” health quality seal (silver) of the state of Vorarlberg for proactive measures on employee health
- Annual sales 18m euros
- 170 employees, including 30 apprentices
2016
- 20th anniversary of 1zu1 Prototypes
- Voted the best family business in Vorarlberg by the Austrian daily “Wirtschaftsblatt”.
- Annual sales 16.4m euros
- 150 employees, including 30 apprentices
2015
- Awarded the “Salvus” health quality seal (silver) of the state of Vorarlberg for proactive measures on employee health
- ISO 9001:2015 certification
- Addition of a new production facility (injection molding)
- Air conditioning installed throughout toolmaking and injection molding shops
- Launch of prototype and series production (rapid manufacturing) with ultra-modern eDrive injection molding systems in cleanroom environment
- Annual sales 15m euros
- 143 employees
2014
- Receipt of “Hans-Huber-Stiftung” prize awarded in Vorarlberg and Switzerland for the promotion of young professionals
- Expansion of business field Rapid Manufacturing to include fixture components
- Development of new special materials in polyurethane vacuum casting: 1zu1 materials offer better impact and flexural strength, are flame-retardant/self-extinguishing, guarantee heat resistance up to 150 or 200 °C or have a higher translucence thanks to a light-scattering additive
- Integration of a 2nd milling line in the computer-controlled 1zu1 milling center
- Modernization of apprentice workshop: investment in the latest technologies and equipment for training young professionals in-house
- Annual sales 13.8m euros
2013
- Annual sales 13.3m euros
- Co-development and production of complete hardware for the humanoid robot "Roboy” (a project of Zürich University's Center for Artificial Intelligence)
- Views and insights at the “1zu1 Technology Days” on the topics of metal casting, rapid tooling, master models, vacuum casting and metrology
- “Shaking hands with the future”: Customer Day in May 2013 with 250 participants
- Honing and testing: the new material polypropylene is introduced in the laser sintering facility
- 132 employees, including 26 apprentices
2012
- Winner of the “Trio of the Year” competition organized by the Trade & Crafts department of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and the business magazine Trend (1st place)
- 900 customers
- Annual sales 13m euros
- Pooling of all master model technologies in the ultra-modern, 700m2 RP2
- Opening of a showroom for prototypes and models
- Commissioning of a fully automatic CNC 5-axis milling machine with robot cell
- Expansion of Stereolithography portfolio with two systems and a 3D printer for high-precision, burn-out parts for metal casting (3D Systems)
- 120 employees, including 26 apprentices
- Expansion of training workshop: 2nd instructor (specializing in machining)
2011
- Winner of SME competition “Pillars of the Economy” organized by the Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce and the newspaper Vorarlberger Nachrichten (1st place)
- 850 customers
- Annual sales 12m euros
- 15th anniversary of company
- New service: optimization of quality assurance via GOM metrology
- Launch of production of food-grade prototypes (FDA certification)
- Expansion of laser sintering department to include three new production lines
- 100 employees, including 22 apprentices
2010
- Completion and occupation of the extension building: vacuum casting hall, offices for sales and canteen with 2,000 m2
- Expansion of production area to a total of 5,000 m2
- Annual sales 9.8m euros
- The upgraded inquiry and ordering tool “1zu1 Configurator” goes online
- “1,000 pieces from one mold”: revolutionary vacuum casting and molding technology allows the production of unlimited quantities of plastic parts from a single silicone mold (previously the limit ranged between 15 and 25 parts per mold depending on the material)
- Technological innovations on the market: laser sintering with rubber; transparent stereolithography parts
2009
- Annual sales 7.2m euros
- Installation of the latest 3D printing technology (Voxeljet 500) for high-precision lost models (for metal casting)
- Installation of 3rd and 4th Stereolithography line (3D systems)
- Launch of Selective laser sintering - glass-reinforced
- 64 employees