Foundation & rapid growth
2008 - 1996
The first 12 years after the founding of 1zu1 in 1996 are characterized by rapid growth and steady expansion of the range of services: from vacuum casting to metal casting and milled prototypes to injection molding and 3D printing. With the Fused Deposition Modeling facility and other technologies, 1zu1 is several times a pioneer in the region and Europe. In 2006, 1zu1 has 63 employees and achieves an annual turnover of 7 million euros.
2008
- Annual sales 7m euros
- Acquisition of a second EOS-Formiga laser sintering line for small parts
- New blasting technology in laser sintering for even better cleaning of parts
- Further expansion of training workshop, 6 new apprentices begin their training in the fall
- 63 employees, including 15 apprentices
2007
- 11th anniversary of the company (Insider Day for customers incl. backstage tour at Bregenz Festival)
- Annual sales 6.9m euros
- Commissioning of a vacuum casting system for large parts
- First service provider in A, D, FL or CH to have a large 3D-Systems SLA-Viper PRO stereolithography line and a stereolithography line 3D systems SLA-Viper Si2 with high-resolution mode
- Commissioning of the first series production line world-wide for the construction of laser-sintered parts in polyamide (EOS P100 Formiga)
- FDM-Elite: first production line in Europe for small, precision ABS parts
- 51 employees
2006
- Occupation of new administrative building occupying 420m2
- 500 customers
- Annual sales 5.9m euros
- 10 years
- Commissioning of the first OBJET Eden 350V in Europe with 0.016 mm layer thickness
- Acquisition of first injection molding machine
- Launch of new Rapid Tooling department
- 48 employees
2005
- Annual sales 4.8m euros
- Addition of two new employees to the sales team (total of six employees)
- Opening of training workshop with instructors (total of 8 apprentices)
- 38 employees
2004
- Annual sales 4.3m euros
- Installation of two Invision Si2 3D printers (3D-Systems) for direct printing of lost patterns (wax castings for metal process)
- Installation of a thermal exhaust post-combustion system in the area of metal casting
- 32 employees
2003
- Annual sales 3.5m euros
- Installation of a new master model technology: SLS - Selective Laser Sintering (EOS P380)
- Production of prototype models in polyamide and polystyrene
- Expansion of production area to a total of 2,000 m2
- RIM - Reaction Injection Molding: low-pressure injection in silicone molds under vacuum
- Installation of “Configurator”
- 24 employees
2002
- Name change and redesign of corporate identity: 1zu1 Prototypen GmbH & Co KG
- Sales 3m euros
- Production of first magnesium prototypes
2001
- Occupation of new 420m² production facility for
- 5th anniversary of company
- “1st Customer Day”
- Annual sales 3m euros
- Installation of a new master model technology: FDM - Fused Deposition Modelling (Stratasys FDM Maxum), first production line in Austria and Switzerland
- 17 employees
2000
- Annual sales 2.6m euros
- Introduction of production process "Milled Prototypes" with 5-axis milling
- Installation of an automatic warehouse for prototypes and molds
- Award “Best apprentice of a Vorarlberg plastics processor”
- 15 employees
1999
- Service to the industry and corporate success rewarded with the “Vorarlberg Business Oscar” (best company up to a workforce of 50)
- Annual sales 1.8m euros
- First sales representative
- Total of 8 employees
1998
- Sales 1.4m euros
- Expansion of portfolio to include rapid prototyping, metal prototyping and metal casting
- Commencement of apprentice training (plastics processor)
- 6 employees
1997
- Annual sales 900,000 euros
- Installation of administration software “Intersoft”
- First trade fair appearance at Fakuma, Friedrichshafen (D).
- 4 employees
1996
- Company founded by Hannes Hämmerle and Wolfgang Humml. Initial workforce consists of two toolmakers.
- Services offered: vacuum casting of plastic parts and Consulting
- Annual sales 300,000 euros