A century of innovation: 100 years of Ivoclar

Since its foundation, Ivoclar has become one of the world's leading companies in the dental industry, consistently bringing customer-focused innova-tions to the market. The year 2023 marks the dental company's 100-year anniversary, which is being celebrated under the theme "A Century of Innovation".

Ivoclar was founded in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1923. The company relocated to the Principality of Liechtenstein in 1933, where it established its present-day headquarters. Over the years, the former tooth factory evolved into a leading manufacturer of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications.

The family-owned business advanced to become a global market leader in various product segments, for example, ceramic furnaces (Programat series), by supplying a comprehensive portfolio of products and systems specially designed for dental practices and laboratories. The introduction of one of the most popular products of Ivoclar's recent history - the highly aesthetic IPS e.max lithium disilicate glass-ceramic - ushered in the "Esthetic Revolution" in 2005. The product went on to become a global market leader in its segment. Ivoclar also made a name for itself in the manufacture of highly aesthetic tooth replacements, which was the main business when the company was founded and therefore links the company's origins to its 2023 centenary.

100 years of innovation

One hundred years of Ivoclar are associated with numerous world-class innovations, which have significantly influenced the dental industry over the years. Ivoclar maintains one of the industry's largest and most respected research and develop-ment centres. Therefore, it is not surprising that the company has chosen "A Century of Innovation" as its jubilee theme to highlight its innovative spirit. When asked about Ivoclar's company philosophy, Diego Gabathuler, outgoing CEO of the Ivoclar Group, explained it in the following words: "We build our success on customer-relevant innovations paired with integrated system solutions, efficient applications, excellent quality and constant reliability as well as trust and respectful cooperation." Furthermore, he added: "We focus on giving people a healthy and beautiful smile, resulting in a better quality of life.

For this purpose, we supply our products to around 130 countries. We employ roughly 3500 people worldwide, who continuously strive to optimise the company's offerings of integrated solutions that feature intelligent systems, practice-oriented training and education as well as comprehensive after-sales support and customer-centric service."

In 2021, the Group, which has more than 47 subsidiaries and branch offices throughout the world, including production facilities in Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden, the US and the Philippines, achieved a record increase in turnover of 842 million Swiss francs in all of its markets. An additional growth in turnover has been achieved for the 2022 business year. "The 100th birthday of the Ivoclar Group takes place in dynamic times. Nevertheless, I am certain that the company will continue to be successful in the future", says Helmut Schuster, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Ivoclar Group. "Why am I so confident? Because the corporate values of respect, smile, focus, act and grow are deeply rooted within the company and they are upheld by the employees and managers of the company and above all by Christina and Christoph Zeller and the next generation of the entrepreneurial family".

Highlights of the anniversary year

The dental company maintains long-standing and trusting business partnerships with suppliers, customers and universities throughout the world, who - including the employees of the family-owned business - are all on a mission of "Making People Smile". In the 2023 jubilee year, they can look forward to a series of special activities and events, such as trade fairs and further education and training courses as well as the inauguration of the new head office building at the company headquarters in Liechtenstein, which will also house the visitor and education centre. All these activities and events will highlight a century of innovation.

More information at www.ivoclar.com/100years.