A Century of Innovation
Ivoclar celebrates milestone anniversary
This year, Ivoclar, one of the world's leading suppliers of premium-quality, integrated dental solutions, proudly looks back on 100 years of company history. The family business has had a fascinating past, shaped by innovation, continuous development, and growth. As a result of its innovative spirit, the company has flexibly responded to the ever-changing market conditions and new requirements of customers and patients. The products and solutions that have been developed have allowed dental experts throughout the world to accomplish their work successfully for over 100 years.
The head office of the Ivoclar Group in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is considered to be a center of innovation in the development of new dental products. Developing customer-focused solutions has always been a priority of the company. “We will continue to sharpen our focus on our customers, our people, and partners,” says CEO Markus Heinz, who took over for Diego Gabathuler in April.
The Ivoclar Group's history of innovation began in the late 1930s with the introduction and rise to popularity of the artificial teeth produced by the firm's predecessor, Ramco AG. The company continued to achieve numerous milestones in the development of new products, with the goal of ensuring the best possible treatment for all patients through passion, determination, meticulousness, and proficiency. Furthermore, the company was committed to identifying ways of heightening the efficiency of work processes and mapping out the individual steps of dentistry workflows.
In the early 1990s, under the leadership of President of the North America business Robert Ganley, Ivoclar revolutionized the dental industry with the invention of IPS Empress, the world's first press ceramic system. That was followed eventually by the development of the legendary "blue blocks" called IPS e.max CAD, the best-selling glass-ceramic in the world. Ivoclar also set numerous industry standards in the field of direct restorative dentistry with products such as Tetric, the trailblazing hybrid composite resin.
Under the direction of Ganley, who became CEO in 2003, as well as Christian Brutzer, who took over as President of the US operation in 2019, and Chris Holden, who assumed that position this year, Ivoclar also realized at an early stage that digitalization would play a major role in the future of dentistry. In 2020, the company introduced the Ivotion Denture System, which revolutionized the way in which removable dentures are fabricated. Furthermore, Ivoclar developed the PrograWorld product range to ensure a smooth digital workflow throughout the entire treatment process: from the VivaScan intraoral scanner to the PrograScan, PrograMill, Programat, and PrograPrint lines for digital fabrication of restorations in the laboratory.
The Ivoclar Group is intent on maintaining its position as a pioneer and innovator in its specialized market. As we speak, the company's R&D team is working at full speed to develop new products and solutions that will make the work of dental technicians and dentists as easy and efficient as possible so that they can fulfil their goal of giving their patients healthy and attractive smiles.
Through the Years
1923 The general partnership Ramsperger and Co. is founded in Switzerland
1937 4 years after taking up operations in Liechtenstein, The Ramco Individual Tooth becomes a top seller
1948 Dr Adolf Schneider takes over the reins of the company
1951 The company name is changed to Ivoclar
1952 SR 3/60 denture base material: The first extension of the product range to include a cross-linked resin
1953 Vivodent-C: The first porcelain tooth fired under vacuum
1976 Programat P1: The ceramic furnace lays the foundation for the market-leading Programat furnace platform
1989 IPS Classic: With the launch of the successor product to ITS metal-ceramic, the company evolves into a successful ceramics manufacturer.
1990 Christoph Zeller becomes CEO and Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
1991 IPS Empress System: The first press ceramic system worldwide revolutionizes the dental industry.
2001 Ivoclar and Vivadent merge under a new logo. Ivoclar Vivadent is created.
2005 IPS e.max System: The first range of all-ceramic products for all indications comprising lithium disilicate and zirconia materials
2017 PrograMill: Introduction of a digital workflow for fixed and removable prosthetics involving the PrograMill PM7, PM5 and PM3
2019 IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime: Zirconium oxide disc with gradual shade and translucency progression
2020 Ivotion: The world's first two-layer milling disc for the fabrication of complete dentures
2022 Ivoclar Vivadent becomes Ivoclar
