A Century of Innovation
Ivoclar celebrates a 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 more than 100 years.
Developing customer-focused solutions has always been a priority of the Ivoclar Group, and the company's head office in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is considered a center of innovation in the development of new dental products. "We will continue to sharpen our focus on our customers, our people, and our 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 the president of the North America business, Robert Ganley, Ivoclar revolutionized the dental industry with the invention of IPS Empress®, the world's first pressed ceramic system. That was followed eventually by the development of the legendary "blue blocks" called IPS e.max® CAD, which became the best-selling glass-ceramic in the world.
Over the years, Ivoclar also set numerous industry standards in the field of direct restorative dentistry. Tetric®, the trailblazing hybrid composite resin, streamlined the direct restorative treatment process. The Tetric line of products has grown consistently over time and now comprises four fully coordinated direct composite filling materials. In 2004, the company introduced OptraGate®, the world's first latex-free lip and cheek retractor, which was designed to help dental professionals save time and make the treatment process more comfortable for everyone involved. Additional state-of-the-art products within the "Direct Restoratives Workflow" considerably heighten the efficiency of the dental practice. For example, the Bluephase PowerCure unit is a high-performance polymerization device with a 3-second curing function and an integrated, intelligent curing assistant.
Under the direction of Ganley, who became CEO in 2003, as well as Christian Brutzer, who took over as president of the North America operation in 2019, and Chris Holden, who assumed that position this year, Ivoclar 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.
The Ivoclar Group is intent on maintaining its position as a pioneer and innovator in its specialized market. The company's R&D team continues to work at full speed to develop new products and solutions that will make the work of dentists and dental technicians as easy and efficient as possible so that they can fulfil their goals of giving their patients healthy and attractive smiles.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ivoclar
ivoclar.com
