Thomas Kohler has taken over the management of 1zu1 on June 1, 2023.
Founders Hannes Hämmerle and Wolfgang Humml hand over management of the company. Thomas Kohler (50) has taken over the management of the Dornbirn-based high-tech company 1zu1 on June 1, 2023. The long-standing sales manager succeeds the two founders Hannes Hämmerle and Wolfgang Humml, who are handing over the reins after 27 years.
With the internal solution, the Swedish Prototal Group as owner continues the long-term successful course of the company. 1zu1 is planning around ten percent growth for 2023 and has established itself in 3D printing, vacuum and injection molding throughout Europe as a series manufacturer for batch sizes of up to 100,000 units.
”1zu1 stands for state-of-the-art technologies, innovative spirit and appreciation. With the highest quality standards, we will continue to accompany our customers from prototype to series product in the future,” emphasizes Thomas Kohler.
The long-standing sales manager of the Dornbirn-based high-tech company has taken over the management from the two founders Hannes Hämmerle and Wolfgang Humml as of June 1, 2023. They say goodbye after 27 years together and are still available to 1zu1 until the end of the year in an advisory capacity. ”We are pleased about the optimal continuation of our life’s work. With Thomas and the management team, the company is in the best of hands,” says Humml happily. 1zu1 is ideally positioned in terms of technology, personnel and space to continue on its successful path as a pioneer,” says Hämmerle with conviction.
Ideal succession solution
With the internal change of management, owner Prototal guarantees a continuous transition and sustainable further development in the spirit of the founders.
”The know-how, consistency and high quality of 1zu1 are central building blocks for our path to becoming the market leader in Central and Northern Europe. Thomas Kohler, with his vast experience and the trust of customers, partners and employees, is the ideal choice at 1zu1,” emphasizes Jan Löfving, CEO of Prototal Group.
The Swedish group acquired the company, which was founded in 1996, in February 2022. Currently, the international Prototal network includes eleven companies specializing in 3D printing, vacuum and injection molding in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England, Italy and Austria.
Many years of experience
Thomas Kohler has been with 1zu1 for 23 years and, as Sales Manager, is responsible for the entire DACH region. As the new Managing Director, he wants to continue the company’s growth course. A ten percent increase in sales is planned for 2023. In doing so, the company is pushing series production for plastic parts in 3D printing, vacuum and injection molding, offering cost-efficient total solutions as a technological full-service provider and intensifying partnerships within the network. The multiple award-winning training company and award-winning employer relies above all on its own training of skilled workers. Around one third of the employees are former apprentices. ”Family values and a long-term perspective will continue to shape 1zu1 in the future. We retain our strengths, remain reliable partners and are open to new opportunities and challenges,” says Thomas Kohler.
Thomas Kohler took over the management of 1zu1 from Dornbirn on June 1, 2023.
Photos: Darko
About 1zu1
1zu1 Prototypen GmbH & Co KG, based in Dornbirn (Vorarlberg/Austria), produces prototypes, small series and series parts made of plastic. The high-tech company manufactures using 3D printing and vacuum casting, as well as injection molding with aluminum molds made in-house – in a clean room if required. A variety of surface and printing technologies round out the full-service provider’s offerings. Founded in 1996, the company has been part of the Swedish Prototal Group since 2022 and currently employs 160 people. Its customers include international medical and laboratory technology groups, well-known equipment and power tool manufacturers, and industrial goods producers.
