IREPA LASER becomes an SCIC
IREPA LASER, the leading player in laser technology in France, is reinventing itself and becoming a cooperative society of collective interest (SCIC).
On Wednesday 18 December 2019, the articles of association of the SCIC IREPA LASER were officially signed in the presence of institutional partners, represented in particular by Ms Lilla Merabet, Vice-President of the Grand Est Region. Also present were the 12 partner companies and the IREPA LASER employees who decided to support this new structure together.
Unique expertise in the region and in France in laser processes applied to materials
Founded in 1982 on the initiative of the University of Strasbourg and with funding from the Alsace Regional Council, IREPA LASER is an industrial research and development company specialising in laser processes and materials. Today it is a leading French platform whose influence extends far beyond our borders, particularly thanks to its strong involvement in research and development programmes supported by the European Commission.
A new status to meet a fast-growing laser market
To meet growing demand for laser systems for materials processing, IREPA LASER has chosen SCIC status. This new legal structure will enable it to achieve its ambitions: strengthening industrial partnerships, offering industrial companies concrete turnkey solutions within ever shorter lead times, reducing time-to-market for its innovations, boosting development opportunities through innovation and strengthening its R&D.
An innovative status to bring stakeholders together and foster new solutions
The SCIC makes it possible for different stakeholders to work together: employees, customers, suppliers and institutions. This shared governance model is intended to bring forth new and innovative solutions. As Jean-Paul Gaufillet, President of IREPA LASER, puts it: « For us, the SCIC means the innovation of women and men serving technological innovation. It is a way of bringing together SMEs and mid-sized companies seeking innovation for improved economic performance, thanks to our expertise and our successes. Our ambition: an approach based on co-creation and risk-sharing, but also and above all on sharing successes for the benefit of the collective. »
Continuing to create success stories and pursuing its mission of collective interest
The SCIC IREPA LASER will remain a place where technological innovations become reality, bringing them as close as possible to the market, in particular through the creation of industrial prototypes, start-ups and spin-offs. Among these successes are the creation of Laser Alsace Production (LAP) in 1988, for subcontracting in laser cutting, and of BeAM in 2012, today one of Europe’s leaders in metal 3D printing with an international reach.
>> Find out more about IREPA LASER
IREPA LASER develops innovative laser manufacturing solutions for industry and supports their operational implementation in the field. Its offering covers the aerospace, automotive, energy, capital goods and defence markets. IREPA LASER serves industry across 4 areas of expertise in laser processes: additive manufacturing or 3D printing, welding, surface functionalisation and safety in the use of industrial lasers. A strong link with research, notably through the Institut Carnot MICA, of which IREPA LASER is a founding member, keeps the engineering team at the cutting edge. Also a laser training centre, IREPA LASER trains industrial companies in the use of laser technologies and in laser safety. A recognised expert for more than 30 years, IREPA LASER has built a network of partners with the best specialists in research and innovation related to laser technology: professional organisations, engineering schools and specialist companies.
IREPA LASER in figures:
– 45 employees
– Turnover = €3.5M
– 120 industrial R&D contracts/year
– 14,000 trainee training hours/year
– 10 patents in the portfolio
The members of the SCIC IREPA LASER
– 28 employees
– 13 industrial companies: service providers, technology providers and end users
