Our history

PRIMA - Progress In Manufacturing Automation - always alongside our customers, supporting them with efficient production automation solutions

We have been supporting companies for over 40 years by designing and building machines that produce the components of their products. Our history mirrors our projects and is marked by several  important milestones and our constant commitment to excellence.

Growth and innovation since 1977

1977-1979: DEBUT AS A DESIGN COMPANY

  • Founded under the name PRIMA PROGETTI
  • Foundation of PRIMA ELECTRONICS
  • Development of a wide range of high-tech products
  • First laser machine in 1979 (ZAC)

1980-1989: GROWTH TO INDUSTRIAL DIMENSIONS

  • Leadership in 3D Laser Robot Industry (OPTIMO)
  • Development of industrial electronics and software
  • Leadership in measuring robots
  • Development in the field of industrial robots

1990-1995: FOCUS ON LASER

  • Growth of the 3D product range (RAPIDO)
  • Sale of non-core activities (measuring robots to Elsag/Finmeccanica; industrial robots to ABB)
  • Entry into the 2D laser machine market through the acquisition of Swiss company LASERWORK AG
  • Prima US is founded

1996-1999: STRONG GROWTH AND ISO

  • ISO 9001 certification
  • Launch of a new 2D product (PLATINUM)
  • R&D investment program to expand the product range (New OPTIMO, DOMINO, MAXIMO and MOSAICO, CP series laser, New RAPIDO)
  • Signing of the first joint venture in China: SHENYANG PRIMA LASER MACHINE COMPANY, Ltd. is established.
  • Listing on Nuovo Mercato of the Italian Stock Exchange (currently STAR segment)

2000-2006: UNCONTESTED LEADERSHIP

  • Acquisition of the US company Convergent Energy: CONVERGENT PRIMA, Inc. is created (now Prima Industrie North America Inc.)
  • Acquisition of Laserdyne division from GSI Lumonics: LASERDYNE PRIMA, Inc. is established. (now Prima Power Laserdyne Llc.)
  • Signing of the joint venture in Japan: SNK PRIMA, Ltd. is established.
  • Signing of the second joint venture in China: SHANGHAI UNITY PRIMA is founded
  • Launch of SYNCRONO and RAPIDO EVOLUTION, the most innovative machines worldwide for their categories: international awards affirm this leadership
  • Signing of the third joint venture in China: WUHAN OVL is created

2007-2011: TOWARDS NEW HORIZONS. TOGETHER.

  • PRIMA ELECTRONICS acquires OSAI and doubles its size
  • Acquisition of FINN-POWER: the PRIMA Group is third in the world for laser machines and sheet metal working
  • DOMINO EVOLUTION and OPTIMO-Vivida are released on the market
  • Integration of PRIMA INDUSTRIE and FINN-POWER marketing, sales and assistance: the global branches become "Prima Finn-Power”
  • ZAPHIRO and E5x debut worldwide at EMO 2009: innovation continues for the PRIMA Group despite the global economic crisis
  • At Euroblech 2010 the “Green Means” concept is launched, aimed at sustainable production by Prima Industrie and Finn-Power

March 2011: THE GREAT CHANGE

  • New image for the Prima Industrie Group
  • The Machinery division becomes Prima Power, an amalgamation of the Prima Industrie and Finn-Power names
  • The Components division becomes Prima Electro

2012-2016 - STRONG INVESTMENTS AND RENEWAL OF PRODUCTS AND HQ

  • New eP press brake series launched
  • New 3D Laser Next platform launched
  • Inauguration of Prima Power Suzhou, the new factory and Tech Centre in China 
  • New series of products launched: LPBB line, Laser Genius, Punch Genius, Combi Genius
  • Opening of the Prima Electro Diode Fab in Turin
  • Inauguration of the new HQTC (Headquarters and Technology Centre) in Collegno
  • BCe Smart panel bender and the new Prima fibre lasers launched

2018-2022 - EVOLVING IS IN OUR NATURE

  • The new Prima Additive brand is born, specialising in solutions for the additive manufacturing of metals
  • Inauguration of the new Tech Centre in Neufahrn (Munich)
  • New Additive products launched: Print Sharp 250, Laserdyne 430 and 795 DED
  • 2D Laser Sharp machine launched
  • Inauguration of the new factory and Tech Centre in Seinäjoki, Finland
  • Inauguration of the new Advanced Laser Centre in Collegno
  • New products created: Combi Sharp, Punch Sharp, eP Genius 1030, Print Genius 250 and the hP series press brakes (Gasparini)
  • Inauguration of the new Prima Power Laserdyne facility in Minneapolis
  • Print 150 series launched: Sharp, Genius and Green
  • Prima@Home is born, the new Prima Industrie streaming platform

2023 

  • Delisting of the Company's shares from the Milan Stock Exchange

Do you want more specific information? We’ll reach to you as soon as we can