A look back at 2019 and the development of Vulkam
2019, a year of growth
In 2019, Vulkam again achieved a promising turnover and recruited 6 new employees to develop its technical team and support functions.
The year was also marked by the signing of new industrial partnerships, particularly in the medical sector with one of the leaders in dental implantology. In partnership with SIMaP, a metallurgy laboratory in Grenoble, and the industrialist, and as part of a research project, Vulkam is developing and testing a Vulkalloy® alloy specially adapted for medical use.
Reinforced roots in key markets
The miniature metal parts produced on the basis of Vulkalloys® using our micro-moulding process are much more efficient than conventional alloy parts (more info here). Thanks to the outstanding properties of the parts manufactured by Vulkam, we can offer a double breakthrough innovation to industrials in many sectors. Currently, those mainly targeted are the watchmaking, medical and aeronautics/defense/space industries.
Whereas in 2018, Vulkam strongly developed its activities for the watchmaking and space sectors, in 2019, we established ourselves in the medical sector.
Indeed, from March, Vulkam was promoted as an industrial partner by the Medicalps and Mont-blanc Industrie clusters. The start-up and its know-how are now part of the catalogue of subcontractors and suppliers in the medical sector in the Alpine furrow.
In addition, Vulkam has also strengthened its presence in the sector by participating in several large-scale professional events. Indeed, we were present for the first time at the Medfit exhibition in Lille at the end of June. This is a trade fair specialized in MedTechs where Vulkam presented the advantages of its amorphous alloys and its unique miniature casting process for medical devices and surgical tools.
Vulkam booth at MedFit 2019
Also for the first time this year, Vulkam visited Medica in Düsseldorf in November. This is the world’s largest trade fair for the medical sector. We were able to confirm the interest of several manufacturers in the sector in the new range of innovative metals with unrivalled properties developed by Vulkam (read the article here).
In parallel with these steps to develop its activities in the medical sector, the team has also worked to strengthen its presence in its other key markets.
Indeed, we were present at the EPHJ in May, the international high-precision exhibition and flagship event for major watchmakers (read the article here).
In addition, Vulkam has been selected to represent innovative companies from the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Region at the Vivatechnology exhibition in Paris in May. It was an opportunity to meet the most innovative companies on an international scale and to promote our breakthrough technology (come back to VivaTech 2019 with us here).
Finally, this year, we also had the opportunity to participate in the International Chronometry Congress in Montreux in September as speakers. Sébastien Gravier, president of Vulkam, presented the start-up and its innovative technology in front of numerous watchmaking specialists (Watch the video presentation here and our article here).
Efforts rewarded on several occasions
Finally, 2019 was also a year of awards for Vulkam.
Indeed, the start-up was first of all crowned best industrial innovation at the Innotrophées 2019 awards. This is a competition for SMEs organized by the Grenoble Chamber of Commerce and Industry, its Ecobiz network, and the Banque Populaire Auvergne-rhône-Alpes.
Bpifrance also trusted us to participate in the DeepTech tour launched in Grenoble in September 2019. Sébastien Gravier who represented Vulkam was chosen to testify on the challenges of creating a start-up resulting from research and to share his experience. It was also an opportunity to meet the Minister of Higher Education and Research, Mrs Vidal and to share recommendations to facilitate technology transfer in France.
And it is with the trophy of the start-up of the year, awarded by the magazine Présences de la CCI de Grenoble during the night of the economy on December 12, 2019, that Vulkam closed the year in beauty! To replay the award ceremony for Vulkam, click here.
In 2020, Vulkam takes the road to industrialization
This is a promising year for Vulkam.
In 2020, Vulkam accelerates the industrialization of its metallurgical solution of miniaturization in accordance with the important needs of the market. We continue the development phase of a pilot production line. This will enable us, by 2021, to have the capacity to mass produce miniature parts based on Vulkalloys®, adapted to the needs of our customers.
This increase in production rate is reflected in the development of a new generation of machines and thus a strengthening of our teams. At the same time, a major commercial effort will be implemented to develop Vulkam’s customer base. In order to achieve these objectives, 5 recruitments are planned during the first quarter, for technical and support functions.
We also plan to consolidate our presence in key sectors. The most important professional meetings are already booked, you will be able to meet us at :
- The EPHJ from 16 to 19 June 2020 in Geneva
- Micronora on 25 and 26 September 2020 in Besançon
- Medica-Compamed from 16 to 19 November 2020 in Düsseldorf under the IVAM marquee
Finally, in order to perpetuate this development, we also count on choice professional partners such as MedicAlps, with whom we are renewing our partnership, and IVAM, the international microtechnology network to which we have just joined for the year.
