Tradition, innovation and pioneering vision.

The business that began in 1961 with a modified wine press is still writing history today.    

For over 50 years Erich UTSCH AG has believed in forward-looking innovations, customer-focused service and a close connection with its employees – a strategy that has yielded continuing success. Here a few milestones in the company's history:

1961

The company is founded by Erich UTSCH and his wife Emmi. The first embossing machine for license plates is a modified wine press.

1965

Easy to operate, affordable and extremely well built: the first UTSCH mechanical embossing press is launched.

1975

The first Automatic Embossing Press is developed and constructed at UTSCH.

1982

Continual expansion prompts the company to move to its current location with state-of-the-art production equipment.

1985

UTSCH develops the ERUT 1, the first of a successful series of license plate frames.

1988

UTSCH confirms its position as a technology pioneer with the introduction of the environmentally friendly and extremely durable hot stamping technique for inking license plate type.

1991

First joint ventures in other European countries. The subsidiary company UTSCH Recycling is founded.

1995

UTSCH develops a wide range of security concepts. License plates become secure documents with the addition of national emblems, laser codes and holograms.

1998

UTSCH designs and builds what is still the world's largest and most modern automatic production facility for license  plates on behalf of the state mint in Foggia, Italy. License plates for the whole of Italy are centrally produced here.

2001

Erich UTSCH KG becomes Erich UTSCH AG.

2002

UTSCH develops the world's first electronic transponder labels, which supplement the traditional aluminium license plate. Exports exceed domestic sales for the first time.

2008

Between 2008 and 2009 UTSCH completes the three biggest orders in the company's history, worth over €30 million, in the Arab world.

2011

Continuing expansion makes it necessary to modernise and enlarge the UTSCH production facilities and offices.

2012

UTSCH presents the computer-controlled, network-enabled embossing press upress.

2014

UTSCH introduces cutting-edge digital printing technology, allowing it to produce custom-printed license plate frames.

2016

UTSCH launches the upresslight, an economical way for smaller embossing firms to introduce networked technology.

2016

Since October 2016, UTSCH is part of a Swedish-Australian family group of companies.

2018

An excellent market position makes it necessary to significantly increase production capacity at the Marienhütte facility. Millions are poured into new production facilities, infrastructure improvements and the digitization of the value chain.

2020

Erich Utsch AG joins forces with Hills Numberplates Ltd to form the world's largest group of companies in the vehicle registration plate market.