The HASCO story began in 1924, when the company’s founder, Hugo Hasenclever, made the first moulds for processing the still young material Bakelit in his cellar workshop in Lüdenscheid/Germany. Resourcefulness, consistency and his gut feeling led to the first change in the company’s business from wrought iron and brass artwork to toolmaking.
RICO, originally the abbreviation for Rubber Injection Company, was founded in 1994 by the three former owners as a toolmaking company in Wels. Space soon became too tight and the company relocated to Thalheim in 2001. The construction of the first production hall in 2008 laid the foundation for the strong growth that RICO has enjoyed in recent decades, after the business model was expanded to include the production of series parts made from liquid silicone. Another important expansion step was taken in 2018, when the fifth expansion added an additional production hall and a high-bay warehouse to the company. The team at the site grew to 210 dedicated employees, who continued to drive RICO’s success.
In 2023, the RICO Group was sold to the Semperit Group, a leading global provider of high-tech elastomer products and solutions. Together and based on the production capacities, the aim is to benefit from the strong growth in the market for liquid silicone products. Today, with 30 years of experience, RICO is celebrating not only another decade of success, but also a culture of consistency and innovation.
The official opening of the new building and the celebration of RICO’s 30th anniversary took place on Friday, April 12, 2024, in the presence of many guests of honor. Governor Thomas Stelzer: „It is impressive what RICO has achieved over the past 30 years. Not only as a leading manufacturer in toolmaking and silicone injection molding, but also as an employer. RICO is not only one of the largest employers in the region, but also very successful as an apprentice trainer. I would also like to congratulate them on this – thanks to companies like this, Upper Austria is and will remain a sought-after and very successful land of work, business and prosperity.“ Other well-wishers included Semperit CEO Karl Haider and CFO Helmut Sorger, the Mayor of Thalheim Andreas Stockinger and the RICO Group management with Thomas Aichberger and Wolfgang Neubauer as well as RICO Managing Director Markus Nuspl. The 30th anniversary and the opening of the new building were celebrated together with the employees and their families as well as numerous other guests.