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Looking back in 1977, there was not one single independent laboratory in the french speaking part of Switzerland providing services and expertise in the fields of electroplating and metallography. Recognising the need of local companies to be assisted and trained, Henri Dubois founded his own lab with a staff of 3 peoples.
One year later, the headcount already reached 10 persons. Industrial chemistry as well as corrosion and wear tests were added as new activities ; it was the start of the quality control.
In 1980, the company aquired a building to accomodate the expansion of the business and moved into the current location. With a staff of 14 persons, the activities of the chemical section expanded to environmental control.
An important turnaround occurs in 1985 within the watchmaking industry. The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry « FH » decided to divest from the watch reliability tests (CCF). Fully aware of the perfect synergy with his company, Henri Dubois took over these activities, leading to a new legal entity « Laboratoire Dubois CCF SA ». From there on, the company was able to provide an entire new set of performance tests on watches, such as control of watch movements, impact, waterproof test, and so on.
The ratio of services directed to the watchmaking industry further developped in 1992 when the Technical Control of Watches (CTM) was aquired from a government office who stop such activities. This new situation led to the creation one year later of a new legal entity, fully dedicated to the watches control activities ; « Chronofiable SA », with premises in the same building.
At that time the first company consisted in 3 sections : Control of materials, Technical assistance and Chemistry. A tribology section will be added later.
In 1989, on request of many french companies on the other side of the border, « Labo Dubois France » sister company was opened at Damprichard, Doubs. Five years later, their new building was inaugurated and the staff of 4 persons providing services in synergy with the main company.
In 1995, the company became the first independent testing laboratory in Switzerland to receive an accreditation according to ISO 17025 standard for the material testing activities.
In 2003, guided by customers interests and willingness to simplify the activities, « Chronofiable SA » was integrated into the legal entity « Laboratoire Dubois SA » as a specific section dealing with the watch tests and controls.
Today, with more than 30 years of experience and a staff of 30 engineers and technicians, the « Laboratoire Dubois SA » reached a recognized status as reference laboratory for many industrial markets in Switzerland and abroad.
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