Behind the scenes at DWS: a closer look at the Engraving, Integration and Industrialisation professions

Entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds

Samuel Desprez and I met on the benches of HEC — not as students, but as leaders of innovative companies. About ten years earlier, Samuel had founded G.D. Laser, specialised in laser engraving and decorative laser applications for the perfumery and cosmetics sectors, as well as for packaging manufacturers working with glass, cardboard, foam, plastic, leather, and more.

As for me, after completing my PhD, I co‑founded SourceLAB, a pioneer in laser–plasma particle accelerators — essentially a way to revolutionise research and countless applications by replacing massive synchrotrons with tabletop particle accelerators that are 100 to 1,000 times less expensive. In terms of the laser technologies we worked with, Samuel and I were at opposite ends of the spectrum (some will catch the pun :)).

A Passion for High Technology and Luxury

The laser is a remarkable tool, but how can we make it accessible to everyone — all the way to the point of sale, to to offer each person a unique experienceThe pleasure of engraving your emotions onto your favourite product? It was from this challenge that our collaboration was born. Samuel had the talent and the confidence of the brands, while I brought the international experience and project engineering to launch the venture.

DWS was born from this shared desire to create a high‑end personalisation offering through laser engraving in the service of major brands the luxury industry.

— By Aurélien RICCI, Founder & CEO of DWS