Celebrating 30 years of innovation and excellence.
Over 15,000 Machines Placed Into Service Worldwide
1988
Entrepreneur Lloyd Everard and engineer Bill Wridge, team up to develop their original concept of a Computerized Mat Cutter (CMC). The first CMC is created and successfully deployed in Everard’s matboard company, U.S. Mat.
1994
Wizard International, Inc. is founded by Everard and Wridge to make CMCs available to independent retail framers. Wizard introduces the CMC Model 5000, and a CMC Rental Program revolutionizes the custom picture framing industry.
1997
The first CMC is introduced in Germany. Wizard places its one-thousandth CMC Model 5000 into service.
1998
The Wizard CMC Purchase Program is introduced for customers who wish to buy their equipment.
1999
Wizard’s early MatDesigner™ software is released, and the first CMC is introduced in Australia.
2002
Brian Wolf, CPF, GCF joins Wizard as an “Artistic Ambassador” and establishes Wizard’s educational programs for custom picture framers. Wizard celebrates the placement of its 3,000th CMC Model 5000 into service.
2003
The Wizard CMC Model 8000 has its debut, and Wizard of Europe is officially opened as a sister company in Ellenberg, Germany.
2004
Wizard places its 1,000th CMC Model 8000 into service.
2005
The Wizard CMC Model 8500 is introduced, and Wizard’s Integrated Framer® Visualization software is released.
2006
Wizard acquires the Eclipse™ CMC manufacturing company and offers customer support for Eclipse customers.
2007
The Wizard CMC Model 8500e is introduced, and the decorative Debossing Kit is released.
2008
The Wizard CMC Model 8500e SBT with SwitchBlade™ Technology is introduced. Integrated Framer® Retail Management software is released, as well as the CutArt™ Volume 1 library.
2010
The Wizard CMC Model 9000 is introduced, featuring added cartridges and design tools like the Pen Kit.
2014
The Wizard Pneumatic Material Cutter (PMC) is introduced, and later renamed the Wizard AirGlide™ air-powered multi-material cutter.
2015
Wizard’s releases its next generation custom mat design software suite: FrameShop™ Design, Visualize, and Cut.
2016
Wizard's limited edition production-optimized CMCs, the Eclipse and Eclipse Duo, are introduced with full vacuum table and high-volume cutting speeds.
2017
The Wizard 9000z CMC makes its debut, featuring new zero-waste SmartClamps™ clamping system designed to facilitate edge-to-edge cutting and eliminate waste created by traditional systems.
2018
Wizard introduces a revamped brand with a whole new look for the company and its entire product line. Wizard also launches a CMC maintenance & support coverage program called Premium Service Plans, offering three affordable subscription tiers: Basic, Essential and Ultimate.
2019
Wizard celebrates 25 years in business and over 10,000 CMCs placed into service by creating a one-of-a-kind “Silver Anniversary Special Edition” of the Wizard 9000z that was given away to a lucky customer during an anniversary party hosted at WCAF Expo in Las Vegas.
2020
Wizard University officially launches along with the introduction of the next generation cutter: the CMC Model Z1, which loses the signature chrome depth adjustment dial in favor of automated digital depth control plus auto-homing and our innovative collision detection & avoidance system.
