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| Company type | Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien withAktiengesellschaft aspartner with unlimited liability |
|---|---|
| FWB: DRW3 | |
| Industry | Engineering,medical technology, security technology |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Founder | J. Heinrich Dräger Carl Adolf Gerling |
| Headquarters | Lübeck,Germany |
Key people | |
| Services | Diving equipment,rebreathers,SCBA,medical ventilators andmonitors,anaesthetic machines,neonatal incubators,gas detectors,breathalyzers,drug testing equipment |
| Revenue |  €3.37 billion(2024)[3] |
 €124.8 million(2024)[3] | |
| Total assets | €3.09 billion(2024)[3] |
| Total equity | €1.54 billion(2024)[3] |
Number of employees | 16,598(2024)[3] |
| Website | www.draeger.com |
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, commonly known asDräger, is a publicly listed company based inLübeck,Germany.[4] It develops, manufactures, and sells devices and systems in the fields of medical and safety technology.[5]
Rescue workers in the North American mining industry are often referred to as aDrägerman due to Dräger’s respiratory protection equipment.[6]
The company was founded in Lübeck in 1889[7] asDräger & Gerling byJ. Heinrich Dräger [de] and Carl Adolf Gerling.[4] In the same year, theLubeca valve, a pressure reducer, was patented. In 1899, Dräger introduced a pressure gauge for breathing gas cylinders, which is still referred to today as a finimeter.[8] In 1902, Dräger developed the Roth-Dräger anaesthesia apparatus, named after Lübeck doctor Otto Roth, which was used in Germany until the end ofWorld War II.[9] Early developments also included theDräger BG 1904/09, a helmet breathing device used in mines rescue operations.[10]
In 1907, Dräger developed a diving rescue device for submarine crews and the emergency ventilator Pulmotor,[11] and the company opened its first branch in the United States in the same year.[8] In 1912, Heinrich Dräger's son,Bernhard Dräger, became the sole owner of the company. From this point on, the company was known asDrägerwerk Heinr. und Bernh. Dräger (also:Drägerwerk Lübeck. Heinr. & Bernh. Dräger).[8]
In 1937, Dräger developed the first so-called Dräger tube, a test tube for the early measurement of carbon monoxide in the air. This system improved safety in mining by replacing the traditional use of canaries, which had previously served as early warning indicators due to their sensitivity to even small amounts of toxic gases.[12]
During theThird Reich, forced labourers were employed at Dräger. In 1941, approximately 1,200 forced labourers were employed.[8] In June 1944, nearly 500 women were transported from theRavensbrück concentration camp to Dräger’s facilities inHamburg-Wandsbek for forced labour. Until April 1945, they lived in the Hamburg-Wandsbek subcamp of theNeuengamme concentration camp in barracks on the factory grounds. They were employed in the production of gas masks and in clearing debris after bombings in Hamburg. Some of the prisoners were subjected to human experiments on survival in gas-tight air-raid shelters. Approximately 550 women were liberated in May 1945 by British soldiers and theSwedish Red Cross.[13][14]
In 2010, a memorial site was opened next to the former Hamburg-Wandsbek camp, and a memorial was erected for the forced labourers.[13] In 2022, theInitiative Stolpersteine placed fiveStolpersteine in front of Dräger in Lübeck. Dräger sponsored these memorial stones, which are dedicated to five executed forced labourers and the camp inhabitants of former factories in Siems, Herrenwyk, Schlutup, and other businesses that employed forced labour during the Nazi period.[15]
In 1953, Dräger introduced the first alcohol test tubes, which were continuously improved and later adopted worldwide by police forces and companies. In 1998, results from measurements taken by officially approved devices became valid in court.[16][17] In total, more than 30 million test tubes were produced before being replaced by electronic measuring devices, with production ending in 2016.[18]
In 1970, Dräger became apublic limited company, and itsinitial public offering (IPO) followed in 1979. In 1984, Heinrich Dräger's son, Christian Dräger, succeeded him asCEO after having worked at Dräger since 1961.[8] In 2003, the aerospace division was sold toCobham plc.,[19] and in 2004, Dräger acquired Air-Shields.[20]
In the 1990s, Dräger developed an alcohol interlock device that could be installed in vehicles. These devices are linked to the vehicle’s ignition system and can only be started after a breath sample is provided. If alcohol is detected in the breath, the vehicle will not start. The interlock devices are primarily used inAustralia,France, and the Scandinavian countries. In the following years, Dräger developed additional interlock devices.[16]
In July 2005, Stefan Dräger became CEO of the company, representing the fifth generation in the role.[21] In 2010, the company’s common shares were traded on theFrankfurt Stock Exchange for the first time. Previously, only non-voting preferred shares had been offered.[22]
In the following years, Dräger acquired several start-ups. In 2015, Dräger acquired the Norwegian start-up Gassecure, which manufactures gas sensors for hydrocarbons, among other applications. The acquisition expanded the safety technology division, particularly to serve the oil, gas, and chemical industries.[23] In 2017, Dräger took a majority stake in the Hamburg-based company Bentekk GmbH, which is active in the development of industrial gas detection devices.[24]
Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, demand for Dräger's ventilators increased significantly.[25] In February 2020, the production capacity was doubled and was set to be doubled again by March 2020. The German federal government commissioned 10,000 devices, which were scheduled for delivery throughout 2020.[26] Ultimately, only 1,557 devices were delivered, while the remaining orders were canceled. A significant portion of the production was sold abroad. Additionally, the production of respiratory masks was doubled.[27] According to an article inThe New York Times,Xavier Becerra (who was selected by then-President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. as his nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the US), stated that he planned to order approximately 1 million medical ventilators to manage the COVID-19 epidemic upon taking office. In this statement, he named Dräger as one of the potential suppliers.[28]
In 2020, revenue increased by 22.5% to €3.4 billion. By the end of 2021, demand for COVID-19-related products declined, and production of Dräger’s COVID-19 home tests was discontinued.[29]
In 2022, an increase in disruptions to the supply chain led to a temporary decline in Dräger's revenue.[21] In 2023, the supply chains stabilised, and with growing demand from China, revenue began to rise again.[30]
Following theRussian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions, Dräger ceased its safety technology business in Russia.[31] In October 2024, Rems Messtechnik GmbH & Co KG acquired Dräger MSI GmbH, which had been responsible for measurement technology within Dräger.[32]
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA acts as the holding company of the Dräger Group. Dräger products are sold in over 190 countries across all continents, and the company operates its own sales and service subsidiaries in approximately 50 countries. Additionally, Dräger has a total of 20 development and manufacturing sites. The company's headquarters is located in Lübeck.[3][33] In 2024, Dräger invested approximately €333.1 million in research and development.[3]
Drägerwerk was apublic limited company (AG) until 2007, after which it became alimited partnership with shares (AG & Co. KGaA).[34] As of 2025, 71.62% of the common shares are held by the Dräger family, mainly through theDr. Heinrich Dräger GmbH.[35][22]
The family has been continuously involved in the company's leadership through the positions of CEO and Chairman of the Supervisory Board:
In its medical technology division, Dräger develops and manufactures systems, devices, and services that work together inacute care medicine. Before merging with the parent company in 2015, the medical technology division operated independently under the namesDräger Medical AG & Co. KG and later asDräger Medical GmbH. Since 2003, Drägerwerk AG held a joint venture in medical technology withSiemens AG, in which Dräger held a 75% stake and Siemens 25%.[36] In 2009, Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA repurchased Siemens AG’s 25% minority stake.[37] In 2024, the division generated revenue of €1.9 billion.[3]
Dräger’s medical technology products includeanaesthesia workstations, ventilators forintensive andemergency care, patient monitoring systems, and equipment for neonatal and preterm infant care inperinatal medicine. In 1975, Dräger introduced the Babylog ventilator for premature infants.[38] During the 1980s, Dräger also introduced a device maintenance centre (GPZ) with separate clean and unclean sections,[39] similar to earlier disinfection facilities. Other hospital systems include ceiling supply units, IT systems for operating theatres, and gas management systems. In 1985, Dräger introduced the Evita series, incorporating advanced screen and computer technology to improve the integration of mechanical ventilation with spontaneous breathing.[40]
The company also developed the Babyroo warming unit, designed to support neonatal postnatal care. This system features an integrated resuscitation function that automatically regulates ventilation parameters, including oxygen concentration andPositive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP).[41]
Dräger also provides various services, including manufacturer-independent maintenance, repair, and management of medical devices.[42] Additionally, the company offers financing models for hospital equipment fleets.[43][44]
In its safety technology division, Dräger develops and manufactures equipment, systems, and services for personal protection,gas detection, and comprehensive hazard management. In 2024, the safety technology division generated revenue of €1.47 billion.[3] Dräger operates production sites in Germany, theUnited Kingdom, theCzech Republic, theUnited States,Sweden,South Africa, andChina.[45]
The target markets include industries such as resource extraction, thechemical industry, the oil and gas sector, as well as fire and rescue services.[3] Dräger’s safety technology product range includes respiratory protection equipment, stationary and portable gas detection systems, professional diving technology, and alcohol and drug testing devices.[21] Additionally, the company collaborates with customers to develop comprehensive fire training facilities, training programmes, and educational concepts.[46]
Dräger's products include powered air-purifying respirators, such as theDräger X-plore 8700.[47] In the field of gas detection, the company offers devices like theDräger X-am 8000 multi-gas detector, capable of measuring oxygen levels as well as toxic or flammable gases and vapours.[48] For mining and firefighting applications, Dräger provides theDräger BG ProAir, a self-contained breathing apparatus designed for prolonged operations.[49] The company also supplies theDräger UCF FireCore thermal imaging camera for fire and rescue services.[50]
Dräger was one of the first companies developingcolorimetricgas detector tubes (also known as "detector tubes"), which are used to measure gas concentrations. In a typical colorimetric gas detector tube, a known volume of air is drawn through a tube using a pump. The tube typically contains a reactive layer that changes colour depending on the concentration of the gas passing through the tube. The length of the colour change zone varies accordingly.[51]
Dräger also manufactured the high-altitude oxygen sets used in the1952 Swiss Mount Everest expedition (the second, autumn expedition), andJohn Hunt later had adaptors made so that the1953 British expedition could use oxygen from tanks left behind by the Swiss, particularly for theirbottled oxygen "sleeping sets".[52]
Drägerwerk manufactured heavy diving equipment in the early 20th century, including helmets and diver's air pumps.
In 1912, Drägerwerk developedstandard diving dress which did not require surface-supplied breathing gas via adiver's umbilical, as it utilized a self-contained gas supply from a rebreather. The system featured a copper diving helmet and a standard heavy diving suit with a back-mounted set of cylinders and scrubber. Two versions were available: the DM20, designed for oxygen use at depths of up to 20 metres, and the DM40, designed for nitrox use at depths of up to 40 metres. The DM40 system used both an oxygen cylinder and an air cylinder, mixing the gases as needed. The semi-closed breathing circuit used the injected gas to circulate the gas in the helmet through a scrubber, providing a significantly lower work of breathing in comparison with most other rebreathers which used the lungs of the diver to circulate gas in the loop. TheModell 1915 bubikopf helmet was designed for use with this system. The rebreather loop hoses connected to the back of the helmet below the overhanging part, and led from there to the back-mounted scrubber.[53]
Since 1941,Hans Hass used bag-on-back rebreathers for scuba diving, originally built by Dräger for self-rescue of submarine crews (Tauchretter; like theDavis Escape Set). The first Dräger-Tauchretter had been built in 1907. In 1926 theBade-Tauchretter was brought into service for rescuing drowning swimmers.[54]
Dräger manufactured the Atlantis, Ray, and Dolphin lines of recreational diving semi-closed-circuitnitroxrebreathers. The company also manufactures the LAR-5 and LAR-6 military oxygen rebreathers, and the LAV-7 military rebreather which can be switched between closed-circuit and semi-closed-circuit modes.[55][56]
TheDräger Dolphin, originallyAtlantis is a semi-closed circuit nitroxrebreather for recreationaldiving using a constant mass flow injection system.[57][58]
TheDräger Ray is a semi-closed circuitrecreationaldiving rebreather designed to use standardnitroxbreathing gas mixtures.
The soft harness has integrated over-the-shoulder counterlungs andbuoyancy compensator bladder. The harness also carries a moderately sized scrubber canister on the upper back, and a single, transversely mountedcylinder on the lower back. The Ray delivers a constant mass flow of gas to the breathing circuit through a Dräger Shark regulator and a metering orifice which is chosen from a small range and must be matched to the chosen gas mixture.
The whole unit excepting cylinders is supplied in a carrying case.
The standard unit includes a simpledive/surface valve (DSV) with a mouthpiece, but an optional DSV can be connected to the Dräger Panoramafull-face mask using the standard Dräger P-port connection system, which is also used for the connections between the breathing hoses andcounterlungs, as well as between the counterlungs and scrubber canister. The back-mounted scrubber has axial flow and features an auxiliary P-port on the base, which can be used to connect an optional oxygen monitor cell.
Theautomatic diluent valve and metering orifice are combined into a single unit that plugs into a counterlung using a standard P-port connection.
The standard cylinder supplied with the unit is a 4-litre, 200 bar steel cylinder,[59] but the unit can also accommodate an 8-litre steel cylinder, which is about the same length but has a larger diameter. The standard open circuit bailout uses a Sharkdemand valve on the same first stage that is used for the metering and ADV. A low-pressure hose is also included to supply the buoyancy compensator.
Recreational semi-closed circuit rebreather with constant mass flow dosage and demand gas supply, open circuit bailout on independent second stage.[59][60]
Dräger supportsVolunteer fire departments,[61] the German Firefighting Museum inFulda[62] and, since 2019, theMade by Diversity campaign, which is committed to greater tolerance and openness in society.[63]
Additionally, Dräger has been recognised with over 33iF Design Awards.[66] Dräger has also been repeatedly awarded byWirtschaftswoche as the most valuable employer for thecommon good (Gemeinwohl) in Germany.[67][68]
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