SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May7, 2025 – Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA has shown significant growth in its order intake during the first quarter of 2025, marking a strong start to the year despite a seasonally weaker operating result. With order intake reaching approximately EUR 861 million, the company exceeded its prior-year figures by EUR 50 million. Net sales closely mirrored last year's numbers, while operating results remained narrowly positive, reflecting both challenges and opportunities across global markets.
Strong Growth in Order Intake
In the first quarter of 2025, Dräger achieved a 6.1% increase in order intake, after accounting for currency effects, totaling EUR 860.8 million. This performance surpassed the prior year’s first-quarter figure of EUR 810.8 million, underscoring the company's strong position in the marketplace. Stefan Dräger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Drägerwerk Verwaltungs AG, remarked, “Measured by order volume, the first quarter of 2025 has been the best first quarter for us since the record year of 2020. This shows that our ‘Technology for Life’ is still very much in demand.”
Regional Growth Drives Performance
The increase in demand was particularly pronounced in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, which was the largest contributor to the growth in order intake. Additionally, the Americas and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions also demonstrated solid performance, indicating a global recovery and sustained demand for Dräger's products.
- Order Intake by Region:
- EMEA: Significant growth
- Americas: Positive demand
- APAC: Steady growth
This regional expansion supports Dräger's global footprint and strengthens its competitive advantage across diverse markets.
Medical and Safety Divisions Drive Growth
The growth in order intake was driven by both of Dräger’s primary business divisions: Medical and Safety. The Medical division saw a 4.2% increase in order intake, rising to EUR 473.7 million compared to EUR 453.7 million in Q1 2024. This was largely due to heightened demand across most product categories, reflecting ongoing global healthcare needs.
Meanwhile, the Safety division experienced even stronger performance, with an 8.4% increase in order intake, amounting to EUR 387.1 million, up from EUR 357.2 million in the same quarter last year. A key driver of this growth was the Engineered Solutions area, which saw its order volume double, fueled by high demand for gas detection devices, respiratory and personal protection products, and alcohol detection devices.
- Key Drivers in the Safety Division:
- Engineered Solutions: Double order volume
- Gas Detection Devices: Increased demand
- Personal Protection Products: Strong performance
- Alcohol Detection Devices: Significant growth
Operating Results Reflect Seasonal Weakness
Despite the strong demand and growth in order intake, Dräger's operating results for the first quarter remained marginally positive, with EBIT at EUR 0.4 million. This compares to EUR 15.1 million in the same period last year. The EBIT margin was recorded at 0.1%, a significant decrease from the 2.0% EBIT margin reported in Q1 2024. This drop is attributed to the seasonally weaker first quarter and the challenges of managing production and logistics during this period.
Strategic Outlook for 2025
Dräger’s first-quarter performance highlights the resilience of its business model and the continued relevance of its technological solutions, especially in the healthcare and safety sectors. The strong order intake, particularly in the EMEA region, positions the company well for the remainder of 2025. Moving forward, Dräger remains focused on sustaining growth across its core markets and driving innovation in its product offerings.
With robust demand continuing in both divisions, Dräger’s emphasis on its “Technology for Life” remains a central strategy, positioning the company for long-term success in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.