Lohmann & Rauscher

Lohmann & Rauscher (L&R) is an international developer, producer, and seller of medical devices and hygiene products. The international company group grew out of the merger between the German company Lohmann (founded in 1851) and the Austrian company Rauscher (founded in 1899), which took place in 1998. L&R currently has over 5,500 employees worldwide. In 2020, the corporate group is represented by 50 subsidiaries and shareholdings in 27 countries, and by more than 130 partner companies. The company headquarters are located in Rengsdorf (Germany) and Vienna (Austria). The Group sales reached more than 7500 million euros in 2019.

The L&R product range contains more than 16,000 products from the areas of medicine, nursing and hygiene – they include dressing materials, bandages (e.g. under the Rosidal brand), supports and orthoses (e.g. the Cellacare, Velpeau, epX brands), plaster room products (e.g. under the Cellona brand) wound dressings for all phases of wound healing (the Suprasorb family of brands), OR set systems and hygiene (e.g. the Raucodrape, Kitpack, Setpack, Sentinex brands), as well as consumer articles (e.g. the brands Bellawa cotton wool products and Senta feminine hygiene products). The company recently expanded its spectrum of services for hospitals with the L&R Optiline service concept. In the area of medical technology, L&R introduced the Suprasorb CNP range for negative pressure therapy in 2008.

In addition to hospitals, doctors, nurses and pharmacies, L&R's customers also include medical supplies retailers, wholesalers and industry, and retail businesses for consumer products.

History
In 1851, the business was registered by Julius Lüscher under the name "Julius Lüscher" in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In 1899, the company established itself as a manufacturer and distributor of surgical dressing materials and nursing care items in Vienna, Austria.

By 1900, new factory facilities were established in Fahr am Rhein, now part of Neuwied, Germany, employing approximately 60 workers. This factory became the new headquarters of Lohmann. The product range expanded to include zinc paste bandages, dressings, bandages for burns, and sterile wound dressings.

In 1930, Cellona, a ready-to-use fixed plaster of Paris bandage, was introduced to the market.

The Rosidal compression bandage was launched in 1961. Rauscher then relocated to a new headquarters in Vienna, Austria, near Auhof in 1975. This location continues to serve as the company’s headquarters to this day.

The market launch of OR Set Systems, known globally as "Kitpack," took place in 1987.

In 1991, the central administration of Lohmann relocated to Rengsdorf, Germany. This site became one of two locations with headquarters functions, alongside the site in Vienna, Austria.

In 1998, the German company Lohmann Medical successfully merged with its Austrian counterpart Rauscher. This merger led to the development of the international L&R Group, with headquarters in both Rengsdorf, Germany, and Vienna, Austria.

In 2013, L&R established a full subsidiary in China. Following market entry through the Chinese joint venture “Topamed,” L&R founded its own company, L&R China, with its headquarters in Shanghai and Beijing.

Products
The company offers a range of products across several specialized areas, including compression therapy, wound care, ophthalmology, and accessories.

In compression therapy, the product line includes various bandages, padding, foam materials, stockinettes, and compression therapy systems such as Unna's Boot.

Within wound care, the company provides solutions such as wound cleansing products, modern wound care techniques, and specialized wound dressings that are customizable for specific medical needs.

In the field of ophthalmology, the company offers Pro-ophta products designed for eye care.

Additionally, the company supplies accessories like Silkafix Adhesive Tape and Bandage Roller, enhancing usability in healthcare environments.

Angiokard Medizintechnik
Associated with L&R since 2021, Angiokard Medizintechnik, based in Friedeburg, Austria, was a production plant for L&R. The subsidiary manufactured surgical sets for cardiology, Angiokard Kitpacks for cardiac surgery and intensive care settings, angiography and anaesthsia products. The subsidiary closed at the end of 2023.

Lohmann & Rauscher Accelerator Program
The L&R Accelerator Program, launched in 2023, is a 12-week program designed for high-growth startups, as well as L&R employees and partners. Its program addresses specific issues and subjects related to the medical digital industry, individual learning, and remote monitoring. From a pool of 100 startups suitable for the program, 6 startup companies from various locations across Europe and Singapore are selected to participate in the program. This program includes in-person workshops, mentorship, and masterclass presentations delivered by experts and leaders affiliated with L&R. The program culminates with a final pitch event, during which the participants present collaborative projects they have developed as part of the program.

In the inaugural year, the 2023 program awarded the top prize to FeelTect for their innovative Tight Alright technology. This wearable device allows remote monitoring of bandage pressure during compression therapy.

Nominations

 * Trigos NÖ 2023 Sustainability Award for Employee Initiative