Dräger has a long history, founded in 1889. What do you believe is the core element that has enabled the company not just to survive but thrive throughout the years and become truly global today?
- D.: Our core guiding principle, "Technology for Life," is what drives us every day. This phrase encompasses innovation and the technology push, representing German engineering and inventiveness. It also embodies the various applications of our technology in everyday life. We are closely connected to our customers, with Dräger teams in over 50 countries and more than half of our 17,000 staff involved in sales and service. This customer intimacy allows us to develop alongside them.
Additionally, being a family company for 135 years has contributed to our success. We are still family-controlled, now in the fifth generation. Our governance is structured uniquely: the control is separated from ownership. I hold full control, responsibility, and liability, meaning my name is on every product. If something goes wrong, I am accountable, and I cannot just walk away. This commitment has helped build trust and reliability in Dräger over the years.
Can you provide a brief overview of the main products and services Dräger offers for mining operations?
- D.: The most significant part of our mining portfolio is the "Drägerman," a term also used for the mine rescuers, which are increasingly including Drägerwomen. These rescuers come into action after a mine accident and are typically regular miners who receive special training for rescue operations. Our equipment, including mine rescue apparatus and breathing equipment, supports these teams during rescues, ensuring they can save both lives and the mine itself. For example, our breathing apparatus is essential in such emergencies, and this field is deeply entrenched in our history. My great-grandfather invented the first mine rescue apparatus in 1902, inspired by a mine disaster that had happened in the US, and he read about in a newspaper in his hometown, in Lübeck in Germany..
Beyond rescue operations, miners use our equipment daily for protective purposes, such as filtering devices, self-contained breathing apparatus, and oxygen-generating devices, to ensure they can safely escape in emergencies. We also provide solutions like refuge chambers and quick-fill stations that help miners navigate long escape routes underground.
What role do digital solutions play in addressing the contemporary challenges in mining? Can you introduce us to concept of "Smart Safety"?
- D.: Digital solutions play a crucial role in mining, particularly in communication and asset management. Communication can be challenging since radio waves do not easily penetrate underground rock, but experiments with drones deploying repeaters are underway. Additionally, ensuring the safety of miners and assets is essential. We have acquired a company called Focus FS in Newfoundland that specializes in asset management, providing software solutions for digitalizing and supporting mine rescue operations. For instance, Ontario Mine Rescue uses this system to monitor and manage operations underground effectively.
- A.: This digital solution is vital for transferring information quickly and accurately during emergencies. It helps mine rescue teams communicate efficiently thousands of feet underground, ensuring data is transferred quickly, which supports better decision-making. Real-time monitoring of environmental conditions, such as gas levels and temperature, is critical. The more accurate and faster the information we have, the better decisions can be made, helping to protect miners and optimize operations.
When you speak with your clients, what do they usually present as their biggest challenge?
- D.: The primary concern is always the safety of the miners, ensuring that everyone comes out of the mine safe and sound every day. Thinking ahead and preparing for emergencies is essential to protect lives, which remains the utmost priority. Keeping operations running smoothly and preventing the loss of a mine or specific areas after an accident is also crucial, although it comes second to safety. The financial impact of such disruptions can be significant, but with the increasing awareness of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, the focus on work safety and minimizing fatalities or accidents has become more critical.
Additionally, this awareness is growing, especially in developing countries like Colombia, which joined the global community a few years ago. Human life is now being given more importance in these regions, where it may not have been as valued in the past. This shift towards prioritizing safety is a positive change.
- A.: Indeed, and I would add that in today's mining industry, success is closely tied to technology, whether it is heavy equipment or advanced tools. Companies are investing significant time and money in training their employees to use this technology effectively. But the most important asset coming out of the mine every day is the miner. Companies genuinely live by that statement. It is crucial to invest in people, providing them with the training they need, especially since today's operations involve more complex machinery rather than manual digging with pick and shovel.
Despite its already large global presence, Dräger is still expanding. What are your main goals for the next few years in terms of growth and maintaining high standards?
- D.: Our primary goal is to continue offering the best possible support for our customers by leveraging new technologies where applicable while maintaining our high standards of quality. We aim to adapt to the changing landscape, including new minerals and mining locations, to stay relevant in this evolving industry. It is about sustaining our already strong position and growing alongside the industry as it progresses.
I see the industry as more of a growth area than one that is shrinking. It is not an obsolete field, and there are numerous opportunities that will present themselves. We intend to make the most of these opportunities and continue advancing alongside our clients and the mining sector.
