JENA, GERMANY-The Lübeck-based company Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA is to cooperate with Jenoptik's Optical Systems division. Collaboration will focus on the development, production and supply of optoelectronic system solutions.

The long-term strategic collaboration will be based on a cooperation agreement concluded in the fourth quarter of 2011. Jenoptik will develop and produce integrated optoelectronic modules, systems and equipment for Dräger. Among others, strategy workshops where both partners contribute their technological expertise to set up specific development projects represent a key element in this context. The first concrete project agreement is already entered. The total volume is in the lower single-digit million-Euro range and will initially extend over a period of three years.

"We have found a project partner in Jenoptik that covers the entire process chain. We were highly impressed by the company's expertise in the development of optics, electronics and software," explains Stefan Kammer, head of Strategic Purchasing at Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA.

Wolfgang Keller, head of Jenoptik's Optoelectronic Systems business unit, agrees. "We are delighted to have won Dräger, a leading international company in the field of safety technology, as another key customer for our optoelectronic solutions,” Keller adds. “Our cooperation with Dräger highlights the fact that we, as a system provider of integrated, optoelectronic solutions, can meet the most demanding requirements in terms of development, large-scale production and software integration."

Dräger and Jenoptik have successfully collaborated on thermal imaging cameras for rescue services, especially fire departments since 2008.