In this Research Note, we examine Wagner Group GmbH, the German fire protection solutions provider based on their 2022/2023 results and the group’s recent expansion strategy.

In the field of fire detection and fire prevention, the Wagner Group, headquartered in Langenhagen, Germany. is one of the technology leaders with more than 700 patents.

Their core competence is in technical fire protection. Wagner develops individual solutions based on its own products and systems:

• TITANUS aspirating smoke detectors for early fire detection.
• OxyReduct preventive oxygen reduction system.
• FirExting fire extinguishing systems with chemical gases, inert gases and water fog for special applications.
• VisuLAN organization/hazard management.

Wagner closed the past financial year ending 31st March 2023, exceeding its own targets following renewed growth. Despite the overall challenging global economic situation, the company was able to increase the Group's consolidated revenues to EUR 123.4 million.

This corresponds to a growth of EUR 8.3 million or 7.2% compared to the previous year. The family business, currently employing around 700 people in 22 locations in 14 countries, has thus grown continuously since it was founded in 1976.

According to the company, their success is based not only on disproportionate growth in the relevant foreign markets, but also on successful business in the core market of Germany. In recent years, the company has focused on its internationalization strategy and, in addition to further market development within Europe, is currently further strengthening its business in North America as well as developing and expanding the fire protection portfolio in India and its neighbouring countries.

Wagner has been developing, planning and implementing oxygen reduction systems since 1998 and has continuously refined and expanded its product portfolio. The principle of the oxygen-reduced atmosphere for active fire prevention is experiencing increasing international demand from large logistics companies, deep-freeze storage facilities, maximum-security data centres, libraries and museums with valuable archives.

Wagner Acquisitions

Acquisitions have not been at the forefront of company strategy, but in 2017, Wagner expanded in Scandinavia by acquiring a majority stake in Hypoxic Technologies AS, based in Verdal near Trondheim, Norway., The company specialises in active fire prevention via oxygen reduction and will distribute Wagner´s OxyReduct technology on the Scandinavian market in the future. Fire detection and extinguishing systems will be added to the range of fire protection solutions offered as part of the further expansion.

This will incrementally bring the product range in line with the Wagner spectrum in the field of preventive fire protection systems so that tailor-made complete solutions can be offered on the Scandinavian market.

WAGNER’s technical product portfolio provides critical solutions for specialist applications in sensitive facilities, to proactively prevent or detect fire at an early stage, with minimal damage.

This article was written by Daphne Tomlinson, Senior Research Associate at Memoori.