Our history
1462
Foundation of the Hirsch Pharmacy is established in Frankfurt am Main. The Fresenius family assumes ownership in the 18th century.
1912
Dr. Eduard Fresenius, pharmacist and proprietor of the Hirsch Pharmacy commences the production of pharmaceuticals.
1934
The Production unit separates from the Hirsch Pharmacy and relocates to nearby Bad Homburg.
1951
Else Fernau, later Else Kröner, takes over the responsibility for the pharmacy and the company after obtaining her pharmacy degree.
1966
Fresenius starts to sell dialysis machines and dialyzers manufactured by various foreign companies and gains substantial market shares.
1974
Fresenius starts to manufacture infusion solutions and medical disposables in St. Wendel, Germany. Today, Fresenius Medical Care produces highly innovative Polysulfone dialyzers in St. Wendel.
1979
In a newly acquired factory in Schweinfurt, Germany, the production of the A2008 dialysis machine begins. The new machine becomes very successful and is awarded a gold medal for technological innovation at the Leipzig Trade Fair.
1983
The Company takes up the production of synthetic polysulfone fibre membranes for blood purification. These membranes today set the quality standards for dialyzers.
1996
Fresenius Medical Care is founded through a merger of Fresenius Worldwide Dialysis and National Medical Care. Fresenius Medical Care’s shares are listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and New York.
1999
At Fresenius Medical Care the 100,000th dialysis machine comes off the production line. Fresenius Medical Care ordinary shares are listed on the DAX, Germany’s blue-chip share index.
2003
Fresenius Medical Care is the leading dialysis company, caring, for more than 119,000 patients in its own dialysis centres worldwide. With a production output of more than 50 million dialyzers per year, Fresenius Medical Care sets a new record.
2005
The new dialysis therapy system 5008 is introduced in the market and wins the “Innovationspreis der Deutschen Wirtschaft” prize for this innovative development.
2006
Fresenius Medical Care acquires the U.S. dialysis care provider Renal Care Group, Inc. Through its global network of around 2,000 dialysis clinics the company provides dialysis treatments to approximately 157,000 patients.Fresenius Medical Care also transforms its legal form into a KGaA.
2007
Fresenius Medical Care continues its success as the leading manufacturer of dialyzers, producing its 500 millionth dialyzer.
2010
The foundation of a joint venture is established to develop and sell drugs for patients with chronic kidney disease.
2011
The worldwide expansion of the service business continues through the acquisition of IDC, Liberty Dialysis Holdings Inc. and American Access Care.
2012
Fresenius Medical Care produces its 500,000th dialysis machine.
2013
Fresenius Medical Care produces its billionth dialyzer.
