Building a Legacy of Innovation and Excellence in Fitness
Almost 50 years after the Dreissigacker brothers set out to create quality rowing products for training and racing, the company that started in a Vermont barn continues to be one of the top names in exercise equipment.
In fact, the Concept2 RowErg machine was named the best overall rowing machine by Garage Gym Reviews for 2025.
The company's origins date back to 1976 when Dick and Peter Dreissigacker were preparing to try out for the United States rowing team in hopes of making it to that summer’s Olympics in Montreal. They competed using oars modified with carbon fiber in an attempt for faster performance.
ATHLETES TO INNOVATORS
When they didn’t make the team, the brothers decided to focus on their new initiative and began selling their carbon fiber oars. The product was well received in the rowing community. Soon thereafter, the Dreissigackers started developing more products aimed at assisting rowers and other athletes.
In the 1980s, Concept2 began working on an indoor rowing machine. Manufactured mainly from bicycle parts. The “Model A” had a moving seat and a flywheel which facilitated air resistance. The apparatus was released with a $600 price tag, considerably less expensive than the $3,000 machines already on the market.
In 2010, the company unveiled its revolutionary Dynamic Indoor Rower, which was unique in that it uses foot stretchers rather than a moving seat. That difference meant less body mass movement, thus simulating on-water rowing more accurately. In 2021, Concept2’s Dynamic Indoor Rower was rebranded as the RowErg to be consistent with the company’s other cardio offerings, the SkiErg and BikeErg.
The Erg stands for ergometer, which means a machine that measures how much exertion or exercise is performed. The machine was unique in that it uses moving foot stretchers rather than a moving seat. That difference meant less body mass movement, thus simulating on-water rowing more accurately.
While eventually expanding their product line to include cross-country ski (SkiErg) and biking machines (BikeErg), the company didn’t forget its commitment to oars. In 1991, it introduced its Big Blade, an asymmetric hatchet-shaped blade that enabled rowers to power their vessels one to two percent faster.
PERSONALLY INVOLVED
Cody Spiegel, a mechanical engineer at Concept2, says the Dreissigacker brothers have been the heart and soul of the company from the very beginning. He says while the Founders have built a strong team, they remain a central part of the business.
“They are unique in the sense that they are visionary leaders, but they are also in-the-trench workers,” he says. “Whether steering the team toward the next product, experimenting and fabricating prototypes in the R&D lab or simply taking the recycling out, the Dreissigackers consistently lead by example.”
Spiegel explains that one of the keys to the success of Concept2 is the brothers’ longtime vision of establishing and maintaining a positive company culture.
“The company structure is flat and employees are encouraged and empowered to self-prioritize and organize. This flat structure enables every employee to take deeper ownership of their work and eliminates the inefficiencies and bureaucracy that come with multiple layers of management.”
In fact, with the brothers looking to take a step back from day-to-day operations, 100 per cent of the company’s ownership was recently transferred to Concept2 Perpetual Purpose Trust. The move ensures that profits are reinvested in the company and that the firm continues to grow.
WORKING WITH PROTOCASE
One of the more recent products put on offer by Concept2 is the StrengthErg, an exercise machine that brings the power of air resistance to strength training. The apparatus can be paired with a performance monitor to track results.
It was during the development of the StrengthErg that Concept2 turned to Protocase.
“We had a need for a quick-turn prototype sheet metal,” explains Spiegel. “This led us to find Protocase. We chose Protocase because of their ability to rapidly produce sheet metal parts and assemblies at a reasonable cost with hardly any time-consuming documentation requirements.”
Spiegel further commented that because Protocase is a perfect partner for any tech company involved in research and development activities.
“R&D has always been a foundation of our business and a key element in the company’s success,” he says. “Like Protocase, Concept2 was founded on a passion for innovation and experimentation, with a philosophy of leaning into technical problems to find solutions.”
FUTURE
Today, Concept2 employs more than 80 people at its Morrisville, Vermont facility. For the record, the team no longer works out of a barn.
“And, while we can’t share any specifics, Concept2 is always working on future ideas and potential products,” confirms Spiegel.