Our company looks back on a long and successful tradition, driven from the very beginning by a spirit of innovation in the development and production of personal fall protection systems.

Founded in 1978 by Otto Herchet in a small home garage, IKAR GmbH has grown from a one-man operation into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fall protection technology. What started as a vision to make working at height safer has evolved into a globally recognized brand synonymous with reliability, precision, and German engineering excellence.

Today, the family business is managed by the second generation – Michele, Marco, and Natascha Herchet – who bring fresh ideas while remaining firmly committed to the core values that define IKAR’s success: technical excellence, uncompromising quality, and the ambition to always stay one step ahead. Their leadership continues the pioneering spirit that has shaped the company for over four decades.

For many years, IKAR has held a position of technological leadership in the industry. Our extensive product range – from full body harnesses, anchorage devices, and Retractable Type Fall Arresters (SRLs) to lanyards and descent devices – provides our customers with tailor-made solutions of the highest technical standard and consistently verified quality. Every product that leaves our facility reflects our dedication to safety, performance, and innovation. Our quality management system is certified according to EN ISO 9001:2015-11 (D).

The production site in Fulda today covers around 6,500 m². Each month, IKAR GmbH manufactures approximately 13,000 Retractable Type Fall Arresters (SRLs) and exports them to over 50 countries worldwide – a production volume that underlines our status as the global market leader in this segment.

Yes to “Made in Germany”!

Alongside the development, design, and assembly of our Retractable Type Fall Arresters, a large part of our manufacturing takes place in-house – a cornerstone of our quality philosophy and a key to our lasting success.

In Fulda, we operate state-of-the-art departments such as precision machining, where high-accuracy components are produced using the latest manufacturing technologies. The required plastic components are also produced on site. In addition, we run our own textile manufacturing unit, where our harnesses, lanyards, and energy absorbers are made – all crafted with precision and care to meet the highest standards of safety and comfort.

To meet continuous growth and further expand our production capacities, we have enlarged our Fulda site with the new Plant 2, adding an additional 10,000 m² of production and storage space. This investment not only creates more room for efficient manufacturing processes but also strengthens our long-term competitiveness in Germany and beyond. It stands as a symbol of our ongoing commitment to innovation, quality, and the future of safety technology.

Another key component of our production network is our subsidiary, IKAR LMG Gusstechnik in Aue, which specializes in precision aluminum die casting. Recent investments include the addition of a new, state-of-the-art die-casting machine with integrated robotic technology – a decisive step in further increasing our manufacturing depth, automation, and technological leadership in the industry.