Second Century of Innovation
From locally-owned pharmacy to global industry leader.
Who We Are Today
Today, Fillauer is proud to be a global leader in orthotic and prosthetic innovation. We believe in empowering clinicians and patients to achieve their best functional outcomes. Michael Fillauer, CPO/L, a fourth generation family member, serves as Vice President and General Manager of Fillauer Companies, a subsidiary of Hanger, Inc.
2024: Stronger Together
2024 – Hanger, Inc., a leading provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care services and solutions, acquires Fillauer. The acquisition provides the company with the added benefit of leveraging Hanger’s industry-leading research and outcomes data to further empower clinicians and patients to achieve their best functional outcomes. Fillauer will continue to operate under its existing brand, culture, and leadership.
1970 – 2023: Seasons of Growth
2019 – Fillauer acquired TRS Inc., a leader in providing activity-specific devices for individuals missing one or both hands.
2017 – Fillauer entered into an agreement with TASKA prosthetics to distribute the best-in-class TASKA multi-articulating hand within the United States. Two years later, TASKA extended distribution rights for Fillauer into Canada.
2005 – Fillauer added the Trautman™ equipment line to its product offerings. Shortly after, Fillauer began its first joint venture by creating Emotis, now Fillauer Composites, which uses advanced composite materials to produce prosthetic feet. In 2009, Fillauer purchased OTS Corp., a high-end provider of orthotic componentry including the StepLock® knee joint and PDQ Ovens® for O&P fabrication.
2002 – Fillauer continued its tradition of expansion, acquiring Swedish-based Centri AB – known today as Fillauer Europe. The acquisition allowed Fillauer to add gloves, liners and protective leg coverings to their offerings alongside additional orthotic and prosthetic components.
1996 – 1999 – Fillauer grew rapidly by acquiring Hosmer, Motion Control and the Center for Orthotic Design incorporating a strong upper extremity product line, both body-powered and myoelectric, and the resources to develop a new version of the reciprocating gait.
1993 – Cardinal Health acquired Durr-Fillauer. With a group of investors, Karl Fillauer purchased the orthotics and prosthetic divisions to form Fillauer, Inc.
1972 – Fillauer merged with pharmaceutical and surgical company Durr Drug, resulting in sales growth in surgical and orthopedic supplies.
1940 – 1970: First Class of Practitioners
Carlton Fillauer became the first staff prosthetist named to the National Research Committee on Prosthetic Devices; Carlton was also among the first class of practitioners to be certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) and was a charter member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP).
In 1955, George Sr. retired, and George Jr. was named president of Fillauer. Carlton remained active in the prosthetic community, serving as President of ABC from 1957 to 1958 and President of AOPA from 1962 to 1963.
1914 – 1940: Where it Began
George Fillauer Sr., a German immigrant, opened the Red Cross Pharmacy in Chattanooga, TN in 1914.
Red Cross Pharmacy, now Red Star Pharmacy, expanded its services and hired German “orthomeister” Lawrence Porten to provide orthotic and prosthetic devices for veterans returning from World War I. George’s sons, George Jr. and Carlton, joined the company. George Jr. became a pharmacist and Carlton an orthotist-prosthetist.