About Concept2 | Concept2

About Concept2

Concept2 began in 1976 in the back of a bread truck when Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, fresh from Olympic training, started making composite racing oars. Concept2 oars have since gone on to become the oar of choice among the world's rowers, and innovations continue right to the present-day.

In 1981, Dick and Pete created the Concept2 Indoor Rower, which swiftly became the best-selling rowing machine in the world. Now several models later, it’s used every day by Olympic athletes, cardiac rehab patients, individuals at home and every caliber of rower in-between.

Since those early days we've grown to over 100 employees, and our product line includes oars, the indoor rower, the SkiErg and the BikeErg. Though we’re much larger now, we remain dedicated to our philosophy of providing the most innovative products and programs to our customers. By selling factory direct, Concept2 eliminates the middleman so that we can provide our customers with the best value. You buy direct from our manufacturing facility in Morrisville, Vermont, USA.

Rowing is our reason for being. Our primary goal is to promote and encourage the growth of rowing, both indoors and outdoors. We believe that rowing is a lifelong activity, accessible to all.

Every machine and oar we produce comes from a background of over forty-five years of excellence. We strive to design, manufacture, sell and service unique products of the highest quality and value for the benefit of the Concept2 community—our customers, employees, suppliers and neighbors.


Dick testing an early oar shaft by standing on it
Dick performing an early oar shaft strength test.