An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Gordon Docherty, Vice President at Druck

EP-UPDATE: Take us through the journey of “Druck” Company’s Current Operations. 

Starting as a small business in Leicester, UK, in 1972 Druck has grown into a global pressure measurement business that is recognized for designing, developing and manufacturing world class high quality and high accuracy piezo‑resistive pressure sensors and calibration instrumentation.

Producing more than 400,000 sensors annually, and with some 4,000 customers, our pressure measurement technology provides advanced levels of accuracy, reliability and stability, enabling customers to enhance safety performance and drive efficiencies and productivity.

Specialising in developing pressure measurement solutions that provide customers with peace of mind in the toughest environments, Druck technology can be found in the world’s deepest oceans, highest mountains and even in outer space.  Our products are trusted by customers in critical applications across many industries including oil & gas, aerospace, transport, motorsport, semiconductor, power generation, meteorology and hydrology.

 

EP-UPDATE: What new innovations have been introduced by “Druck” in the field of energy technology & Solutions guideways?

Innovation is embedded in Druck’s DNA. I’m so proud that for more than 50 years we have pushed the boundaries of pressure measurement innovation to support our customers.

For example, Druck’s proprietary pressure sensing technology, TERPS (Trench Etched Resonant Pressure Sensor) is utilised in energy applications, such as gas turbines, hydrogen production and meteorology. Our TERPS Technology offers up to ten times the accuracy and stability of the next best solution, reducing calibration intervals and lowering cost of ownership.  TERPS technology is deployed across multiple industries, with a notable impact in meteorology. By delivering highly accurate and stable pressure measurements, TERPS enhances weather forecasting and enables earlier detection of severe weather events, helping authorities and communities better prepare and respond.

We also recently introduced a new pressure sensing solution for the growing hydrogen industry. The UNIK5000H and RPS/DPS8000H are hydrogen compatible pressure sensors that can be used across the whole hydrogen landscape, from production to utilisation. The high-performance barrier coating of the pressure sensor diaphragm minimises hydrogen permeation and embrittlement, maximising safety and ensuring performance.

Druck’s pressure sensing technology has been used in the renewable energy industry for decades, including wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower system. Indeed our pressure sensor and calibration solutions are increasingly being deployed in the electric vehicle sector in applications such as monitoring coolant line and gearbox oil pressure ensuring optimal thermal management and lubrication under extreme conditions.

EP-UPDATE: Please brief us about Druck’s piezo-resistive pressure sensors, pressure transducers, pressure test and calibration instruments.

Druck’s piezoresistive technology represents a pioneering advancement in pressure sensing, utilizing a silicon element whose electrical resistance shifts precisely in response to applied pressure. This enables highly accurate and stable measurements, even in the most challenging environments. Leveraging decades of expertise in silicon micro-machining, material science, and proprietary packaging, we engineer sensors that consistently deliver outstanding accuracy, stability, and reliability, with minimal impact from temperature variations or hysteresis. As a result, customers benefit from greater confidence in their measurements, reduced calibration intervals, and lower overall ownership costs—ultimately driving improvements in safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

Our piezoresistive sensors are deployed across a wide range of sectors, including aerospace and defence for altitude, airspeed, and engine testing; energy and power generation for oil & gas, hydrogen, and renewables; automotive and transportation for engine development and emissions testing, industrial and manufacturing for process control and automation, and meteorology and environmental monitoring for accurate atmospheric and underwater measurements.

 EP-UPDATE: How does “Druck” adhere to international standards and certifications in the production of energy technology & Solutions guideways?

Through rigorous quality assurance, advanced silicon manufacturing, and continual compliance testing, we ensure that every sensor, transducer, and calibration instrument meets global regulatory and performance standards, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted leader in precision energy technologies.

Demonstrating the effectiveness of our calibration technology, we recently sent several of our PACE pressure controller units to one of the world’s most respected metrology laboratories, where they specialise in high-accuracy calibration.  Their team of metrology experts were so impressed by the precision and stability of our technology that they are now openly recommending our technology to their clients and have incorporated the PACE pressure controller into their own operations!

EP-UPDATE: Which Key Industries do you cater to? Please Share Some of Application Area?

Druck ‘s technology is vital to a range of industries that rely on precise pressure measurement and calibration technologies to ensure performance, safety, and efficiency.  For example:

Automotive: Our pressure measurement solutions are trusted by our customers to support every stage of vehicle design, testing, and production, across application including engine development, emissions testing, fuel system analysis and component validation.

Motorsport:  Our sensors are trusted by top-tier teams across the highest levels of motorsport. I’m proud of how our compact, lightweight, and thermally compensated sensors enable critical measurements of brake, fuel, oil, and manifold pressures. These insights directly impact vehicle performance and safety, helping race teams achieve the marginal gains that can make all the difference on track.

Aerospace: Druck’s precision technology is essential in aerospace, supporting flight operations through accurate testing and calibration of pitot-static systems, hydraulic controls, and monitoring of cabin and fuel pressures. On your last flight, the chances are that Druck technology was also on board helping you reach your destination!  Our sensors are also advancing hydrogen powered aircraft and contribute to space missions.

Oceanography: Scientists use our sensors to measure the height of the ocean and understand sea level rises; critical in understanding the circulation of the ocean and its role in world climates.

Oil & Gas: Druck delivers high-accuracy pressure and temperature solutions for the oil and gas industry, supporting exploration, production, and refining. Our sensors and calibrators enable precise monitoring of wellhead pressure, downhole instrumentation, and process control even in hazardous environments helping customers meet regulatory requirements and maintain safe, efficient operations.

Across all these sectors, Druck’s precision instruments ensure reliable data, improved operational efficiency, and compliance with global standards, making them integral to modern engineering and energy solutions.

EP-UPDATE: What are the major challenges that “Druck” is facing in the industry and how are they being tackled?

Druck is globally recognized as a leader in pressure measurement technologies for the world’s most demanding environments; such as monitoring hydrogen flow in cryogenic fuel systems, controlling subsea oil extraction, enabling precision in motorsport telemetry, safeguarding aerospace flight systems, detecting water liquid interfaces in hydrocarbon tanks, and supporting smart city meteorology networks with ultra stable pressure data. Our customers consistently experience gains in efficiency and productivity thanks to the exceptional accuracy and reliability of our solutions, even under the harshest conditions.

The real challenge is to continually improve and deliver new technologies that not only meet but consistently exceed our customers’ expectations. This commitment drives us to push the boundaries of innovation, ensuring we remain at the forefront of our industry. Our ongoing investment in research and development, combined with a culture of innovation and the expertise of our talented team, enables us to meet this challenge head on and set new benchmarks for performance and reliability.

For example, the global shift toward cleaner energy, including hydrogen technologies, has inspired our development of pioneering advanced, hydrogen-compatible pressure sensors that set new standards for pressure measurement performance in hydrogen applications.

 

EP-UPDATE: What is your company’s approach to R&D and innovation, and what future technologies or developments are you investing in to stay ahead of the competition?

As I’ve already hinted, we’re committed to research and development to maintain our market leading expertise across precision pressure sensing and calibration technologies.

What sets Druck apart is our in-house, integrated design and manufacturing process. From silicon wafer fabrication in our Class 100 cleanroom, to the final product assembly, every stage of the manufacturing process is tightly controlled.

As mentioned earlier, in the last few years, our innovation inspired culture, our people and processes have developed a number of groundbreaking pressure measurement and calibration technologies that are enabling customers to achieve productivity and efficiency gains.  A recent innovation from Druck is the release of a new transfer standard calibrator, engineered for in-situ testing and interlaboratory comparisons – PACE Tallis. Offering a lower cost of ownership and requiring less maintenance compared to a deadweight tester, PACE Tallis harnesses our TERPS technology and offers market leading precision, long-term stability and low drift – we’re really proud of the final product – it’s a a modern, digital solution for a laboratory standard.

Meanwhile, since its launch in 2023, our PV624 portable hybrid pressure controller has led the market in terms of speed to stable setpoint using hybrid control technology. When combined with our new PM620LP low pressure module, users can achieve a fully automated, ultra-low pressure calibration process. This solution is unique; with one pressure calibration system, our customers can calibrate from low to high pressure ranges.

Going forward, I can guarantee our customers, that our investment and commitment to launching new technologies will continue.  We have a number of exciting product releases scheduled in the next year or so – keep an eye on Druck!

 

EP-UPDATE: As Druck continues to innovate amid the global energy transition and growing demand for sustainable, high-precision technologies, what are your personal thoughts on how the company’s values and vision are shaping its future direction and impact on the industry?

At Druck, innovation is at the heart of our culture, but it’s our customer focused approach that truly drives us forward. Every decision we make is guided by a commitment to our customers’ needs; I believe that this powerful combination of innovation and customer focus is the foundation of our continued success.

Our strategy is shaped by what our customers are telling us:

• They demand ever more accurate and reliable pressure data to inform decision-making, boost productivity, and enhance efficiency.
• Many are transitioning to more sustainable operations, relying on advanced sensor technologies including our pressure measurement solutions to help reduce carbon emissions.
• Customers are also expanding into new markets, such as renewables, seeking technologies that support their growth and diversification.

By listening closely to our customers and the broader market, we continue to adapt and respond:

1. We are accelerating the launch of new products that deliver unrivalled accuracy, reliability, and stability, recognizing that insights from Druck sensors enable our customers to enhance productivity and efficiency performance.
2. We’re developing technologies that directly support industrial carbon-out actions and processes.  And looking at our own operations, Druck is on track for net zero by 2050, having already met our goal to cut scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50% six years ahead of our 2040 target.
3. We are actively expanding into emerging sectors hydrogen, wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro and supporting the evolving needs of our customers.

I’ve no doubt that our ongoing dialogue with our customers ensures keeps Druck at the forefront of precision measurement technology.

 

EP-UPDATE: Any special message to your customers & our readers through our platform.

Thank you for choosing Druck as your partner in precision pressure measurement and calibration. We truly appreciate your trust and support. As your sectors evolve and new challenges arise, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve, delivering reliable, innovative technologies that help you work safer, smarter, and more efficiently.

Your feedback and partnership mean a lot to us. We’re always listening, always learning, and always striving to create solutions that make a real difference for you today and in the future.