Dohrmann Consulting: A legacy of pioneering ergonomics in Australia

Dohrmann Consulting’s story is deeply rooted in the passion, vision, and innovation of Mark Dohrmann, a pioneer in the field of ergonomics in Australia. With over forty years of practice, our work has evolved significantly, guided by Mark’s dedication to the practical application and relevance of ergonomic principles.

Mark Dohrmann launched his career as a lecturer in Ergonomics at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science, later La Trobe University, after transitioning from a background in mechanical engineering. His teaching experience revealed the significant societal value of ergonomics, inspiring him to provide consultancy in this emerging field.

With the term ‘ergonomics’ being defined only in the 1950’s and the infancy of the profession, Mark had to think carefully about the direction of his business idea. However, he recognised it as an opportunity to create a valuable service that could evolve with the changing needs of humans within the built environment.

In 1983, as a young professional, Mark Dohrmann nervously bit the bullet to start his own business in “Ergonomics Consulting’. With a new business, a young family, and a relatively unique service, the trust and partnership he received from some early clients was a welcome relief.

Mark Dohrmann can still recall his first client (Job number 001), Yazaki Australia, who engaged him to provided essential training and assistance in preventing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) among over 180 process line employees performing clipping, cutting and assembling of automotive wiring.

This early experience highlighted the potential of ergonomics to address real-world issues, particularly during the RSI epidemic, which marked a pivotal opportunity for Mark to establish ergonomics as a useful discipline.

After an unprecedented amount of incoming work in the first 12 weeks of operating his business by himself, Mark took on his first employees in 1984.  He saw employing staff as an investment, which would result in improvement of people’s lives through ergonomics. Mark dedication to this industry flourished.

Mark Dohrmann with his first employee.

The firm soon expanded its services to the legal world. A casual conversation with a solicitor led to Mark’s first detailed report on a personal injury claim, setting the stage for Dohrmann Consulting to become a trusted name in expert witness services.  Our team has since provided thousands of expert opinions on causation and liability from an ergonomics and engineering perspective.  

From the start, Mark identified the necessity to ‘stick to your knitting’, never straying off our expert area, and this was practiced ruthlessly from the earliest days. Precision, honesty, and a commitment to our core expertise have been critical to our success.  These values have helped us build a reputation as a trusted brand in a professional and evolving world of ergonomics.

Continuing the family legacy, two of Mark’s four children pursued mechanical engineering.

Ted Dohrmann joined the team in 2007, followed by Tom Dohrmann.  In 2014, Mark passed the leadership to his oldest son Ted Dohrmann.  Starting at a similar stage in his career, eager to propel the Dohrmann Consulting team into growth and safety, Ted had the challenge of expanding the consultant base, and handling the increase in demand, whilst sticking to the values and mission of the Dohrmann consulting ethos.

Remaining true to the foundational values of Dohrmann Consulting, Ted has continued to emphasise the importance of being pleasant and communicative, both personally and in our written work. Consistency in our report writing is paramount, ensuring that every document reflects our commitment to clarity, precision, and professionalism. This approach has helped build trust and maintain our reputation for excellence in the industry.

Dohrmann Consulting is more than just a consulting firm; we are a brand dedicated to improving lives through independent and best-practice ergonomics expertise applied to real life challenges. Our natural focus is to forge meaningful relationships and foster pleasant work environments through partnerships and collaboration with clients, suppliers, and industry professionals.  It shines through everything we do.