Helvar
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Lighting control systems Electronics |
| Founded 📆 | December 28, 1921 |
| Founder 👔 | |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | Espoo, Finland |
Area served 🗺️ | Global |
Key people | Kim Långström (CEO, Helvar Oy Ab) |
| Products 📟 | Lighting control systems, sensors, digital services |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | www |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Helvar is a Finnish electrical equipment and technology company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. Originally founded in 1921 as an import-export business, the company became a major manufacturer of radio and television sets in the mid-20th century before shifting its focus to lighting technology.
In May 2024, the company split its operations into two independent entities: Helvar Oy Ab, which specialises in lighting control systems and digital services, and Helvar Components Oy Ab, which manufactures LED drivers and lighting components.[1][2]
History
Early years and radio manufacturing (1921–1960s)
The company was founded on December 28, 1921, initially trading goods between Finland and Poland. In the 1920s, Helvar began importing radio receivers, and by the 1930s, it had established its own radio factory in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki. By the end of the decade, Helvar was one of the largest radio manufacturers in Finland.[3]
During the Continuation War (1941–1944), Helvar supplied radio equipment to the Finnish Defence Forces. The company is noted for supplying the radio transmitters used in the "Säkkijärven polkka" operation in 1941.
In the 1950s, Helvar expanded its consumer electronics production to include television sets. During this period, the company also began manufacturing ballasts for fluorescent lamps, marking its entry into the lighting market.
Transition to lighting (1966–Present)
In 1966, Helvar began producing lighting control components, eventually exiting the consumer radio and television market to focus exclusively on lighting technology.
In 2016, the company moved its headquarters to Keilaniemi, Espoo. In May 2024, Helvar executed a demerger, separating its business into two distinct companies to serve different segments of the lighting market.[1]
Operations and locations
Helvar is a family-owned company with a global presence. Helvar is a subsidiary of Helvar Merca Oy Ab, a Finnish family-owned holding company controlled by the Aminoff family. The parent company, which also owns the factory automation supplier Fastems, acts as the umbrella organisation for the family's industrial holdings. The Aminoff family has been involved in the company's ownership and strategic direction for several generations.[4]
Its operations are divided between two main entities following the 2024 split:
- Helvar Oy Ab: Focuses on intelligent lighting control systems, environmental sensing, and cloud-based digital services. This division also focuses on sustainability metrics, utilising the "carbon handprint" concept to measure the positive environmental impact of its technologies.[5] Its product development and manufacturing for lighting controls are located in Dartford, United Kingdom.[1]
- Helvar Components Oy Ab: Focuses on the manufacturing of LED components, including LED drivers, modules, and ballasts. It operates a production facility in Karkkila, Finland.
Helvar maintains regional offices in Finland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Poland, with a network of global partners.
Products
Helvar’s product portfolio includes wired and wireless lighting control systems based on the DALI standard, as well as the proprietary "ActiveAhead" self-learning wireless lighting control solution.[6] The company also produces hardware components such as sensors, control panels, and gateways, in addition to digital cloud-based services.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Helvar jakautuu kahdeksi yhtiöksi – tavoitteena nopeampi kasvu (Helvar splits into two companies - aiming for faster growth)". Kauppalehti (in suomi). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
- ↑ "Helvar accelerates strategy execution by separating its businesses into independent companies". Helvar.com. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
- ↑ "Helvar celebrates 100 years". Arc Magazine. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
- ↑ "Owners and Board". Helvarmerca.com. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
- ↑ "What's a Carbon Handprint? Understanding your organisation's positive impact". UK Green Building Council. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
- ↑ "Helvar commended by Frost & Sullivan for leading the AI-powered lighting controls market". PR Newswire. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
Category:Manufacturing companies of Finland Category:Lighting brands Category:Companies established in 1921 Category:Electronics companies of Finland
References
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