We aim to be widely recognised in the Benelux as the reliable lighting management specialist. We use our expertise to provide our customers with a suitable solution that focuses on comfort and the well-being of people in a building and the environment. Driven personnel and intelligent software techniques help us to achieve this.
We believe that lighting should not only be functional, but also contribute to comfort, productivity and user well-being. That is why we are committed to working closely with our customers and partners to develop tailor-made solutions that meet their needs. We believe that good cooperation and knowledge sharing leads to better results for all.
Helvar is a specialist in lighting control. We have knowledge of light and the effects of good lighting in practice. We share this knowledge with our client as much as possible to deliver the best results. Combining this with the right control takes a lighting plan to the next level.
At Helvar, the interests of the customer and the end user are paramount. Due to our independent position in the lighting market, there is no barrier to cooperation. Our products can also be applied independently of the lighting brand.
Personal contact with the customer and the end user is very important to us. We work with permanent regional teams, each consisting of a sales consultant (field sales), a project manager (office sales) and a number of software engineers.
Helvar is founded in 1921 . Helvar started trading oil between Helsinki and Varschau. For various reasons, trade between Finland and Poland was not so successful, so the company got agencies elsewhere in Europe.
In 1926 we started importing radio receivers just as the first radio broadcasts began in Finland.
Helvar's industrial activity in 1930 consisted of assembling radio sets in ready-made boxes.
After a few years, very gradually the full focus shifted to radios and in 1935 the company switched from assembly to producing its own radios. Production increased to around 15,000 - 20,000 sets a year.
In 1937 Helvar was Finland's largest radio manufacturer. In 1938 Helvar opened its own factory in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki.
Lighting took a big leap forward in the 1930s, when the fluorescent lamp was developed in the United States.
During World War II, Helvar produced radio equipment for the Finnish armed forces. Over the next five years, Helvar restarted consumer production and reorganised the electrical division, which had been established in 1947 .
In 1950 a new annual record of 30,000 radio sets was reached.
In the late 1940s, Helvar finally started manufacturing ballasts for fluorescent lamps.
In the 1950s, a pioneering new technology, television, changed both industry and demands. The first television broadcast in Finland was in 1956.
Helvar quickly adapted to the new technology and got involved in the fast-growing production of television sets. This proved to be a great success.
Soon, television sets became the company's main product component given its great success.
In 1966 Helvar began manufacturing components for lighting controls, later expanding into lighting control systems for theatres and conference halls.
In 1968 Helvar stopped manufacturing radio and television sets. The company switched from traditional manufacturing for entertainment to manufacturing only electrical equipment.
Production still included ballasts, contactors and now light dimmers.
As a result of the growing demand for ballasts, Helvar built in 1973 The world's most modern ballast factory in Karkkila, Finland.
The impact of the oil crisis in 1973 forced a change in the use of energy. Energy efficiency became part of ballast production, as well as Helvar's mission.
Thanks to the famous Helvar spirit, the ballast factory is still one of the most efficient in the world and one of the largest in Europe.
Electronic ballasts were added to the product range in the early 1980s. Helvar developed the world's first dimmable electronic ballast for fluorescent lamps.
Electronic lighting became increasingly important and demand for lighting control systems also rose rapidly in the late 1980s.
To facilitate the rising demand for lighting control systems, Helvar obtains in 1987 shares in Electrosonic and then acquires the company in 1990.
Electrosonic's lighting division merged with Helvar in 1998 , taking the company one step further globally.
In 1999 Helvar is playing an active role in the development of the DALI protocol. Helvar is also introducing the first DIGIDIM products.
On New Year's Eve of 1999 the Karkkila factory was severely damaged by a fire caused by fireworks. The damage was repaired immediately and the factory was able to open again in February of 2000 .
In 2000 Helvar introduced the world's first narrow electronic ballast series, which quickly became the industry standard.
A major change during this period was the shift from manufacturing not just individual components to producing complete systems to meet the needs of various lighting applications.
In 2009 we, Lighting Controls B.V., become official Helvar partner and exclusive Helvar distributor in the Benelux.
The first LED drivers set the standard for the future: efficient, durable and high-quality.
With, meanwhile, an extensive range of DALI(2), SELV, TW and ON/OFF drivers, among others.
We, Lighting Controls B.V., have worked hard these years to become widely recognised as the lighting management specialist in Benelux.
In 2014 and 2017 we as Lighting Controls B.V. are rewarded for all our efforts with the Helvar 'Best Partner' award.
We as Lighting Controls B.V. continue to develop and innovate, both technically and in the company itself.
For example, we have developed the ucontrol platform, continue to expand the ActiveAhead system and continue to share our knowledge at seminars and trade shows.
We are proud to grow as a company and welcome new colleagues to our team to create even more lighting controls on the most beautiful projects.
Andy Bruinewold
Pascal van de Loo
Bart van Rosmalen
Jegor Dragoun
Visit our vacancies page for open positions, there might be something for you! Prefer to have an interview first? Visit contact with us.
