Helvar

Helvar Oy AB is an international lighting technology company specializing in energy efficient and intelligent components and solutions for lighting and lighting control systems. Helvar has its own sales offices and tens of representatives all over the world. Its headquarters are located in Finland, with its commercial center of excellence located in London.
History
Helvar was founded in Helsinki on 28 December 1921. Its purpose was to handle import and export between Finland and Poland. The name “Helvar” was made from the first syllables of the capital cities.
Helvar was born as the era of radio began. From the 1920s onwards, Helvar was one of the Finnish radio pioneers. The years 1930-1939 showed a remarkable development in the production of radio sets. In 1937, Helvar was Finland’s largest radio manufacturer, and in 1938 it opened its own factory in Helsinki. But the Winter War interrupted the rapid expansion of production. Between 1940-1950, the company was concentrated on the supply radio equipment to the Finnish armed forces, and in payment of Finnish war debts to the Soviet Union.
Lighting took a significant leap forward in the 1930s, when the fluorescent lamp was developed in the United States. But it was not until after the war, at the end of the 1940s, that this type of lighting became common in Finland, and in 1949 Helvar finally started production of ballasts for fluorescent lamps.
In the 1950s, a ground-breaking new technology, television, changed both the industry and its demands. The first television broadcast in Finland was in 1956. Helvar quickly adapted to the new technology and got involved in the rapidly growing production of TV sets. Soon television sets became the company’s main production item.
In 1966, Helvar began production of lighting control components, later expanding to include lighting control systems for theatres and conference spaces. In 1968 Helvar stopped making radio and television sets, while still continuing the marketing business in this line. As a result of the eightfold growth in ballast production 1965-1975, Helvar built the most modern ballast factory in the world, in Karkkila, in 1973.
In the beginning of the 1980s, electronic ballasts were added to the product range. Helvar developed the world’s first dimmable electronic ballast for fluorescent lamps. Electronic lighting became more and more important and also the demand for lighting control systems increased rapidly in the late 80s. In 1982, Helvar gained the Finnish President’<nowiki/>s export award, as even at that time, exports accounted for 80% of turnover. As the demand for lighting control systems grew, Helvar acquired Electrosonic in 1990.In 1999 Helvar played an active role in developing the new standard for digitally addressable lighting called DALI that made it possible to control each luminaire individually based on the users’ needs in different applications; the new digital era in lighting began. On New Year’s Eve 1999 the Karkkila factory was badly damaged by a fire caused by fireworks. Work to rebuild the plant was started immediately and ballast production was restarted in February 2000.
In 2000, Helvar was the first in the world to introduce the slim electronic ballast range which was quickly adopted to become the industry standard. A significant change was the shift from producing not only single components, but to produce complete systems to fill the needs of various lighting applications.
Helvar nowadays
Today, Helvar is one of Europe’s most significant companies in its field being able to combine expertise in ballasts, LED drivers and lighting control in a unique way, due to its ambition to produce innovative sustainable products and solutions. Focus on customers, continuous investment in product development, partners in Asia and successful supply chain management have enhanced Helvar’s strong growth. Besides versatile components for all kinds of light sources, including LED’s, the lighting control systems play an increasing and vital role in high-quality and efficient lighting. Energy-efficiency requirements are fostering innovations like intelligent energy monitoring and effective lighting management systems.
Products and solutions
Helvar's luminaire component portfolio consists of LED drivers, electronic and magnetic ballasts for fluorescent and high intensity discharge lamps as well as sensors complemented with an extensive range of lighting control products and systems.
Products
Luminaire Components
* LED Drivers
* LED Modules
* LED Accessories
* Ballasts
* Sensors
Lighting Control
* Control Panels
* Lighting Control Sensors
* Input Devices
* Dimmers
* Relay Units
* Ballast Controllers
* Racks and Enclosures
* Routers
* Apps
* Software
* Accessories
Solutions
* Imagine - Lighting management solutions
* DIGIDIM - Programmable solutions
* iDim - Smart standalone solutions
** ActiveAhead - Predictive Lighting
** Active+ - self-learning energy saving luminaires
** freeDim - Personalised lighting
** iDim Orbit - complete ceiling-mount room control solution
** Select the Weather - Standalone Solution
* easySwitch™ - Simple switching solutions
Project References
* Harmony of the Sea<nowiki/>s
* Dubai Mall
* Marina Bay Sands
* Mardan Palace
* Cafe Royal
* WTC Abu Dhabi
* Theatre Royal Glasgow
* Orio al Serio International Airport
* Tampere University of Applied Sciences
* University of Tartu
* Cologne Cathedral
 
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