About Theben Automation
With nearly a century of innovation behind us, Theben is proud to be a global leader in intelligent energy-saving solutions. Founded in 1921, this family-owned business started in the Swabian region of Germany and has grown into a trusted name across more than 60 countries, supported by 580 employees and fourteen international subsidiaries.
Today, Theben continues to lead the way in automation technology, staying true to our heritage while always looking forward.
At the heart of our business is a commitment to quality and precision.
The vast majority of our products are still made in Germany, at our headquarters in Haigerloch, where every item undergoes a 100% final inspection before it leaves our factory. It’s this attention to detail and dedication to excellence that makes Theben a reliable partner for electricians, specifiers, KNX integrators, lighting designers, wholesalers, self-builders and end users across the UK and beyond.
From the iconic ELPA staircase time switch to the invention of the world’s first presence detector, our innovations have shaped the way buildings are lit, heated and managed. Over the decades, we’ve delivered more than 30 million of our bestselling time switches and developed leading technologies in KNX and smart energy – all grounded in our core strengths: time, light and climate control.
Today, our vision is centred around Human-Centred Building Automation (HCBA), a new standard in smart building technology that balances energy efficiency with user comfort. We believe the building sector plays a critical role in addressing the energy and climate crisis. HCBA is our answer: reducing energy consumption without compromising on how a space feels, functions, or flows.
Theben UK is here to support professionals with future-ready, proven solutions that work, for people, for buildings, and for the planet.
A Century of Innovation
The Theben Story: 100+ Years of Intelligent Automation
The first switch is born
Paul Schwenk invents a 3-minute staircase lighting switch – a small idea that would spark a global automation journey.
Theben is founded
Paul Schwenk establishes his own company in Stuttgart. The era of automated time switches begins.
ELPA patented
The ELPA switch becomes the benchmark for automated lighting – an innovation that still inspires our products today.
Relocation to Haigerloch
Theben moves to its current home in Haigerloch, Germany – where most of our products are still made.
Going global
Theben opens its first international subsidiary in France, marking the start of our international growth.
Theben-timer launched
The easy-to-use plug-in time switch becomes a bestseller – with over 33 million units sold.
KNX leadership begins
We join the KNX Association and begin developing intelligent, BUS-capable automation solutions..
Theben HTS established
Through the acquisition of HTS, inventors of the presence detector, we expand our leadership in intelligent sensor technology.
LUXORliving smart home system launches
Our KNX-based smart home system brings simplicity, flexibility and future-readiness to home and building control.
100 years of Theben
We celebrate a century of innovation with a bold vision for the future: Human-Centred Building Automation.
Built on Precision. Backed by Standards.
At Theben, quality isn’t just a promise, it’s part of our process. Every product we design is rigorously tested and inspected to ensure it performs exactly as it should, for years to come.
We’re proud to be a member of sensNORM, the European association setting the benchmark for motion and presence detection in building automation. As part of this group, we’re committed to greater transparency, performance, and planning security, giving professionals and end users alike the confidence they need when specifying products.
Our motion and presence detectors are tested to sensNORM standards in our dedicated sensLAB facility, using methods now recognised under European standard IEC 63180. That means you can rely on our published detection areas and trust our devices to perform exactly as expected, with no surprises on site.
When you choose Theben, you’re choosing quality that’s proven, precision that’s measurable, and automation that works, day in, day out.
