Special-Elektronik
Special-Elektronik is a privately held Swedish system distributor (founded 1970, ~55 staff, six offices) of AV technology, lighting, security, cable-TV, and fiber optic products, serving installers and integrators across Scandinavia with value-added design, support, and certification services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersKarlstad, Sweden
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Special-Elektronik does
Special-Elektronik i Karlstad AB is a privately held Swedish system distributor founded on October 22, 1970, originally as a local antenna installer and now operating as a leading Scandinavian distributor of AV technology, lighting, security, cable-TV, and fiber optic products. The company distributes a portfolio spanning AV-Technology, Lighting, CATV, IP/IT, and Fiber Optics, carrying brands such as Crestron (control and automation), Panasonic (projectors, PTZ cameras, displays), Absen (LED walls), Fohhn, Bosch, Xilica (DSP), VIOSO (projection mapping), Contacta (hearing loop), Genexis (FTTH), Teleste, Triax, and others. It operates six offices across Sweden — Karlstad (headquarters), Uppsala, Malmö, Göteborg, Halmstad, and Umeå — and serves installers, integrators, and end customers in vertical segments including corporate, hotels, churches, private residences, education, museums and events, sports arenas, and healthcare.
The business model combines hardware distribution with value-added services: consulting and system design, logistics and room packing, custom rack and cabinet construction, repair and service, dedicated Crestron support, and a fee-based education program that delivers internationally recognised certifications (Crestron tracks, CTS, and the proprietary Absen Certified Engineer program). Distribution combines direct consultative sales for enterprise projects with a Partnerzone B2B portal for registered channel partners. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, anchored by the recurring Teknikevent flagship event, roadshows across Scandinavia, CANT seminars, ISE trade show participation, and ongoing certification courses.
Ownership is private with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or M&A history. The company employs approximately 55 staff as of 2024 and is led by CEO Åke Larsson, with a management team that includes Per Alsterdal (Group Manager ProAV and supplier manager for Absen) and Ola Petersson (Group Manager). Active strategic activity between 2024 and 2026 — multiple new vendor signings, exclusive distribution agreements (VIOSO, Contacta), training program launches, and steady hiring across sales, marketing, warehouse, and technical roles — signals a company in steady expansion mode rather than a high-growth or distressed profile.
Special-Elektronik firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Special-Elektronik
- Legal name
- Special-Elektronik i Karlstad AB
- Website
- https://specialelektronik.se
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Special-Elektronik is a privately held Swedish system distributor (founded 1970, ~55 staff, six offices) of AV technology, lighting, security, cable-TV, and fiber optic products, serving installers and integrators across Scandinavia with value-added design, support, and certification services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Special-Elektronik industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional AV Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045), Wholesale-Hardware (5072)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail (CRACAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Instrument & Pro Audio Retail (Online/Brick-and-Mortar) (MPAIAJAH), Alarm Systems & Monitoring Kits Retail (CRAIAMAG)
Keywords
Where Special-Elektronik is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Karlstad
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Special-Elektronik business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Distribution: Distribution of professional AV technology, lighting, security, cable-TV and fiber optics products from major global suppliers to installers and integrators across Scandinavia
- Training and Certification Services: Fee-based technical training courses including Crestron certification, Absen LED certification, IP/Ethernet courses, and other technical education programs
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free training with cancellation fee |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Special-Elektronik product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Special-Elektronik is a system distributor of AV technology, lighting, security, cable-TV, and fiber optics serving the Scandinavian market. The company combines products from world-leading global suppliers (Crestron, Panasonic, Absen, Fohhn, etc.) into complete system solutions, supported by in-house services including consulting, system design, logistics, rack construction, repair, and certified training.
Product overview
Special-Elektronik is a leading system distributor operating in the Scandinavian market, offering a comprehensive portfolio of AV technology, lighting, security, cable TV, and fiber technology solutions. The company distributes products from multiple international brands including Crestron (control and automation systems, Flex, DM NVX), Panasonic (professional imaging, PTZ cameras, projectors, PressIT360), Absen (LED walls), Bosch (conference systems), VIOSO (display mapping), Xilica (DSP), and Brighter Lighting (stage lighting). Beyond product distribution, Special-Elektronik provides value-added services including consulting and system design, logistics and room packing, rack/cabinet construction, repair services, Crestron technical support, and professional education/training programs including certifications. The company serves diverse market segments including businesses, hotels, churches, private homes, educational environments, museums and events, sports arenas, and healthcare facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AV-Technology Products
Quantifiable outcome
- Established since 1970 with 55+ years of operation in Scandinavian market
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Special-Elektronik
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Special-Elektronik technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Special-Elektronik partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Brighter LightingcorePartnership focused on professional stage and event lighting, expanding Special-Elektronik's lighting portfolio for entertainment venues.
- BoschcoreAdded Bosch delegate and interpreter systems to their product portfolio for conference and meeting solutions.
- VIOSOcoreSpecial-Elektronik became the exclusive partner for VIOSO in Sweden, offering advanced video calibration and mapping solutions to their Scandinavian customer base.
- XilicacoreSpecial-Elektronik became a new distributor for Xilica's innovative DSP solutions, adding professional audio processing to their portfolio.
- FohhncoreSwedish distributor for Fohhn professional audio systems, meeting quality and environmental standards.
- Contacta SystemscoreExclusive distributor for Contacta Systems in Sweden, offering hearing loop systems and accessibility solutions.
- StormAudiominorExpanded into home cinema market distributing StormAudio processors for high-end residential audio.
- C SEEDminorDistributes C SEED outdoor TVs, including the world's largest outdoor television.
- AbsencoreDistribution agreement with Absen, one of the world's largest exporters of LED walls, for the Swedish market.
- KrixminorAustralian speaker manufacturer distributed in Sweden, offering premium audio solutions for home cinema and commercial applications.
- CrestroncoreMulti-award winning control and automation systems; Special-Elektronik offers certified training and extensive product range
- PanasoniccoreIndustry-leading professional image handling products including projectors, displays, and PTZ cameras
- GenexiscoreFTTH solutions, home gateways, and fiber access equipment for broadband deployment
- TelestecoreCable-TV equipment including headend systems, amplifiers, fiber nodes, and network management
- TriaxcoreReceivers, antennas, amplifiers, and distribution equipment for TV and satellite systems
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Special-Elektronik competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Atea: Largest Nordic IT infrastructure and AV services distributor; directly comparable as a Scandinavian value-added distributor serving enterprise and public-sector customers with combined hardware, services, and integration — overlapping Special-Elektronik's enterprise AV/IP/IT customer base.
- EET Group: Pan-Nordic/European value-added distributor of AV, IT, and consumer electronics; closely comparable to Special-Elektronik as a multi-vendor B2B distributor in the same product categories (Crestron, displays, networking) with a similar integrator-focused channel model.
- Dustin Group: Nordic B2B IT and AV reseller/distributor with strong Scandinavian footprint; comparable as a regional enterprise-focused reseller covering networking, displays, and AV hardware distributed to installers and end-customers.
- Maverick AV Solutions: European specialist AV distributor serving integrators with a comparable portfolio (Crestron, displays, audio); directly comparable business model to Special-Elektronik's value-added AV distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Also Group: Large European B2B technology distributor with broad AV/IT portfolio including Crestron; broader scale and geography than Special-Elektronik but comparable business model of value-added distribution to resellers and integrators.
- Ingram Micro: Global IT and AV distribution incumbent; comparable as a wholesale distributor of electronics, peripherals, and communications equipment across multiple verticals, though at vastly larger scale than Special-Elektronik.
- Exertis: European consumer and B2B technology distributor covering AV, networking, and communications equipment; comparable as a multi-category wholesale distributor of the type of products Special-Elektronik distributes.
- ScanSource: Specialty technology distributor focused on AV, communications, and physical-security solutions; highly comparable product portfolio to Special-Elektronik's AV + security + communications mix, though US-headquartered.
Regional players
- Westcoast: UK-focused value-added IT distributor with similar reseller/integrator channel model; comparable in business model and category mix, but geographically focused on UK rather than Scandinavia.
- Triax (as peer, not partner): European CATV and antenna equipment supplier/distributor with Scandinavian presence; overlaps with Special-Elektronik's cable-TV and fiber-optic distribution business on the operator/installer side.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Special-Elektronik social profiles
Digital presenceSpecial-Elektronik financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Special-Elektronik leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Special-Elektronik funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Special-Elektronik M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Special-Elektronik
What does Special-Elektronik do?
Special-Elektronik is a system distributor of AV technology, lighting, security, cable-TV, and fiber optics serving the Scandinavian market. The company combines products from world-leading global suppliers (Crestron, Panasonic, Absen, Fohhn, etc.) into complete system solutions, supported by in-house services including consulting, system design, logistics, rack construction, repair, and certified training.
Is Special-Elektronik a public or private company?
Special-Elektronik is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Special-Elektronik founded?
Special-Elektronik was founded in 1970. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Special-Elektronik based?
Special-Elektronik is headquartered in Karlstad, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Special-Elektronik make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Distribution is the primary driver. The others are training and Certification Services.
Who are Special-Elektronik's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Atea, EET Group, Dustin Group and Maverick AV Solutions. Broad incumbents are Also Group, Ingram Micro, Exertis and ScanSource. Regional players are Westcoast and Triax (as peer, not partner).
Does Special-Elektronik have an API?
No public API is recorded for Special-Elektronik.
What industry is Special-Elektronik in?
Special-Elektronik's product category is Professional AV Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAKAI, Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail, with a secondary code of MPAIAJAH, Instrument & Pro Audio Retail (Online/Brick-and-Mortar). Its NAICS code is 334220 and its SIC code is 5045.