What Grasslin does

Grässlin Zeitschalttechnik GmbH is a privately held German manufacturer of time-switch technology, light control products, and operating-hour counters, headquartered at Leopoldstraße 1 in St. Georgen in the Black Forest region. Founded in the mid-1950s (with a 70-year anniversary celebrated in 2025-2026), the company employs between 101 and 250 people and is led by managing directors Max Essers and Robertino Saupp. Its core time-switch portfolio spans DIN-rail distribution timers (talento series), universal surface-mount and front-panel timers (tactic series), timer modules (FM/FMD series), and plug-in outlet timers (topica series), supported by light-control SKUs (trim dimmers, talis motion detectors, turnus stairwell timers, twilight switches, time relays) and a taxxo sub-brand of hour counters. Architecture and form-factor standardization around DIN-rail, surface-mount, and front-panel mounting make its products direct drop-ins for European electrical cabinets and building-automation retrofits.

The product line has migrated from purely analog synchronous and quartz-driven devices to a connected smart family: the talento smart series (Bluetooth 4.0, iOS/Android app, up to 500 event memory entries, PIN protection, astro/sunrise-sunset programs) and the 2026-introduced talento smart LAN variant (€285.99) which adds centralized LAN-based remote management across multiple installed devices. Proprietary technical differentiators include zero-crossing switching for relay longevity, integrated astronomical control, and Bluetooth programming that eliminates physical access to the device. The company maintains iOS and Android apps ("talento smart") but exposes no public APIs, SDKs, or third-party integrations beyond installer PC software and a Splashtop-based remote-support tool.

Grässlin monetizes through unit-pricing hardware sales, with SKUs ranging from approximately €25 (motion detectors) to €286 (smart LAN devices). Go-to-market is predominantly direct-to-consumer via the bilingual (German/English) graesslin.de e-commerce shop, supplemented by an international country-representative (Ländervertretung) channel for distribution and a separate OEM stream offering labeled standard products through fully customized OEM designs. Customers span building-automation and smart-home users, industrial and commercial machine-control buyers, agriculture and horticulture operators, and electrical installers primarily in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), with international reach extended through the partner network and trade-show presence such as Light + Building 2026.

Name

Grasslin

Legal name

Grässlin Zeitschalttechnik GmbH

Website

https://graesslin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Grässlin Zeitschalttechnik GmbH is a German manufacturer of time switches, light control devices, and hour counters. It sells analog and Bluetooth/LAN-connected smart products through direct e-commerce and a country representative network, serving building automation, industrial, agriculture, and installer segments across DACH and international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Automation Products

NAICS

Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Smart Lighting & Controls Retail (Smart Switches, Dimmers, Hubs) (CRAIAHAF)

Keywords

• Time switch technology
• Light control systems
• Building automation products
• DIN rail timers
• Operating hour counters

Headquarters

HQ city

Sankt Georgen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Sale of time switch devices, light control products, hour meters, and accessories directly through e-commerce shop and via country representative network. Products range from simple analog timers (under €30) to advanced smart devices (up to €280+).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Grässlin designs and manufactures time switches (analog and digital, DIN-rail, universal, plug-in, and smart Bluetooth/LAN-enabled), light control products (dimmers, motion detectors, stairwell timers, twilight switches, time relays), and electromechanical hour counters under the taxxo brand. The company sells its products through its own e-commerce shop, through country representatives internationally, and offers OEM customisation services, targeting residential, commercial, industrial, and building-automation applications.

Product overview

Grässlin Zeitschalttechnik GmbH offers a comprehensive portfolio of time switch technology and building automation products. The core offering consists of time switch technology (Verteilerschaltuhren/DIN rail time switches, Universalschaltuhren/universal time switches, timer modules, and plug-in timers), light control systems (dimmers, motion detectors, stairwell timers, twilight switches, time relays), and hour counters. The product line includes both analog devices with synchronous or quartz drives and digital smart variants. The connected product lines (talento smart, talento smart LAN, tactic smart) feature Bluetooth connectivity and mobile app programming for iOS and Android, with LAN variants enabling centralized management. Supporting products include room thermostats, accessories, plug systems, and OEM/custom solutions. The company operates as a 70-year-old German manufacturer based in St. Georgen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• taxxo: A sub-brand of hour counters (Betriebsstundenzähler) including models such as taxxo 112, taxxo 612, taxxo 712, taxxo 100, taxxo 403, and taxxo 9403.

Products and services

• Verteilerschaltuhren (talento series) DIN rail-mountable distribution time switches for automated scheduling of electrical loads in building automation. Available in analog and digital variants with 1 or 2 channels, supporting daily, weekly, annual, and astro programs.
• Universalschaltuhren (tactic series) Universal time switches configurable for surface-mount, front-panel, or DIN-rail installation, used in switchgear, machine controls, swimming pool controls, and sprinkler systems.
• Zeitschaltmodule (FM/FMD series) Timer modules for integration into existing electrical systems, with the FMD smart variant supporting Bluetooth connectivity for app-based programming.
• Steckdosenzeitschaltuhren (topica series) Plug-in timer switches inserted into standard electrical outlets to control connected devices, offered in standard and smart variants with Bluetooth connectivity.
• Dimmer (trim series) Light dimming devices for controlling brightness of compatible lighting loads, available in 100, 200, and 300 watt models with LED compensation modules.
• Bewegungsmelder (talis MC/M series) Motion detectors for automated lighting control based on presence detection, offered in ceiling-mounted (MC) and standard (M) variants with multiple detection angles and channel configurations.
• Treppenlichtzeitschalter (turnus series) Stairwell timer switches that automatically turn off lighting after a preset delay period, available in A and E variants.
• Dämmerungsschalter (turnus/trealux series) Twilight switches that activate lighting based on ambient light levels, including the analog turnus 200 and trealux 510/450 series for outdoor and indoor use.
• Zeitrelais (tako MF, telt series) Time relays for delayed switching and timing functions in electrical control circuits.
• Betriebsstundenzähler (taxxo series) Hour counters (taxxo sub-brand) for tracking operating time of machines and equipment, available in models 100, 112, 403, 612, 712, and 9403 with varying display and mounting options.
• talento smart series Smart digital time switches with Bluetooth connectivity, programmable via iOS and Android mobile apps, featuring weekly, annual, and astro programs, PIN protection, and up to 500 memory events on C-series models.
• talento smart LAN LAN-connected variant of the talento smart series enabling centralised management and remote control of multiple digital time switches from a single interface.
• tactic smart series Smart universal time switches in surface-mount (A) and front-panel (E) form factors with Bluetooth connectivity and astro functionality for building automation applications.
• Room Thermostats Room temperature control devices for precise climate management in residential and commercial buildings.
• OEM Solutions Customised original equipment manufacturing services offering labeled standard products through to fully bespoke OEM designs for specific customer requirements.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Country Representatives (Ländervertretung)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational network of official country representatives who distribute Grässlin products in their respective countries. Partners can become official Grässlin representatives for their country through the 'Partner werden' (Become a Partner) program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hager Group: Hager is a German/French major in electrical installation systems, distribution boards, and building automation. Its timer, dimmer, and KNX offerings compete with Grässlin across commercial and residential channels, but as part of a much wider portfolio.
• Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric offers industrial control, timer relays, and EcoStruxure building automation. Its industrial-control and KNX lighting lines compete with Grässlin's time-switch and light-control products in commercial and industrial accounts.
• Eaton: Eaton manufactures timing relays, control components, and lighting-control devices for industrial and building applications. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps Grässlin's industrial-timer and relay portfolio, particularly in machine and equipment builders.
• ABB: ABB's Smart Buildings division offers KNX-based lighting controls, motion detectors, and DIN-rail timing devices. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps Grässlin's light-control and building-automation product range, particularly through ABB/Busch-Jaeger brands.
• Legrand: Legrand is a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructure, with extensive lighting-control, dimmer, and automation product lines. It overlaps Grässlin's smart dimmer and motion-detector categories as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Siemens' Smart Infrastructure business includes GAMMA building-control timers, dimmers, and lighting-control systems. It is a large incumbent competing with Grässlin in commercial and industrial building automation projects.

Direct peers

• Eltako GmbH: Eltako is a German specialist in wireless and EnOcean-based smart-home actuators, dimmers, and timer modules. It is a direct peer in smart-switching and lighting-control technology, with a comparable size and DACH installer focus.
• Theben AG: Theben is a German specialist in time switches, twilight switches, presence detectors and KNX building automation, headquartered in Haigerloch. It is the closest head-to-head peer to Grässlin in DIN-rail timers, staircase timers, and dimmers for the DACH installer market.
• Finder S.p.A. Finder is an Italian manufacturer of relays, timers, and smart energy-management modules sold globally through electrical distributors. It competes directly with Grässlin's universal time switches, DIN-rail timers, and light-control relay products.
• Crouzet (Custom Sensors & Technology): Crouzet manufactures timers, control relays, and solid-state switching devices for industrial and building applications. It is a like-for-like peer in time switches and industrial control relays, with comparable size and European footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grasslin