Pollin Electronic
Pollin Electronic is a German e-commerce retailer selling consumer electronics, components, developer boards, and own-brand hobbyist kits online and through a Pförring retail store, serving both private consumers and business customers across the DACH region and Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersPförring, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Pollin Electronic does
Pollin Electronic GmbH is a German e-commerce retailer of consumer electronics, electronic components, and technical products, headquartered in Pförring, Germany, and operating for over 40 years under family ownership with Max Pollin as CEO. The company runs the pollin.de online storefront alongside a physical Electronic Center at its headquarters, plus iOS and Android mobile apps, serving both private customers (B2C) and business customers (B2B) via a dedicated [email protected] channel and quick-order tooling. Its product portfolio spans roughly a dozen categories including developer boards (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ODROID, Banana Pi, Beaglebone, Joy-it), computer and phone peripherals, lighting technology, home and garden electronics, satellite/TV/audio, workshop and automotive, power supply, measurement technology, electronic components, and refurbished/B-warehouse goods, supplemented by its own-brand Pollin-Bausatz hobbyist electronic kits.
On the services side, Pollin offers custom PCB manufacturing (Leiterplattenservice) and 3D printing, which extend its role beyond pure retail into prototyping support for hobbyists and small developers. Distribution is supported by a modern logistics center enabling 1-3 business day delivery, with WEEE, battery, and packaging compliance registrations already secured in eight European countries, suggesting cross-border DACH-plus capability. Marketing is driven through the e-commerce site, email newsletter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, the "Faszination Elektronik" educational blog, mobile apps, and third-party trust certifications (EHI, Trust Ecommerce Europe, Green E-Commerce). Pricing is standard retail with VAT included plus separate shipping, with payment options covering prepayment, PayPal, SEPA direct debit, credit card, invoice, Amazon Pay, cash on delivery, and Apple Pay. Discounted inventory is channeled through the Fundgrube bargain corner and refurbished/B-warehouse sections, supporting a cost-conscious positioning versus generalist electronics retailers.
Pollin Electronic firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pollin Electronic
- Legal name
- Pollin Electronic GmbH
- Website
- https://pollin.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Pollin Electronic is a German e-commerce retailer selling consumer electronics, components, developer boards, and own-brand hobbyist kits online and through a Pförring retail store, serving both private consumers and business customers across the DACH region and Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pollin Electronic industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Electronics Retail
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (335210)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Printed Circuit Boards (3672), Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Household Appliances (3630), Electronic Computers (3571)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Semiconductors, ICs & Microcontrollers Retail (CRACAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- PCB, Prototyping Boards & Etching Supplies Retail (CRACAKAF), Smart Lighting & Electrical (Bulbs, Switches, Plugs) Retail (CRACAGAB), ITAD, Electronics Recycling & Parts Harvesting Retail (CRACAJAF)
Keywords
Where Pollin Electronic is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pförring
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pollin Electronic business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Retail Electronics Sales: Pollin Electronic generates revenue through the sale of electronics products across diverse categories including computer & telephone, developer boards, lighting technology, home & garden, Sat/TV/Audio, workshop & automotive, power supply, measurement technology, electronic components, and refurbished/B-grade goods. Products are sold at fixed prices with VAT included plus shipping costs. The company operates on a traditional retail model with both online and physical storefront presence.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing with VAT included plus shipping |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Pollin Electronic product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pollin Electronic operates a multi-category electronics retail and distribution business through its own e-commerce platform pollin.de and a physical Electronic Center in Pförring, Germany. The company sells consumer electronics, computer and phone peripherals, electronic components, developer boards (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ODROID, etc.), lighting, home and garden electronics, measurement technology, and tools, complemented by in-house services such as custom PCB manufacturing (Leiterplattenservice) and 3D printing (3D-Druckservice).
Product overview
Pollin Electronic is a German electronics e-commerce retailer and distributor offering a broad portfolio of electronics products, components, and services. The product range is organized as a multi-category retail platform rather than a unified software product — it encompasses both third-party branded merchandise and limited own-brand offerings. The core portfolio includes: developer boards (ODROID, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Joy-it, Banana Pi, Beaglebone) with associated accessories (cases, displays, power supplies, cooling fans); computer and phone peripherals; lighting technology; home and garden equipment including smart home devices; satellite/TV/audio electronics; workshop tools and automotive accessories; power supply components (batteries, chargers, power supplies); measurement technology; electronic components (active/passive components, motors, displays, enclosures); refurbished/B-warehouse items; and closeout bargains. Pollin's own-brand products include Pollin-Bausatz electronic construction kits for hobbyists and educational purposes. Service offerings include custom PCB manufacturing (Leiterplattenservice) and 3D printing services (3D-Druckservice).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Computer & Telefon (Computers & Phones) Broad retail category offering notebooks, tablets, desktop PCs and components (cases, motherboards, CPUs, memory, expansion cards, drives, power supplies, software, UPS), storage media (SSDs, HDDs, USB drives, memory cards), input/output devices (monitors, keyboards, mice, webcams, headsets, speakers), WLAN equipment (routers, repeaters, adapters, access points), networking gear (cables, fiber optics, switches), USB devices, office supplies, and mobile/landline phones.
- Lichttechnik (Lighting Technology) Interior and exterior lighting products including indoor luminaires, outdoor floodlights, light sources/sockets, LED technology (bulbs, strips, controllers), and lighting accessories (power supplies, dimmers, motion detectors, control units) for private and business customers.
- Haus & Garten (Home & Garden) Home technology products including smart home devices (Homematic IP), security cameras, smoke detectors, alarm systems, electrical installation, climate control (heaters, air conditioners, air purifiers, fans, humidifiers, weather stations), garden equipment (lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, irrigation), kitchen appliances, household goods, personal care, and camping/recreation items.
- Sat / TV / Audio Satellite and antenna technology (satellite packages, LNBs, multiswitches, terrestrial antennas), receivers (DVB-S, DVB-T/C), TV/video (LED TVs, projectors, DVD/Blu-ray players), audio/HiFi (amplifiers, stereo systems, DAB/UKW/internet radios, turntables, MP3/CD players), speakers, headphones/microphones, car audio, and connectors.
- Werkstatt & KFZ (Workshop & Automotive) Power tools (cordless drills, grinders, chainsaws, compressors), hand tools (pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, tool sets), soldering equipment, hardware (screws, nuts, hinges), workshop supplies (sprays, adhesives, storage, safety gear), car accessories (battery, cables, lighting, navigation/cameras), model building, and bicycle accessories.
- Stromversorgung (Power Supply) Batteries (alkaline, zinc-carbon, button cells, lithium), rechargeable batteries (NiMH, Li-ion, LiPo, NiCd, lead-acid), power stations, battery chargers (universal, USB, wireless), power supplies (plug-in, adjustable, fixed voltage), voltage converters (inverters, DC/DC converters), and transformers.
- Messtechnik (Measurement Technology) Measurement instruments including multimeters, temperature meters, distance meters, oscilloscopes, panel meters/counters (analog and digital), impulse counters, and measurement accessories (leads, tips, clamps) for technicians, engineers, and hobbyists.
- Bauelemente (Electronic Components) Electronic components including active components (ICs, LEDs, transistors, diodes, voltage regulators, sensors/Peltier elements, tubes, displays, optocouplers, microcontrollers), passive components (capacitors, resistors, crystals/oscillators, fuses), enclosures (plastic, metal), motors (DC, gear, stepper), fans (AC, DC), pumps (water, air), mechanical components (relays, switches, heat sinks), technology kits/modules, education products, and soldering/assembly kits.
- ODROID Single-Board Computers & Accessories ODROID line of single-board computers and accessories including ODROID-C1, ODROID-C4, ODROID-N2+, ODROID-H3, ODROID-H4 boards and associated peripherals such as TFT displays (VU7A Plus 7-inch, VU12 12.3-inch ultrawide), enclosures, cooling solutions, motor driver boards, and audio amplifier boards.
- Raspberry Pi Single-Board Computers & Accessories Raspberry Pi single-board computers and accessories including boards, cases, displays, sets, cooling fans, and power supplies sold through Pollin Electronic's developer boards category for hobbyists, developers, and educators.
- Arduino Boards & Accessories Arduino development boards and accessories including Arduino Einplatinen PCs & -Boards, Arduino-Sets, and Arduino-Gehäuse & -Zubehör. Pollin also sells Arduino PRO Portenta Mid Carrier expansion boards for industrial automation applications.
- Other Developer Boards (Joy-it, Banana Pi, Cubie Board, Beaglebone) Additional developer board brands sold under the 'Weitere Entwicklerboards' category, including Joy-it, Banana Pi, Cubie Board, and Beaglebone single-board computers and related modules.
- Pollin-Bausatz (Own-Brand Electronic Kits) Pollin Electronic's own brand of electronic construction kits and learning packages for beginners and hobbyists. Categories include audio/music, computer/PC, decoration/light effects, measurement/sensor technology, circuits/automation, security/alarm, games/entertainment, power supply/batteries, and control/drive kits.
- Refurbished / B-Ware (Refurbished & Clearance) Refurbished and B-warehouse products including used notebooks, PCs, tablet PCs, monitors, hard drives, storage/networking equipment, phones and accessories, and household/leisure items at discounted prices.
- Fundgrube (Bargain Corner) Closeout and surplus items sold at discounted prices as single pieces while supplies last.
- Leiterplattenservice (PCB Service) Custom printed circuit board manufacturing service offered by Pollin Electronic, allowing customers to order bespoke PCBs for prototyping and small-batch production.
- 3D-Druckservice (3D Printing Service) 3D printing service offered by Pollin Electronic for custom manufactured parts, allowing customers to order bespoke 3D-printed components.
Companies that use Pollin Electronic
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Pollin Electronic technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Pollin Electronic partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- IdealominorIdealo is a price comparison platform partnership. Pollin Electronic appears as an Idealo partner (Idealo Partner), allowing the company to be featured in price comparisons and potentially drive additional customer traffic through the Idealo marketplace.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pollin Electronic competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Voelkner: German online retailer of electronics, components, and technical products, owned by the same group as Conrad. Overlaps significantly with Pollin on catalog (components, tools, lighting, consumer electronics) and on the German B2C/B2B online electronics buyer.
- TME (Transfer Multisort Elektronik): European-based electronics distributor with a massive catalog of components, connectors, and electromechanical parts sold primarily to B2B customers across Europe. Comparable to Pollin on the components side and on European reach, with a stronger B2B/industrial orientation.
- Conrad Electronic: German electronics retailer and distributor with a broad portfolio of components, tools, developer boards, and consumer electronics, serving both private and business customers via online and physical stores. Directly comparable to Pollin in catalog breadth, dual B2B/B2C motion, and DACH focus, but with a larger footprint and more developed B2B offering.
- Reichelt Elektronik: One of Pollin's closest direct competitors, Reichelt is a German e-commerce electronics retailer offering semiconductors, components, developer boards, and PC peripherals to both B2C and B2B customers. Highly comparable in product mix, target customer (German hobbyists, technicians, SMBs), and online-first distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- Mouser Electronics: Global authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components with a strong presence in Germany. Comparable to Pollin's Bauelemente (components) business, with a far broader catalog and stronger B2B/engineering customer base, but less consumer/maker exposure.
- Farnell / element14: Global distributor of electronic components, developer boards (including Raspberry Pi and Arduino), and test & measurement tools, with a German-language site. Comparable to Pollin in components and maker/developer focus, with stronger international B2B reach.
- Digi-Key Electronics: Global electronic components distributor with localized German storefront. Highly comparable on components, developer boards, and B2B service levels, but operates at a much larger global scale and does not focus on consumer electronics or DIY kits.
- Amazon Germany: Dominant German online marketplace including electronics, components, and developer boards. While not a specialist, Amazon is the principal competitive threat on price, assortment, and delivery speed across nearly every Pollin category.
Emerging players
- ELV / eQ-3: German electronics retailer and Homematic IP smart home manufacturer with strong overlap on home & garden electronics, smart home, and measurement/sensor products. Comparable to Pollin's smart home and Messtechnik categories.
- BerryBase: Germany-based online specialist focused on Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and maker/developer boards plus accessories. Comparable to Pollin's Entwicklerboards category and a meaningful overlap with the maker/developer customer segment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pollin Electronic social profiles
Digital presencePollin Electronic financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pollin Electronic leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Pollin Electronic funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pollin Electronic 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 Pollin Electronic
What does Pollin Electronic do?
Pollin Electronic operates a multi-category electronics retail and distribution business through its own e-commerce platform pollin.de and a physical Electronic Center in Pförring, Germany. The company sells consumer electronics, computer and phone peripherals, electronic components, developer boards (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ODROID, etc.), lighting, home and garden electronics, measurement technology, and tools, complemented by in-house services such as custom PCB manufacturing (Leiterplattenservice) and 3D printing (3D-Druckservice).
Is Pollin Electronic a public or private company?
Pollin Electronic is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Pollin Electronic founded?
Pollin Electronic was founded in 1995. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Pollin Electronic based?
Pollin Electronic is headquartered in Pförring, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Pollin Electronic make money?
One revenue line is on record: retail Electronics Sales.
Who are Pollin Electronic's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Voelkner, TME (Transfer Multisort Elektronik), Conrad Electronic and Reichelt Elektronik. Broad incumbents are Mouser Electronics, Farnell / element14, Digi-Key Electronics and Amazon Germany. Emerging players are ELV / eQ-3 and BerryBase.
Does Pollin Electronic have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pollin Electronic.
What industry is Pollin Electronic in?
Pollin Electronic's product category is Consumer Electronics Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAKAB, Semiconductors, ICs & Microcontrollers Retail, with a secondary code of CRACAKAF, PCB, Prototyping Boards & Etching Supplies Retail. Its NAICS code is 33441 and its SIC code is 3600.