Grothe

What Grothe does

Grothe, legally operating as Urmet Deutschland GmbH since a 2025 corporate rebrand, is a German manufacturer of building communication, security, and signaling technology founded in 1892 and headquartered in Hennef with 51–100 employees. The company sells intercom systems (ALPHA, MIKRA Comfort Plus with VOG monitors), IP and WLAN video surveillance (KI-Plus AI-enabled bullet/dome sets, Abschreckung active-deterrence cameras), wireless and wired alarm systems, access control (IPassan, Easy Door Controller, eLock cylinders), doorbells (CALIMA series including a Bluetooth hybrid), smart-home modules (Yokis-based), industrial signaling under the Sirena sub-brand, and supporting infrastructure such as transformers and motion detectors. Its technology stack centers on edge AI video analytics for person/vehicle classification, IP-networked cameras up to 5MP with IP66/67 weatherproofing and 30m night vision, GDPR-compliant recording with NVR systems supporting up to 8 cameras and 1TB storage, and 2Voice intercom bus architecture for call forwarding.

The business model is hardware-led one-time product sales at fixed unit prices (e.g., EUR 610–891 per surveillance set) with no disclosed recurring or subscription layer. Distribution is hybrid and directly captured: an owned e-commerce storefront (urmet.de/grothe.de), a German field sales force (Aussendienst) supporting planning through commissioning, and an in-house customer-service center. The customer base spans four segments — private households, SMBs, public institutions, and property management — served exclusively within the DACH region (Germany), with no third-party reseller network disclosed. Differentiators cited in the data are a 5-year warranty, TÜV/ZVEI/BHE certifications, GDPR-compliant surveillance packaging, and an integrated portfolio covering door communication, video, access control, and signaling under one corporate umbrella.

Name

Grothe

Legal name

Urmet Deutschland GmbH

Website

https://grothe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Grothe, now operating as Urmet Deutschland GmbH, is a 130-year-old German manufacturer of intercom, video surveillance, alarm, access control, and smart-home hardware sold primarily to residential, SMB, and public-institution customers in the DACH region through direct e-commerce and a field sales force.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Security and Communication Technology

NAICS

Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

Telephone & Telegraph Apparatus (3661)

akta.pro primary industry

Privacy, Consent & Data Protection Management (BPAEAPAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Model Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (HDAAAKAA)

Keywords

• Video surveillance systems
• Intercom systems
• Access control solutions
• Building security hardware
• Home communication products

Headquarters

HQ city

Hennef

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: One-time sale of physical security and building technology products including video surveillance systems, intercom units, access control devices, alarm systems, doorbells, and related accessories. Products are sold as complete sets with all necessary components.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grothe (now Urmet Deutschland GmbH) manufactures and sells building security and communication technology products, including video intercom systems, IP video surveillance sets with AI analytics, alarm systems, access control devices, wireless and wired doorbells, smart home modules, and industrial signaling equipment. Products are sold as complete sets to trade customers, professional installers, and end consumers in Germany, primarily through the company's own e-commerce storefront and a dedicated field sales force providing on-site support from planning to commissioning.

Product overview

Grothe (now Urmet Deutschland) offers a comprehensive portfolio of building security and communication technology products. The product line centers on video intercom systems (ALPHA, MIKRA Comfort Plus with VOG monitors), video surveillance systems (IP-based with AI capabilities including KI-Plus Bullet/Dome sets, Abschreckung deterrent cameras), wireless doorbells (CALIMA series), alarm systems (wireless and wired), access control (IPassan, Easy Door Controller, eLock cylinders), smart home automation (radio/wired modules), industrial signaling (Sirena brand), and supporting infrastructure (transformers, power supplies, motion detectors). The company positions itself as a full-solution provider for residential and commercial building security, comfort, and building automation needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urmet: The expert for intercom systems and security technology
• Sirena

Products and services

• KI-Plus Bullet SET 1098/901 Complete IP video surveillance set with AI-powered bullet cameras featuring 5MP resolution, intelligent motion detection, person recognition, night vision up to 30m, and weatherproof IP66/67 protection. Sold as a complete kit including NVR, cameras, and mounting accessories for residential and commercial use.
• KI-Plus Dome SET 1098/902 Complete IP video surveillance set with AI-powered dome cameras, intelligent object detection, high-resolution recording, and discreet ceiling or wall mounting options. Sold as a complete kit for residential and commercial surveillance.
• Abschreckung Dome SET 1098/904 Professional surveillance set with two dome cameras featuring active deterrence technology including siren, flashing lights, and voice announcements triggered by motion detection, designed for proactive burglary prevention.
• Abschreckung Bullet SET 1098/903 Professional surveillance set with two bullet cameras featuring active deterrence technology with siren, flashing lights, and voice announcements for proactive burglary prevention in residential and commercial environments.
• WLAN 2.4 GHz SET 1098/820 Wireless video surveillance set with 8-channel NVR, 1TB HDD, and two WLAN IP cameras. Plug-and-play installation without cable routing for indoor and weather-protected outdoor use, targeted at residential and small commercial deployments.
• CALIMA 800 Portable Bluetooth doorbell with charging dock that combines doorbell and Bluetooth speaker functionality in a single device for residential and small office use.
• CALIMA 200 Wireless doorbell and gong set designed for flexible installation in residential properties.
• Comfort Plus Set (MIKRA) Video intercom set including MIKRA outdoor station and VOG 5/5W monitors with integrated call forwarding, designed for modernization of single-family home intercom systems.
• ALPHA Door Station Modern video intercom outdoor door station with stylish design and versatile features for residential and multi-tenant building entrances.
• IPassan Access control system for secure building entry management in commercial and multi-tenant residential properties.
• Easy Door Controller Door controller for access control management in residential and commercial buildings.
• eLock Schließzylinder Electronic lock cylinder providing keyless access control for residential and commercial doors.
• Alarmanlagen (Alarm Systems) Complete alarm system product line including wireless (Funkalarmanlagen) and wired (Verdrahtete Alarmanlagen) variants with accessories, for residential and commercial intrusion detection.
• Smart Home Modules Smart home products including radio modules, wired modules, radio transmitters, smart home sets, and Yokis accessories for residential building automation.
• Industriesignalisation (Industrial Signaling) Industrial signaling product line including horns and signal bells, modular system M, warning pillar system T, strobe/warning lights, and rotating mirror lights, sold under the Sirena sub-brand for industrial and commercial applications.
• Transformers and Power Supplies Power solutions including doorbell transformers (Klingeltransformatoren), safety transformers (Sicherheitstransformatoren), and DC power supplies (Gleichspannungsnetzgeräte) for building technology installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30m night vision range
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Lupus Electronics: German provider of smart-home alarm, video surveillance, and Z-Wave-based building automation. Overlaps with Grothe's smart-home and alarm categories but is more software/ecosystem-centric, targeting retrofit residential and SMB customers.

Broad incumbents

• Axis Communications: Global leader in network video surveillance and access-control solutions with strong presence in European commercial and public-sector markets. Directly comparable technology and target segments to Grothe's KI-Plus surveillance line, but at significantly larger scale.
• Bosch Security Systems: Global incumbent offering IP video surveillance, intrusion detection, access control, and intercom systems for commercial and enterprise customers. Overlaps with Grothe's portfolio but at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Hikvision: World's largest video surveillance manufacturer with broad AI-analytics-enabled camera and NVR portfolio. Competes with Grothe's KI-Plus surveillance sets on features and price, dominating volume share in residential/SMB globally.

Direct peers

• TCS TürControlSysteme: German specialist in door intercom, video intercom, and access-control systems for residential and commercial buildings. Direct overlap with Grothe's intercom and access-control categories within the German trade and property-management segments.
• DoorBird (Bird Home Automation): Berlin-based manufacturer of IP video door intercoms with smartphone integration, targeted at single-family and multi-tenant homes. Competes with Grothe's MIKRA and ALPHA video intercom lines in the German premium-residential and modern-retrofit segment.
• Siedle: German manufacturer of door intercom, video intercom, and building communication systems for residential and commercial properties. Directly comparable to Grothe/Urmet Deutschland in intercom portfolio, German trade-channel focus, and premium-quality positioning.
• Ritto (Schneider Electric): German intercom and door-communication brand owned by Schneider Electric, offering video intercom sets and access solutions. Comparable product-by-product to Grothe's intercom portfolio and serves overlapping German installer channels.
• Gira: German manufacturer of intercom systems, KNX-based smart-home/building automation, and electrical installation products. Closely matches Grothe in residential intercom, video door communication, and integrated smart-home offerings for the DACH market.
• ABUS (August Bremmermann Söhne): German security-technology manufacturer offering video surveillance, alarm systems, access control, and mechanical locking. Direct competitor in camera, alarm, and access-control categories with comparable DACH trade-channel presence.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/urmet.deutschland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grothe-gmbh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Grothe