althen controls
Althen Controls is a Netherlands-based manufacturer of industrial joystick controllers, foot pedals, and position feedback sensors, serving OEMs in maritime, medical, aerospace/defence, industrial automation, and automotive sectors across Europe and North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersRijswijk, Netherlands
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What althen controls does
Althen Controls (legally ALTHEN BV Sensors & Controls) is a Netherlands-based private manufacturer of industrial joystick controllers, foot pedals, and position feedback sensors used in machinery, automation, and specialized OEM equipment. The product portfolio spans mini, finger, hand, multi-operational cobra, marine, and ATEX-certified joysticks; industrial foot pedals; linear position sensors (potentiometers, magnetic Hall sensors, incremental encoders, magnetostrictive, draw-wire); rotary position sensors (encoders, Hall sensors, multi/single-turn potentiometers, oil-filled, Sin/Cos, motor, turns-counting dials); and propeller shaft earthing systems for maritime vessels. Underlying technologies span contact (potentiometer) and non-contact (Hall effect, magnetostrictive, magnetic incremental) sensing principles, with products rated for IP67 sealing, 3–5 million mechanical cycles on joysticks, and 10 million cycles on position sensors, plus ATEX/IECEx certification for hazardous zones.
The company operates a sales-led, direct enterprise go-to-market model through five wholly-owned regional subsidiaries in the Netherlands (HQ, Rijswijk), Germany (Kelkheim), France (Carpentras), the USA (Oceanside), and Sweden (Norrtälje, opened May 2026). Technical sales engineers provide application-level advice and quotation-based pricing; the company does not publish list prices. Revenue is generated almost entirely from hardware sales, including standard catalog products and fully customized OEM solutions in small series. The customer base spans industrial automation (ABB, Alstom, Liebherr, ASML), medical and pharmaceutical (Sunrise Medical, Philips Healthcare, Robocath), aerospace and defence (Airbus Defence and Space, Grabba), automotive (Audi, Goodyear), maritime and offshore (BlueNav, IHC-IQIP, MARIN), and research (TNO). The company holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, JOSCAR, and ATEX/IECEx certifications supporting its claims of over 75 years of proven track record in industrial controls and measurement solutions.
althen controls firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- althen controls
- Legal name
- ALTHEN BV Sensors & Controls
- Website
- https://althencontrols.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Althen Controls is a Netherlands-based manufacturer of industrial joystick controllers, foot pedals, and position feedback sensors, serving OEMs in maritime, medical, aerospace/defence, industrial automation, and automotive sectors across Europe and North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
althen controls industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Control Equipment
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Game Controllers, Joysticks & Flight/Driving Sim Controls (HDACAFAC)
Keywords
Where althen controls is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rijswijk
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
althen controls business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industrial Joystick Controllers: Sale of standard and customized industrial joystick controllers including mini joysticks, finger joysticks, hand joysticks, multi-operational cobra joysticks, marine joysticks, and ATEX-certified joysticks for hazardous environments.
- Position Feedback Sensors: Sale of linear and rotary position sensors including linear potentiometers, linear magnetic Hall sensors, incremental linear encoders, magnetostrictive sensors, draw-wire sensors, rotary encoders, and multi-turn/single-turn potentiometers.
- Propeller Shaft Earthing Systems: Sale of PSE (Propeller Shaft Earthing) system components for maritime vessels to protect propellers and shaft bearings from spark erosion damage.
- Customized Solutions: Tailor-made or fully customized joystick controllers and position feedback sensors for specific OEM applications, including small series production.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
althen controls product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Althen Controls manufactures and supplies industrial joysticks, foot pedals, and linear and rotary position sensors for machinery and automation systems. Its portfolio also includes propeller shaft earthing systems, hazardous-area certified components, and fully customized joystick and sensor solutions for OEM applications, including small-series production.
Product overview
Althen Controls provides industrial joystick controllers and position feedback sensors. The product portfolio consists of industrial joysticks (including mini, finger, hand, multi-operational cobra, marine, and ATEX variants), industrial foot pedals, linear position sensors (potentiometers, magnetic Hall sensors, incremental encoders, magnetostrictive, draw-wire), rotary position sensors (encoders, Hall sensors, multi/single-turn potentiometers, oil-filled, Sin/Cos, motor, turns-counting dials), propeller shaft earthing systems, and custom-tailored solutions. Products range from standard off-the-shelf components to fully customized designs, with certifications including ATEX/IECEx for hazardous environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Metesco: Weighing and dosing solutions including load cells, modules, and electronic weighing transmitters
- SmartBrick
- Althen Academy
Products and services
- Industrial Joysticks Precision joystick controllers for industrial applications, offered in mini, finger, hand, multi-operational cobra, marine, and ATEX-certified variants, including options for hazardous environments.
- MHS Series 5-way switching joystick A compact joystick for demanding environments with 4-way or 8-way control, an optional top pushbutton, and IP67 sealing above the panel.
- HE2 Series Hall-effect fingertip joystick A robust multi-axis Hall-effect fingertip joystick with up to three axes, IP67 sealing, a service life of up to five million cycles, and USB or analog output options.
- RT1 Series sealed toggle switch An industrial single-axis mini joystick with an SPDT switch for machine control, featuring IP67 sealing, an operating range from -30°C to +85°C, and a minimum of 50,000 mechanical and electrical operations.
- SS1 Series miniature Hall effect mini joystick A compact contactless Hall-effect switching joystick with IP67 sealing and a service life of up to five million cycles.
- SS2 Series compact mini joystick switch A compact panel-mount joystick switch available with two, four, or eight switching positions and IP67 sealing above the panel.
- Industrial Foot Pedals Reliable industrial foot pedals designed for heavy-vehicle control applications.
- Linear Position Sensors Sensors for measuring position, displacement, and distance, including linear potentiometers, magnetic Hall sensors, incremental encoders, magnetostrictive sensors, and draw-wire sensors.
- MPS Magnetic Linear Incremental Encoder A magnetic non-contact linear incremental encoder for press brakes with a 150-2000mm measuring range, 5µm standard resolution, and LED status indicators.
- Rotary Position Sensors Compact rotary sensors including rotary encoders, magnetic Hall sensors, multi-turn and single-turn potentiometers, oil-filled potentiometers, Sin/Cos potentiometers, motor potentiometers, and turns-counting dials.
- Propeller Shaft Earthing Systems Systems for ships and vessels that protect propeller shafts and bearings from electrical damage by preventing spark erosion and reducing maintenance requirements.
- Customized Industrial Joystick Controllers Tailor-made or fully customized joystick controller solutions designed for specific OEM applications.
- Customized Position Feedback Sensors Custom sensor solutions for position-feedback applications, including single or multiple stacked potentiometers designed for at least 10 million mechanical cycles.
Quantifiable outcome
- MHS Series joystick provides up to 3 million mechanical cycles
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use althen controls
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
althen controls technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
althen controls partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- ABBminorIndustrial automation partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- Airbus Defence and SpaceminorAerospace and defence partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- AlstomminorTransportation and rail partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- ASMLminorSemiconductor equipment partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- Sunrise MedicalcoreHealthcare equipment partner for joystick controls in powered wheelchairs. Collaboration on Micro-Guide joystick reengineering project.
- BlueNavcoreMaritime electric propulsion partner. Collaboration integrating HE2 joystick into BlueSpin electric propulsion system.
- GrabbacoreDefence and industrial technology partner. Integration of dual TSD joysticks into Mozzie UAS Ground Control Station.
- RobocathcoreMedical robotics start-up partner. Dual joystick integration in R-One robotic catheterization system.
- Philips HealthcareminorMedical imaging partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- LiebherrminorHeavy machinery partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- IHC-IQIPminorOffshore and maritime equipment partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- AudiminorAutomotive partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- GoodyearminorAutomotive and tire partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
- MARINminorMaritime research institute partner appearing in Althen's customer/partner showcase section.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
althen controls competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RAFI: RAFI manufactures electromechanical human-machine-interface components, switches, control panels, and joysticks for industrial and medical equipment. Its customized operator-control offering closely overlaps Althen's joystick and OEM integration model.
- Elobau: Elobau supplies operator controls, joysticks, sensors, and safety products for machinery, mobile equipment, and medical applications. Its combination of joysticks and machine-control components is directly comparable to Althen's core portfolio.
- APEM: APEM develops human-machine interface components, including industrial joysticks, switches, keypads, and control devices for industrial, medical, and transportation applications. It is a close product-category peer to Althen's industrial joystick portfolio.
- SICK: SICK provides industrial sensors, encoders, safety systems, and automation solutions across factory and process environments. Its position-sensing and automation portfolio overlaps with Althen's sensor and control-integration offering, although SICK operates at broader scale.
- Novotechnik: Novotechnik specializes in linear and rotary position sensors, angle sensors, and measurement solutions for industrial automation. It is a direct technology and application peer for Althen's position-feedback sensor business.
Broad incumbents
- TE Connectivity: TE Connectivity offers sensors, connectors, and harsh-environment electronics for industrial, aerospace, and medical applications. It is a broader incumbent whose position-sensing and rugged-connectivity products overlap with Althen's control and sensing portfolio.
- Curtiss-Wright: Curtiss-Wright provides aerospace and defence control systems, sensors, and motion-control products for mission-critical platforms. It is a broad incumbent and a useful comparator for Althen's JOSCAR, defence, and safety-critical applications.
- Pepperl+Fuchs: Pepperl+Fuchs specializes in industrial sensors and intrinsic-safety and hazardous-area automation components. Its hazardous-area certification and sensor portfolio make it a strong adjacent incumbent for Althen's ATEX-certified controls and offshore applications.
- Balluff: Balluff manufactures industrial sensors, position sensors, encoders, and connectivity products for factory automation. It is relevant to Althen's position-feedback and machinery-control applications, although its portfolio is broader.
- Baumer: Baumer supplies industrial sensors, encoders, process instrumentation, and automation solutions. Its rotary and linear measurement and machinery-sensing products provide a relevant product and customer-set comparison to Althen.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
althen controls social profiles
Digital presencealthen controls compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
althen controls financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
althen controls leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
althen controls subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
althen controls funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
althen controls 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 althen controls
What does althen controls do?
Althen Controls manufactures and supplies industrial joysticks, foot pedals, and linear and rotary position sensors for machinery and automation systems. Its portfolio also includes propeller shaft earthing systems, hazardous-area certified components, and fully customized joystick and sensor solutions for OEM applications, including small-series production.
Is althen controls a public or private company?
althen controls is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was althen controls founded?
althen controls was founded in -1.
Where is althen controls based?
althen controls is headquartered in Rijswijk, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does althen controls make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Industrial Joystick Controllers are the primary driver. The others are position Feedback Sensors, propeller Shaft Earthing Systems and customized Solutions.
Who are althen controls's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RAFI, Elobau, APEM, SICK and Novotechnik. Broad incumbents are TE Connectivity, Curtiss-Wright, Pepperl+Fuchs, Balluff and Baumer.
Does althen controls have an API?
No public API is recorded for althen controls.
What industry is althen controls in?
althen controls's product category is Industrial Control Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGABAG, Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers), with a secondary code of HDACAFAC, Game Controllers, Joysticks & Flight/Driving Sim Controls. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3560.