Two cyclists wearing helmets ride on red pavement in front of a modern office building with large glass windows.

Our History

Your lighting ideas made real

How did we start and what does the future hold? Detlev Paulmann: "The story of our company began with my father turning a simple light bulb lamp into a source of light with many decorative properties. Paulmann then went on to establish the cable system as a flexible solution for virtually any room. Our development of these light systems with high-end, halogen low-voltage light output is still ongoing to this day. And we also continue to work on our offerings for indoor and outdoor lighting: rail systems, rail systems, recessed luminaires, spotlights, wall and ceiling luminaires, and many other special luminaire types. We want to make sure that everyone has the light they want where they need it. New technologies like LED or Smart Light open up a whole new world of options for people, who love light like we do."

Portrait of a smiling man in white shirt and dark jacket with blurred background

1968

Rüdiger Paulmann (1939-2025) opens his own sales agency for luminaires in 1968 based on his years of professional experience in the industry. One thing soon became clear to him: Nobody was offering decorative light bulbs. The most exquisite, beautifully shaped luminaires are sold with boring standard lamps.

1975

The entrepreneur has a creative mind, which leads him to start with a series of tests in the basement of his home in Wennigsen in 1975. After several months, he successfully produces the first refined incandescent light bulbs. Many more decorative ideas soon follow, like smoked or mirrored lamps, ice crystals, ice crystal amber and crocoisite, as well as the popular gold light, which emits a warm, soft light for living rooms.

Shelf displaying various Paulmann LED bulbs with focus on 60W light bulb in brown packaging

1978

In the year the company is founded, the professional production of the very first decorative lamps begins. It forms the cornerstone for the company's meteoric rise. Paulmann started out with just its founder, an office clerk and a single field sales representative.

1984

Paulmann had just started making a name for itself in the sector for decorative light bulbs when the now 15-strong company is faced with the emerging halogen market in 1984. Paulmann succeeds in transforming the super-bright halogen light into something more attractive for home use. With special glass-on-glass coatings, Paulmann creates a lamp finish in shades of gold or rosé.

1986

This is the year, when halogen cable systems are added to the product range. These were previously only used in commercial settings. Like many of the lighting solutions that followed, these are universally useful for anyone. The Paulmann team grows each year in line with the many new light ideas the company develops.

1988

Recessed luminaires become the main focal point of the product range. Even back then, customers appreciate the great selection of Paulmann products. Today, Paulmann is a market leader in this product category.

1990 – 1993

The first sales subsidiary is established in Austria in 1990. The next one opens its doors in France in 1993. From now on, Paulmann subsidiaries and agencies crop up all over Europe. The development of high-end products developed by an in-house design team is met with much enthusiasm in many countries.

1996

Construction of a modern logistics centre in Springe-Völksen begins. The company migrates its IT environment to the SAP management system.

Modern office building with white facade and pond in front, surrounded by green lawns and trees.

1997

The company with now around 200 employees relocates to the new headquarters in Springe-Völksen in July 1997, after just 15 months of planning and construction. The administrative and logistics centre becomes the new European headquarters.

Grayscale map of Europe highlighting Germany, indicating central location for lighting products.

2000

Paulmann sets up a sales subsidiary in Spain in the year 2000, which means the company is now represented in 20 countries.

Three men in suits smiling by a white staircase in a modern office setting without product focus.

2004

Detlev Paulmann, Management Spokesman, takes on the company leadership alongside Thomas Hamann and Dirk Oldenburg, while his father Rüdiger becomes the chairman of the newly founded advisory board.

LED bulbs and brushed aluminum LED set in white, energy-saving lighting with IP44 splash protection

2009

Paulmann gets a new corporate identity. The new logo, a white "P" inside a red square, now represents the company.

2011

The German association of family entrepreneurs honours Detlev Paulmann with the Entrepreneur Award 2011 for his commitment to his company and his employees.

2012

The last remaining incandescent lamps are phased out in line with the provisions of an EU Directive. Paulmann is in a position to offer attractive and viable alternatives based on LED technology, as well as energy-saving lamps, low-voltage and halogen mains voltage products.

Modern office building with large glass windows and green lawn in front under cloudy sky

2016

All product development and marketing teams move into the newly built Paulmann Development Centre.

2017

Detlev Paulmann joins the advisory board in March. Oliver Windbrake takes over as CEO to run the company alongside the long-term managing directors Thomas Hamann and Dirk Oldenburg.

Six men in business attire standing in front of wall with pictures, formal farewell scene in office setting.

2023

In September, Dirk Oldenburg, who has been with Paulmann for 34 years, 19 of them as part of the management team, will retire. He is succeeded by Dr Tomass Grass as Managing Director Sales and Marketing, who, with fellow Managing Directors Oliver Windbrake and Thomas Hamann will lead our company to future successes.

Interior of a modern showroom featuring various lighting solutions and promotional images on the wall.

Today

After 45 years of a bright history in light, Paulmann now employs 300 people in Springe. The management of Paulmann Licht GmbH consists of Thorsten Streppelhoff (Chairman) and Thomas Hamann. More than 90 additional staff are employed in subsidiaries in Austria, France and elsewhere. All in all, counting additional sales representations in around 40 European countries, the Paulmann team is now about 400-strong. Based on our open and cooperative company culture, this team stands for new and exciting lighting ideas everywhere.

This claim is underpinned by the more than 2,500 luminaires and lamps in the Paulmann product range. Paulmann recessed luminaires, indoor luminaires, cable and rail systems, spotlights, wall and ceiling luminaires, as well as a wide range of LED strips meet the individual needs of people looking for bespoke light solutions. That also includes app control. The custom design of Paulmann products underlines and highlights their extraordinary quality.