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SERIEN FIRMENJUBILÄUM • COMPANY ANNIVERSARY

Gründer Heinrich Gantenbrink Anfang 1950er-Jahre: Bronzeguss ... ... und Pfeilerleuchte Ende der 1950er-Jahre: Werbung 1960er-Jahre: Die finnische Künstlerin Helena Tynell prägt das Design

1972: Pollerleuchte im Olympiapark München von Behnisch Partner 1977: Guggenheim-Museum Bilbao von Frank O. Gehry 2013: Les Jardins d´Apollines in Monaco von Deverini Architectes

bleibt im Mittelpunkt, und Verantwortung wird auf allen Ebenen geteilt. In einer Branche, cast aluminium parts. This pioneering invention and the award-winning design made
in der Wachstum oft mit Distanz zum Produkt einhergeht, setzt BEGA auf das Gegenteil: these luminaires classics found on and in many buildings of world architecture. State
Nähe – zur Technik, zum Material, zum Ergebnis. Und dies gelingt durch das Prinzip der awards for design, innovation and design management in the 1980s underscored the
Eigenverantwortung. Möglich wird das durch generationsübergreifende Erfahrung, den overall achievement. BEGA US was founded in Santa Barbara in 1985, and a second
Mut zu eigenständigen technischen Entwicklungen und ein fest verankertes Qualitäts- location has been in Broomfield, Colorado, since the early 2020s. BEGA also acquired
verständnis, das seinen Ursprung 1945 hatte – und heute in internationalen Märkten a majority stake in its French partner company Aubrilam. Today, the company manu-
seine Fortsetzung findet. Das zeigt sich seit der Gründung vor 80 Jahren nicht nur in der factures at six locations in Germany, Belgium, France and the USA. BEGA has consis-
Rückschau, sondern im Ergebnis jeder neuen Leuchte. tently exploited the opportunities offered by LED technology: LED modules are manu-
factured specifically as light sources for each luminaire. If necessary, modules can be
reordered even 20 years after the luminaire has been purchased.
W hat appears to be a contradiction at first glance is reality at BEGA: the company
produces on an industrial scale but thinks like a manufacturer. Goldsmith and Interior luminaires as an expression of attitude
steel engraver Heinrich Gantenbrink founded BEGA in 1945. His brother Bruno was
responsible for finances and commercial matters. In 1950, BEGA exhibited at a foreign BEGA luminaires for interiors are designed to be impressive decorative features, some-
trade fair for the first time, Today, BEGA – BE for Beleuchtung (lighting) and GA for Gan- times with a sculptural character, but also lighting tools with exceptional photometric
tenbrink – manufactures for the entire world in its own factories. For BEGA, manufac- properties. The products are created in close collaboration between designers, devel-
turing means responsibility from start to finish for every single luminaire component, opers and materials experts. A variety of surfaces allow you to choose the perfect
creative drive in every detail, precision in implementation and a deep understanding match for your interior. Whether glass, metal or components from state-of-the-art
of the product. Three generations of the Gantenbrink family have shaped the company additive manufacturing: once the luminaire has taken shape in the planning stage,
and this continuity gives the company stability and a set of values on which long-term the additional finishing of the components begins in production. The materials used
thinking and planning are based. Since its foundation, BEGA has followed its own form the basis – the findings of daily research and the craftsmanship of skilled workers
path – characterized by precision craftsmanship, technical responsibility and consis- flow into the finishing process. Elaborate surface treatment then brings out the best
tent design. What began with a wrought-iron crown for three luminaires quickly grew in each material. The distinctive and expressive luminaires in the Studio Line series
into a company with five employees. From the 1960s onwards, the principle of form are just one example, but they demonstrate the approach behind this special service:
reduction became established: concentrating the product on the essentials became individual options for planning tasks in private living spaces, shops or hotels and
the design goal. World-renowned architects began to integrate BEGA luminaires into wherever representative, stylish luminaires with efficient LED technology are required.
their designs. At the beginning of the 1960s, the Limburg glassworks on the River Lahn In an industry where growth often goes hand in hand with distance from the product,
was taken over. At the beginning of the 1970s, a glass factory in Boom, Belgium, was BEGA focuses on the opposite. And this is achieved through the principle of personal
acquired as a production facility and is still being used. A collection of luminaires with responsibility. This is made possible by cross-generational experience, the courage to
a distinctive, more traditional style bears the name Boom. At the same time, BEGA pursue independent technical developments and a firmly anchored understanding of
built the first bollard luminaire with mirror optics, the first drive-over recessed ground quality that originated in 1945 and continues today in international markets. Since the
luminaires and the first ceiling luminaires for swimming pools and sports facilities. company was founded 80 years ago, this has been evident not only in retrospect, but
At the end of the 1970s, the company found new ways of combining glass with die- also in every newly produced luminaire.

044 • AIT 9.2025