Founding of "STEUTE-Schaltgerätebau Rose & Sölken KG" in Bad Oeynhausen. The name "steute" is taken from the German term Steuerungstechnik, meaning control technology.
Friedhelm Rose leaves, and Gerhard Sölken becomes sole owner of the company.
The first combined foot switch for medical equipment is developed.
Serial production of explosion-proof switches for extreme ambient conditions begins.
The Schmersal Group, based in Wuppertal, takes over steute Schaltgeräte GmbH & Co. KG with effect from 1st January 1995.
Production of first remote control foot switch for medical equipment. First foreign subsidiary, steute Meditech Inc., is founded in the US.
steute leaves the Schmersal Group, headed by Stefan Schmersal as sole Managing Partner.
Launch of self-sufficient wireless switching devices for industrial use.
Founding of steute do Brasil Ltd. as a sales and manufacturing company for South America, as well as further subsidiaries in Europe (steute Italia, steute France, steute Polska, steute UK) and Japan (Nihon steute).
steute celebrates its 50th anniversary. As a sales and manufacturing site for the Asian market, steute Electrical Components (a WFOE), is founded in Shanghai, China.
New R&D centre opens.
Participation in the OR.NET project researching secure and dynamic networking for the future operating room. A multifunctional foot switch is developed especially for this purpose.
Launch of first wireless switching devices for industrial automation, branded as "sWave".
Introduction of software-based wireless sensor network "sWave.NET®" for intralogistics and industry.
Subsequent launch of "sWave.NET®" brand for the control and optimisation of material flow.
Acquisition of new Sales and Marketing building.
steute phaco foot control celebrates its 15th anniversary. This control system is now in its fourth generation and facilitates the precise performance of cataract, retina and vitreous surgery.
Restructuring of the four previous business units and strategic splitting of the company into three divisions: Meditec, Controltec und Leantec. Redesign of corporate image.
Expansion of Management. Managing Partner Stefan Schmersal moves to Advisory Board and continues to support the company at a strategic level. Managing Directors are now Dr. Ing. Christof Gerhardy for the technical side and Marc Stanesby for the commercial and administrative areas.
After more than 40 years of successful management, Stefan Schmersal retires from the operative side of steute. Under his direction, the company has established itself as a leading force in the marketplace and continued to evolve.
Stefan Schmersal remains closely involved in the company as a member of the Advisory Board.
Once the question of an appropriate successor has been decided, steute is entrusted to Battery Ventures, an American investor specialised in technology companies. The acquisition opens up new possibilities for innovation and growth.
Marc Stanesby and Dr. Ing. Christof Gerhardy retain their positions as Managing Directors.
On January 1st 2026, Martin Kunz assumes the role of Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of steute Technologies, leading the company’s continued strategic development and profitable growth.
Working closely with the management team, steute employees and Battery Ventures, Martin will focus on strengthening the steute Group’s global market position while driving sustainable growth through both organic expansion and targeted acquisitions.
steute acquires Dutch medical technology specialist Oldelft Ultrasound, strengthening its position in medical equipment solutions and expanding capabilities in high-performance, miniaturised ultrasound transducers used primarily in cardiology.
steute acquires German industrial switching specialist KIEPE Industry from Kiepe Electric GmbH, enhancing its Controltec division and reinforcing its portfolio of safety-critical industrial switching solutions.
steute announces a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based Electro-Sensors, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELSE), a manufacturer of industrial monitoring sensors and hazard detection systems, expanding its global footprint in machine safety and condition monitoring.
