The Steinigke brothers tinkered with lighting effects and amplifiers in their garage—out of passion and necessity: as “mobile DJs,” they hosted disco nights every weekend and wanted them to be as impressive as possible. Established products from well-known lighting and audio manufacturers were expensive, so they quickly developed their own solutions.

Friends from the rolling-disco scene in the Würzburg area were thrilled. Demand grew quickly, and handcrafted one-offs were no longer enough. This marked the start of direct imports of lighting equipment and, soon after, the creation of the first in-house brands—fueled by plenty of creativity and courage.

The company grew and the first employees joined. The very first hire was Thomas Bechold.

He recalls: “Bernd Steinigke was originally my customer. When my employer at the time shut down the department, he offered me a job—in sales, the warehouse, anywhere help was needed. We had to replace the first container full of PAR-64 cans right away—a challenging start, but with a firm resolve to do better.”

With EUROLITE, the first in-house brand was founded – lighting technology of good quality at a fair price, made for both professionals and beginners. As one of the first brands of its kind in Germany, EUROLITE set new standards for safety and quality.

At that time, the still small company with only a few employees moved into its first “real” company building – complete with office and warehouse – after previously working out of garages, apartments, and small rented spaces. This marked the beginning of a new phase: finally, the team could start developing its own products and organizing imports.

Gerhard Spiegel, a long-time employee in development and purchasing, recalls: “Bernd was convinced: a strong in-house brand is part of a company’s identity. The first successes – such as the Smoke 1200 or the Trilly Melody Flower effect – stood for courage, a hands-on mentality, and the joy of creating.”

With ALUTRUSS and EUROPALMS, two more brands were added. As the previously rented buildings had become far too small, Steinigke Showtechnic moved into its first own premises in Waldbüttelbrunn – complete with warehouse, offices, and showroom.

In the same year, the company was renamed STEINIGKE SHOWTECHNIC GmbH.

Thomas Bechold recalls: “We welded, cut, built – Hall 1 was a joint project. And hardly had we moved in when the space was already running out.”

FUTURELIGHT as the premium lighting brand, OMNILUX for lamps, and OMNITRONIC in audio expanded the portfolio. The maxim remained: quality, functionality, and fair prices.

During these years, an independent export department was also established. With seven employees and support from other specialist teams, customers could now be advised in 17 languages. The company achieved particular success in Eastern European countries—thanks to the broad product range and native-language support.

International presence also peaked at this time: with up to 15 trade fair appearances per year at international industry shows, Steinigke became a recognized name worldwide in the event and show technology sector.

As an industry pioneer, Steinigke went online early in 2000 with a multilingual web shop. The new in-house brands DIMAVERY (instruments) and PSSO (audio technology) expanded the range. In 2006, the fourth warehouse hall was built on the Waldbüttelbrunn site, and the computer-controlled high-bay warehouse opened up completely new logistics possibilities. Sascha Kühnlein says: “The changeover was enormous—day and night shifts, dozens of truckloads, all in parallel with day-to-day business. But the team spirit was tremendous.”

With the launch of the EUROLITE KLS series, Steinigke set new standards: compact lighting systems ideal for mobile applications. Gerhard Spiegel recalls: “Before the LED era, KLS lighting systems usually consisted of bulky PAR spotlights on a dimmer bar with 300-watt lamps and color gels—impractical and energy-intensive. There were already some early LED fixtures, but only in the classic PAR design. When putting together a set, I realized how unwieldy it all was—and the idea was born: a compact LED solution integrating spotlights, power supply, and electronics directly into the bar. The goal was a system that fits in a guitar case. When the first sample arrived, skepticism was high—the flat fixtures looked unfamiliar. But that bold step laid the groundwork for a new generation of lighting systems.”

At the same time, Steinigke began to focus more strongly on sustainability. Initial environmental programs were launched, including installing what was then Bavaria’s largest private photovoltaic system with 450 kWp and introducing an internal disposal logistics system that feeds separated raw materials back into recycling loops. On a site covering more than 35,000 square meters, the company has since sent a clear signal of responsible action and forward-looking development.

A long-standing employee and, at that time, authorized signatory, Matthias Schwab became co-managing director and from then on led the company together with owner Bernd Steinigke. During this phase, the first preparations for the later handover of management began. In addition, the internal guiding principle—“We are your partner for all things show technology”—was officially expressed in the new company slogan:
“Your Connection To The World Of Show.”

Furthermore, the ROADINGER brand was further developed and the range expanded to include robust flight cases.

The coronavirus pandemic hit the events industry particularly hard—orders collapsed, events were canceled, and uncertainty was high. Nevertheless, Steinigke Showtechnic remained a reliable partner: flexible, solution-oriented, and with the clear goal of supporting customers as best as possible even in difficult times. What particularly stood out during this period was the strong team spirit.

“In all my years at the company, one thing has truly developed: the willingness to stand up for one another and act flexibly when it counts,” recalls authorized signatory Jürgen Mehning. “In challenging times—such as during the pandemic—this became especially clear: no one shied away from taking responsibility across departments and pitching in.” This commitment and teamwork remain an important part of our corporate culture today.

A major step in the company’s development: Bernd Steinigke withdrew from day-to-day operations, and Matthias Schwab took over as the sole managing director of Steinigke Showtechnic. For him, this transfer was not only a great vote of confidence but also a matter of the heart: “Having the management entrusted to me was both an obligation and an opportunity. Leading such a company into the future is an exciting task—and it also means facing new challenges again and again. At times, it’s a real tour de force.”

What remains particularly formative for Schwab is the support of the founders: “The starting point was clear: ‘Do as you think best—you’ll know what to do. We trust you.’ That trust motivated me immensely—and it still shapes my leadership style today.”

To give this change a public face, the company logo was updated in the same year—modernized yet still in the familiar corporate colors.

Old logo

New logo

Jürgen Mehning, long-time head of administration at Steinigke Showtechnic, was appointed authorized signatory. Matthias Schwab recalls: “When I joined the company, Jürgen had already served as our head of administration for many years. Even in the early days of Steinigke Licht & Ton, he was actively involved in almost every area—from sales and accounting to organization. With the company’s growth and the reorganization in 1993, he played a major role in building the administration department and has led it successfully for decades. At a time when accounting, invoicing, and customs were still very labor-intensive, he created structures that continue to support our company today. Personally, Jürgen has always been a reliable colleague, a wise advisor, and sometimes a critical mirror. I have always valued his advice and our open dialogue. It was therefore a great pleasure to appoint him as an authorized signatory after I myself moved into management.”

With the launch of the new online shop, Steinigke made a bold digital statement. Alexander Hahn, Head of E-Commerce: “The entire development was carried out in-house. A real milestone—and only the beginning.” Today, with its wide range, Steinigke Showtechnic stands for a strong portfolio of in-house brands, innovation, and reliability. What has remained unchanged since the company’s inception is our ambition to make professional event technology accessible to everyone—reliable, creative, and affordable.