Hensel Studiotechnik

Hensel Studiotechnik, legally known as Hensel-Visit GmbH & Co. KG, is a German manufacturer of professional flash and lighting technology for photographers and industry. Founded on 4 February 1963 by Wolfgang and Ingrid Hensel, the company is headquartered in Würzburg, Bavaria. It began by developing and producing halogen lamps and flash units for professional photo studios in Germany. Over the decades, Hensel expanded its product range to include studio flash generators, monolights, battery-powered flash units, and a wide array of light modifiers and accessories for both studio and outdoor photography. The brand is particularly renowned for its EXPERT series of flash generators and the Miniflash series of compact flash units. Hensel products are sold in Germany, across Europe, and in markets such as the United States, China, and Indonesia. In June 2019, the company filed for insolvency at the Würzburg district court, and the insolvency proceedings were opened in September 2019. Despite this, the brand continues to operate and offer products through its official webshop, including the Expert D 250 Speed and CERTO 200 & 400 monolights. The company has been a distribution partner for Bowens International and has developed its own flash systems since the early 1980s. Hensel remains a significant name in professional studio lighting, though its current corporate status is private and it is undergoing restructuring.

Hensel Studiotechnik was founded on 4 February 1963 by Wolfgang and Ingrid Hensel. The company entered the market by developing and manufacturing halogen lamps and flash units, which were sold to professional photo studios in Germany. In the early 1970s, Hensel-Visit GmbH & Co. KG became a distribution partner for Bowens International Ltd. After several years of collaboration, Hensel-Visit began developing and producing its own flash units. In 1968, the company started sales activities in Europe and Asia. In 1970, Hensel introduced front projection and began exporting to the United States. In 1982, the development of the first own Hensel flash units was carried out, leading to the presentation of the 'Miniflash' series at photokina in 1984, which was supplemented two years later (1988) by the well-known 'EXPERT' series. The following year, the portfolio was expanded with flash generators and other accessories for professional photography. Subsequently, new markets were gradually opened up in China and Indonesia, and seminars were held in Europe and Asia. In 1993, Wolfgang Hensel left the company after 30 years and retired. In June 2019, the company filed for insolvency at the Würzburg district court. The insolvency proceedings were opened in September of that year, and Bendel Insolvenzverwaltung in Würzburg was appointed as preliminary insolvency administrator. According to the company, the insolvency filing was intended to support a successful restructuring, which initially had personnel consequences: the previous managing director Guido Puttkammer left the company on 31 March 2020 and was replaced by the new managing director Andreas Stöhr. The company is primarily known as one of the most important manufacturers of studio flash systems.

• Company founded by Wolfgang and Ingrid Hensel.

• Started sales activities in Europe and Asia.

• Introduced Hensel front projection and began exports to the USA.

• Development of the first own Hensel flash units.

• Presented the 'Miniflash' series at photokina.

• Added the 'EXPERT' series to the product line.

• Wolfgang Hensel left the company after 30 years.

• Filed for insolvency at the Würzburg district court.

• Insolvency proceedings opened; Bendel Insolvenzverwaltung appointed as preliminary administrator.

• Guido Puttkammer left; Andreas Stöhr became managing director.

Professional-grade studio lighting equipment for photographers and industry, emphasizing high performance and reliability.

• EXPERT series

  Professional flash generators introduced in 1988.

• Miniflash series

  Compact flash units presented at photokina in 1984.

• Expert D 250 Speed

  Compact fan-favorite with ultra-fast flash recycling times and very short flash duration.

• CERTO 200 & 400

  Monolights for entry into professional studio photography.

1. 1Home - Hensel Webshop ENshop.hensel.eu
2. 2Hensel Studiotechnik - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Hensel Studiotechnik - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org