Company history
1958 Incorporation of the company by Mr. Jürg Genge in Ostermundingen, Switzerland. At the time, the company successfully produced rotary potentiometers.
1980 Succession started by Mr. Alfred Thoma. Mr. Genge remained in the company
1981 Incorporation of the Genge & Thoma AG and acquisition of the real estate in Lengnau, BE, Switzerland
1983 Printed potentiometers are being introduced
1984 Travel sensors and joysticks are added to the product offerings
1994 First patent issued for joysticks with ahll effect sensors
2006 Acquisition of all company shares by the Grete family
2007 Formation of an electronic department for the in house development of hard and software
2008 BS series of controllers introduced for marine applications
2010 Introduction of joysticks with the first fully integrated CanOpen interface
2011 The SK 80 series is introduced as the biggest joystick of the SK family of products
2012 Introduction of the SK315 series of joysticks, solely with hall effect sensors
2013 Development of a 4 channel redundant joysticks with galvanically isolated sensors to control vehicles on public roads
2014 Introduction of the innovative SK 197 joysticks, specifically designed for remote control applications
2015 Development of a joystick with the first integrated I/O interface
2016 The SK212 joystick along with our own multi-functional grip is introduced to the family of products
2017 A jog-dial style controller compliments our range of products
2018 Introduction of our SK 225 Mini-Joystick
2019 Move into a new, state of the art, headquarter building in Brügg, Switzerland
2022 Introduction of the SK216 lever
2023 From July 1st, 2023 the joysticks and sensors business of Genge & Thoma AG will be legally transferred to the newly founded GT Joysticks AG. GT Joysticks AG takes over all operational activities, obligations and employees of Genge & Thoma AG. The reason for this step is a better focus on the core activities, the development, production and delivery of joysticks and sensors. Genge & Thoma AG will remain in existence and will continue to manage all other business areas. Yvonne and Alex Grete will stay as 100% owners and directors in the same functions of GT Joysticks AG and Genge & Thoma AG.
