Discreet was Yesterday – Create Room Designs with Light Switches
Light switches are more than just functional controls. They are interfaces between people and space. Their design determines whether they stand out or blend in. A coating finish that goes beyond the expected gives manufacturers the opportunity to turn an everyday product into a real design element. Furthermore, it gives TIERs the chance to gain points with OEMs. We spoke to a European coating company about the opportunities that arise from a diverse portfolio.
“Those who constantly strive for innovation remain attractive - we deliver visually appealing and sustainable premium solutions for light switches.”
For coaters, this means being able to present new ideas and effects to OEMs that can be implemented economically and reliably in series production. We ask for more details.
Why the Surface Matters
At first sight, it may not make much sense to coat light switches. After all, they are just plain everyday objects that blend into the room, right? Wouldn't coloured plastic be enough? In many cases, yes – but when rooms are designed in a very particular way, this quickly reaches its limits. For coating companies, the advantages of coating control elements are therefore obvious:
- Full flexibility in the choice of colours and effects: from subtle nuances to chrome and metallic effects
- Individual adjustment of the degree of gloss
- Haptic effects and structures
- Durability and scratch resistance even with intensive use
- Chemical resistance
Together with the colourimetry and design experts at Mankiewicz, coaters can create elements that really leave an impression and secure and expand the company's market position.
When Functionality Becomes High Quality
As a manufacturer, the customer consciously focuses on premium quality, so that an inconspicuous detail can be transformed into a visible unique selling point. That is why they no longer concern themselves with the question of whether a light switch should be coated, but rather how much potential can be unleashed by working with Mankiewicz.
A switch is touched countless times every day – if it retains its quality for years, the entire product gains in value.
Diversity in Application
What tipped the scales in favor of Mankiewicz? A comprehensive package that convinced the manufacturer:
- Technical consulting at eye level, including detailed process analysis
- A focus on total cost of ownership rather than price per liter
- A broad product portfolio for different application scenarios
- Worldwide availability and therefore planning security
Long-term Performance
Whether toggle switches, push buttons, rocker switches, rotary switches, slide switches or other control elements, they all have one thing in common: they are touched several times a day, up to thirty times according to statistics – extrapolated over ten years, that is more than 100,000 switching operations. Often with hands that are covered in cream or sometimes not quite so clean. In public spaces, they are not treated very carefully. Cleaning agents can also be chemical attacks on surfaces. Whether scratches, stains or even paint flaking, none of these defects are desirable. Experts refer to this as mechanical and chemical resistance, and it is an essential component of Mankiewicz's coating systems.
Trust in Service and Innovation
Mankiewicz's 130-year success story speaks for its ongoing commitment to innovation, which enables the coating specialist to keep introducing new products. The service begins with the selection of products and the combination of effects. The team of experienced designers combines trends and customer requirements to create the ideal coating proposal, including sampling. Mankiewicz's service does not stop at the introduction stage – coating training and process optimisation are also part of the offering, and this security is important to coaters for their own future viability.
‘‘To us, investing in the coating of light switches means much more than just technical optimisation. It is the surface that creates a sense of trust, value and individuality.’’