MENTOR is a specialist in integrated lighting solutions and HMI components from the electronics, optoelectronics and mechanics sectors. The company’s product and service portfolio comprises LED-based lighting systems for ambient and functional lighting, state-of-the-art control and display elements for housing fronts and other mechanical, electronic and optoelectronic components. Whereas they previously focussed on producing individual components, today their portfolio is increasingly geared towards complete systems and subsystems.
As well as over 2,500 standard items, Mentor supplies components and solutions that are developed and produced to customer specifications.
Interview with Marcel Kürten, International Sales & Expansion Manager at MENTOR.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Marcel Kürten: Our current activities focus on developing LED-based lighting systems. We develop and produce lighting components for automotive manufacturers and customers from the consumer and investment goods industry that generate added value in a variety of products. We develop applications that provide orientation and create an atmosphere and comfort with the help of intelligent lighting solutions. We offer our customers a full service relating to their individual lighting solution. We provide everything from a single source, from the concept and development to visualisation, right up to tool construction and production.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new and innovative products?
M.K: Our flexible side light fibre system M-Fibre has recently gone into mass production – we have also expanded our standard range with new modules. M-Fibre is a thin and flexible side light fibre system that is ideal for functional or decorative linear lighting in a wide variety of products. The new modules mean that an even greater number of configurations are now possible for applications in different ambient light levels. We have also developed an innovative technology with our fibre mat technology. The fabric of the fibres that are used here acts as a light guide, so the light is emitted at the side of the fabric or at the end of the fibres. Highly flexible, these textile fibre mats are ideal for using light in textiles but also for applications with complicated installation spaces where other technologies reach their limits. We have also expanded our portfolio of IP68-compatible standard light guides this year and developed additional, watertight components in varying lengths as well as head types and forms that allow them to be used under water or in the open air.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
M.K: The MENTOR product range is divided into three main areas. The largest area is that of lighting solutions. We create applications for different types of lighting scenarios: from direct or indirect spot, linear, area or contour lighting to applications for day or night-time, right up to static or dynamic lighting solutions as well as white, monochrome or multicoloured application options. In the components area, our range comprises both light guide systems and keyboard components, optoelectronic components, control knobs and housing handles. We have also been working as a development supplier and system provider in the automotive sector for many years and implement tailor-made lighting systems for them in both day and night-time design for interior and exterior lighting.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
M.K: We supply our products to companies from a wide range of industries: from mechanical engineering and plant construction to safety and medical technology, through to building services engineering, manufacturers of residential and office furniture as well as domestic appliances – the integration of light is becoming increasingly important in all areas. This applies both to the design and the integration of functional components. This is already apparent from the continuous increase in customised product requests. With product-integrated light, our customers generate added value and, in this way, make their product unique, allowing them to stand out from the competition and create an unmistakable USP.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
M.K: As we have already mentioned, the integration of light in a wide variety of products is gaining in significance. The reasons behind this differ greatly. On the one hand, the design of a product is becoming increasingly important. Integrated lighting solutions generate an aesthetic added value, add individuality and convey emotions. However, light within the product can also achieve much from a functional aspect and assume a communicative function, for example. In electronic devices, lighting solutions can indicate different device statuses or similar and ensure intuitive operation or even accessibility.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
M.K: The continuous increase in market demand for integrated lighting solutions means that we fully expect the volume of orders to stabilise and subsequently increase.
Production is moving away from standard applications towards individualised customer applications that are tailored to the desires and needs of customers or the planned application. This high level of individualisation is certain to increase in the next few years. In future, we also intend to expand and intensify our business outside Germany step by step. We want to further develop and expand our structures on the international market by working more closely together with and offering more intensive support to our representatives all over the world.
MENTOR GmbH & Co.
Tel: +49 (0) 211 20002-250
Email: marcel.kuerten@mentor.de.com