Interface Continues Expansion in International Markets
Interface is well-known across the U.S. for being the leading provider of premium force measurement products. We are heralded for our products’ and systems’ accuracy and reliability from coast to coast, and tens of thousands of manufacturers, test labs and more use our equipment every day to verify designs and test hardware.
However, did you know that Interface also has a strong presence in international markets including Europe, China, India and more? Interface has a long history of serving customers around the world. Our global outreach is supported by a very formidable network of distributors who work in-market to help customers with their force measurement needs.
In a continued effort to meet the global demands for precision sensor solutions, we have expanded our reach to customers across all continents to deliver the Interface products. In fact, despite the challenges of the past year, we had our best year in China in Interface’s 52-year history. Additionally, we’ve had substantial growth each month, and at the start of 2021 in global sales in APAC, LATAM and EMEA. We are at parity with our domestic sales in fulfilling demand.
Our growth in these markets is due to a concerted effort to speak directly with customers across these regions and find out more about their specific needs. Prior to the pandemic, we were attending more shows than ever and visiting customer sites internationally more frequently. Now, as like most of the world, we are conducting business around the clock via online meetings and with a hyper-focus on listening, learning and feedback mechanisms.
One of the direct results of these efforts was the creation of our Global Standard® Force Measurement (G Series) offering. Due to the increased requests for its high-precision, high-accuracy and high-reliability force measurement sensors designed and manufactured in the International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system, Interface launched the new International G Series product lineup in August 2020.
The G Series debuted with Interface’s most popular Mini™ load cells, enabling international customers to purchase these Global Standard Force Measurement products through the company’s large network of more than 37 distributors outside of the United States. You can locate a distributor in your area here. These products are the first Interface manufactured products near market. The facility’s proximity to core markets in Asia shortens the time and cost for customers to receive quality Interface products.
The G Series products available today include:
GLBM Series Load Button Load Cells – The GLBM Series Load Button Load Cells are strain gauge-based transducers with temperature compensation and excellent overall performance. This type provides a range of capacities up to 200kN with better than ±0.5% (full scale) non-linearity.
GSMTM Series Mini™ S-Beam Load Cell – The GSMTM Series Miniature S-Type Load Cells are a bi-directional aluminum strain gauge-based transducer with high performance and built-in temperature compensation. This design provides better than ±0.1% (full scale) non-linearity and includes overload protection in both tension and compression directions.
GWMC Series Mini™ Threaded In-Line Load Cells (10kN – 50kN) -The GWMC Series Miniature Threaded In-Line Load Cells are strain gauge-based transducers with temperature compensation and excellent overall performance. This type measures tensile and compressive loads up to 50kN with better than ±0.5% non-linearity.
GWMC Series Mini™ Threaded In-Line Load Cells (200N – 5000N) – The GWMC Series Miniature Threaded In-Line Load Cells are strain gauge-based transducers with temperature compensation and excellent overall performance. This type measures tensile and compressive loads up to 5000N with better than ±0.25% non-linearity.
In addition to the G Series product line, we are also evaluating new low-cost solutions that continue to meet Interface’s signature accuracy and reliability for our international markets. What we are hearing from our global customers about new solution requirements that range from middle ground low-cost, low-reliability force measurement products to Interface’s more premium jumbo or specialty product options.
To learn more about Interface and its solutions for international customers, please visit us at www.interfaceforce.com. Additionally, you can find the G Series solutions here: www.interfaceforce.com/global/.
Contributor: Lloyd Fisher, VP International Sales