MODELEC
MODELEC is a French manufacturer founded in 1976 producing premium designer electrical switches, sockets, and home-automation-ready apparatus from solid brass and other raw materials, serving luxury hotels, high-end residential architects, and premium commercial projects across Western Europe via specialist distributors and direct B2B.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersMéré, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MODELEC does
MODELEC is a French manufacturer of high-end electrical switchgear founded in 1976, operating under the legal entity MODUL DISTRIBUTION with a manufacturing headquarters in Méré (Yvelines) and an appointment-only Paris showroom known as Le Bar Electrique. The company produces designer switches, sockets, USB ports, reading lights, and home automation-ready electrical apparatus from premium raw materials including solid brass, matt resin, and stainless steel 316L, organized into eight core design collections (M, Confidence, Fascination, Hitera, Iris by MODELEC, Iris Horizon, Karo, Désir) plus the BUBOX waterproof floor socket and BOJA garden bollard range, and the Empreintes architectural brass collection. Notable proprietary technical features include a push va-et-vient 230V mechanism, magnetic plate attachment systems, reinforced mechanisms for intensive hotel use, and an online 3D configurator with augmented reality visualization.
MODELEC serves luxury hospitality (Hôtel du Collectionneur, Hôtel de Crillon, Saint James Paris, Intercontinental Paris Le Grand), high-end residential projects specified by architects and interior designers, tertiary/commercial environments, and contemporary villas worldwide. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales at published catalog prices (Euro pricing, French VAT 20%), custom/bespoke project solutions with project-based quoting, and professional advisory services supporting specification and installation. Distribution is exclusively indirect via specialist electrical Premium distributors with a store locator, supplemented by direct B2B sales through the Paris showroom and commercial team.
The company operates as a privately held entity with no disclosed institutional investors and is a sister company to DCW éditions, a lighting fixture publisher, suggesting shared ownership. Geographic presence spans France as the primary market, with active reach into Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. Certifications held include IP67 and IK10 on BUBOX products and IP55/IK08 on BOJA, all tested by SGS.
MODELEC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MODELEC
- Legal name
- MODUL DISTRIBUTION
- Website
- https://modelec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MODELEC is a French manufacturer founded in 1976 producing premium designer electrical switches, sockets, and home-automation-ready apparatus from solid brass and other raw materials, serving luxury hotels, high-end residential architects, and premium commercial projects across Western Europe via specialist distributors and direct B2B.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MODELEC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Electrical Switchgear
- NAICS
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593), Industrial Design Services (541420)
- SIC
- Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Switchgear & Switchboards (HV/MV/LV, GIS/AIS) (IMAGAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM)
Keywords
Where MODELEC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Méré
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
MODELEC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product sales of electrical switchgear: MODELEC generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of high-end electrical switchgear, including switches, sockets, and accessories across multiple design collections. Products are sold exclusively through specialist electrical distribution channels at published catalog prices. Revenue is derived from both standard catalog products and custom/bespoke solutions for hotel and premium residential projects.
- Custom/bespoke solutions for hospitality and premium projects: MODELEC offers tailored solutions for hotel and upscale residential projects, including custom engravings, specific finishes, mechanism covers, and thermostat covers. This bespoke service generates additional revenue through higher-value project-based sales.
- Professional services and project support: MODELEC provides professional advisory and project support to architects, interior designers, and hoteliers, accompanying them through the specification and installation process for hotel and renovation projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Catalog pricing for standard collections and mechanisms |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Custom/bespoke project pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
MODELEC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MODELEC designs and manufactures high-end electrical switchgear — switches, sockets, USB ports, reading lights, RJ45 and home automation modules — from premium raw materials (solid brass, matt resin, stainless steel 316L). Products are organized into distinct designer collections (M, Confidence, Fascination, Hitera, Iris, Iris Horizon, Karo, Désir, BUBOX, Empreintes) and sold via specialist electrical distributors and direct B2B relationships with architects, interior designers and hoteliers, supported by an online configurator and AR-enabled 3D visualization tool.
Product overview
MODELEC is a French manufacturer of high-end electrical equipment founded in 1976, producing designer switches, sockets, and related electrical apparatus from raw materials. The product portfolio centers on eight core switch collections (M, Confidence, Fascination, Hitera, Iris, Iris Horizon, Karo, Désir) made from premium materials including brass, steel, and matte resin. Supporting collections include BUBOX (waterproof floor sockets and garden bollards) and Empreintes (architectural brass collection). MODELEC also offers value-added services including an online 3D visualization tool with augmented reality, a web-based product configurator for customization and quoting, domotics-ready home automation solutions, and specialized hospitality solutions for hotel projects. The company operates exclusively through specialist electrical distribution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BUBOX: Waterproof floor socket collection for indoor and outdoor use, available in BUBOX Classic and BUBOX Line variants, featuring stainless steel 316L construction.
- BUBOX by MODELEC
- Confidence
- Fascination
- Iris by MODELEC
- Iris Horizon
- M
- Hitera
- Karo
- Désir
- EMPREINTES
- DCW éditions
Products and services
- M Collection
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 80 combinations possible in the Désir collection (8 plate finishes × 2 toggle types × 5 toggle finishes)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MODELEC
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MODELEC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
MODELEC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DCW éditionsminorDCW éditions is described as a 'sister company' (société sœur) of MODELEC. DCW éditions is an editor of lighting fixtures, publishing 'honest, well-conceived, well-designed, and well-made' luminaires. Both companies appear to share common ownership under the same group. DCW éditions and MODELEC are displayed together at trade shows (e.g., Euroluce 2025), and DCW éditions' brand 10 HEURES 10 was also featured at MODELEC's Euroluce stand.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MODELEC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Meljac: French manufacturer of luxury solid brass electrical switches and lighting controls, founded in similar artisanal tradition. Closest French-headquartered peer, directly comparable in materials, premium positioning, and luxury hotel/residential customer base.
- BTicino: Italian premium switch brand owned by Legrand, with Living Now and Axolute collections targeting the same luxury residential and hospitality specification channel. Closely comparable in product category, finishing approach, and target specifier base.
- Gira: German manufacturer of premium designer switches and smart home systems with strong presence in luxury residential and architectural projects. Comparable in premium positioning, material quality, and home automation integration.
- Jung: German premium switch and building systems manufacturer (LS, A, F series) serving architects and high-end residential projects. Comparable in premium positioning, European distribution, and architectural specification channel.
- Vimar: Italian manufacturer of premium electrical switchgear with designer collections (Eikon, Plana, Arké) targeting luxury residential and hospitality projects across Europe. Direct competitor in the premium designer switch category with overlapping materials (metal, technopolymer) and similar European distribution model.
- Berker: German premium switch brand (owned by Schneider Electric) with strong architectural specification presence in Europe. Comparable in product category, designer finishes, and reliance on European electrical distribution channels.
- Forbes & Lomax: UK designer of premium switches and sockets with distinctive finishes (unlacquered brass, nickel) targeting the same architectural specification channel. Comparable in artisanal approach, premium pricing, and luxury residential/hospitality customers.
Broad incumbents
- Legrand: Global French electrical equipment incumbent with premium sub-brands (Celiane, Valena) plus a portfolio far beyond switches. Overlaps with MODELEC in residential/hospitality wiring devices but competes from a vastly larger scale and broader product set.
- Schneider Electric: Global French electrical equipment incumbent whose Odace and Avatar lines overlap with MODELEC in premium switches. Much larger scale and broader portfolio; MODELEC's luxury hotel wins (Intercontinental) represent contracts also contested by Schneider's premium lines.
Emerging players
- Font Barcelona: Spanish designer of premium switches and sockets with a focus on contemporary architectural aesthetics. Smaller and more design-driven than MODELEC but competes in the same Spanish and broader European specification market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MODELEC social profiles
Digital presenceMODELEC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
MODELEC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MODELEC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
MODELEC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MODELEC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MODELEC
What does MODELEC do?
MODELEC designs and manufactures high-end electrical switchgear — switches, sockets, USB ports, reading lights, RJ45 and home automation modules — from premium raw materials (solid brass, matt resin, stainless steel 316L). Products are organized into distinct designer collections (M, Confidence, Fascination, Hitera, Iris, Iris Horizon, Karo, Désir, BUBOX, Empreintes) and sold via specialist electrical distributors and direct B2B relationships with architects, interior designers and hoteliers, supported by an online configurator and AR-enabled 3D visualization tool.
Is MODELEC a public or private company?
MODELEC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MODELEC founded?
MODELEC was founded in 1976. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MODELEC based?
MODELEC is headquartered in Méré, France, in the Europe region.
How does MODELEC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product sales of electrical switchgear is the primary driver. The others are custom/bespoke solutions for hospitality and premium projects and professional services and project support.
Who are MODELEC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Meljac, BTicino, Gira, Jung, Vimar, Berker and Forbes & Lomax. Broad incumbents are Legrand and Schneider Electric. Font Barcelona is listed as an emerging player.
Does MODELEC have an API?
No public API is recorded for MODELEC.
What industry is MODELEC in?
MODELEC's product category is Premium Electrical Switchgear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAAAB, Switchgear & Switchboards (HV/MV/LV, GIS/AIS), with a secondary code of BPAHAKAM, Industrial/Product & Furniture Design. Its NAICS code is 335313 and its SIC code is 3613.