Lorlin

What Lorlin does

Lorlin Electronics Ltd. is a privately held UK manufacturer of electro-mechanical switches founded in 1961 and headquartered in Littlehampton, West Sussex. The company designs and produces low-power rotary switches, key lock switches, and mains-rated switch modules across a portfolio covering panel-mount sizes from 12mm to 19mm, current ratings from 0.5A to 80A, and ingress protection up to IP67. Manufacturing is fully in-house at a 2,000 sq. meter facility running 24-hour operations with injection moulding, metal pressing, CNC turning, assembly, and mechanical, electrical, and water testing, supported by 3D CAD design and rapid prototyping for custom and modified parts.

The product portfolio spans rotary switches (CK, CKF, CKS, BCK, GCK, RA, PT, RMS, MT series), key lock switches (SKL, SRL/SRLM/WRL/IRL 16mm family, LS120/LS121 12mm, CKL, MSL, RAL, LS300, DSL, CSSL, DSSL, DBSL 19mm family), and switch modules (MS2000 Mains). Many designs are described as proprietary to Lorlin, and key-combination architectures reach up to 50,000 differs. Quality and approvals are a deliberate moat: ISO 9001 since 1994 (BSI), VDE ENEC EN61058-1 on mains-rated modules, plus REACH, RoHS, California Proposition 65, PFAS, and conflict minerals declarations.

Lorlin sells almost entirely through a global catalog and regional distributor network — Farnell Element 14, RS Components, Mouser, and 12+ country-level specialists — reaching industrial, instrumentation, audio-equipment, and consumer-appliance OEMs across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Revenue is generated via hardware unit sales through these channels; no public pricing, ARR, or revenue figures are disclosed. The customer base is horizontally diversified across many small and mid-sized OEMs with no single end customer publicly identified.

Name

Lorlin

Legal name

Lorlin Electronics Ltd.

Website

https://lorlinelectronics.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lorlin Electronics is a UK-based, 1961-founded manufacturer of low-power rotary switches, key lock switches, and mains-rated switch modules, selling globally through catalog and regional electronics distributors to industrial, instrumentation, audio-equipment, and consumer-appliance OEMs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electro-Mechanical Switches

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Switchgear & Switchboards (HV/MV/LV, GIS/AIS) (IMAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA)

Keywords

• Rotary switches manufacturing
• Key lock switches
• Electro-mechanical switches
• Switch modules
• Low power switches

Headquarters

HQ city

Littlehampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electro-mechanical Switch Sales: Lorlin generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of electro-mechanical switches including rotary switches, key lock switches, and switch modules. Products range from simple on/off types to multi-circuit versions with many unique designs only available from Lorlin.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Lorlin Electronics designs and manufactures electro-mechanical switches at its Littlehampton, UK facility, specialising in low-power rotary switches, key lock switches (12mm, 16mm, and 19mm panel mount variants), and VDE/ENEC-approved mains switch modules. The company produces many unique proprietary switch designs and offers custom design modification, in-house tooling, and rapid prototyping for OEMs across industrial, instrumentation, audio, process control, and household appliance applications.

Product overview

Lorlin Electronics is a UK-based manufacturer of electro-mechanical switches established in 1961, offering three main product families: Key Lock Switches (in 12mm, 16mm, and 19mm panel mount sizes with various security levels and IP ratings), Rotary Switches (including CK/CKF/CKS series for standard applications, BCK/GCK for coded applications, RA/PT for precision instrumentation, RMS for mains isolation, and MT for sub-miniature needs), and Switch Modules (MS2000 Mains for rotary/push actuated mains switching). The portfolio includes switches rated from 0.5A to 80A, with IP ratings from none to IP67, and various approval standards including VDE ENEC. Products are available through global distributors and are used in applications ranging from household appliances to industrial instrumentation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CK Series Rotary Switch High quality multi-pole rotary switch suitable for low power applications, up to 4 poles and 12 ways with 1A @ 24V ac/dc resistive load. 27.5mm diameter with variable spindle lengths, solder tag and PCB terminals, available with gold terminals for signal switching below 0.4VA.
• CKF Series Sealed Rotary Switch Sealed version of the CK series with IP65 rating, manufactured in UL-V0 material; sealing provides smooth high quality feel.
• CKS Series IP67 Rotary Switch Highest level of water ingress protection in the CK family with front panel and spindle sealed to IP67.
• BCK Series Binary Coded Switch 16-position binary coded rotary switch available in Hexadecimal and Complementary code; sealed version available as BCKS.
• GCK Series Grey Coded Switch Grey coded rotary switch for process control applications; sealed version available as GCKS.
• RA Series Precision Wafer Switch Precision multi-pole wafer switch for high quality instrumentation with dual wiping contacts for low resistance switching; wafers can be stacked to provide numerous switching configurations.
• PT Series PCB Wafer Switch PCB mounted wafer switch for low level switching applications; available in multi-pole/multi-wafer configurations with terminals on 2.54mm pitch, life >10,000 cycles.
• RMS Series Rotary Mains Switch Double pole rotary mains switch providing mains isolation (>3mm gap) in the off position, rated 4A 250Vac with VDE ENEC approval.
• MT Series Sub-Miniature Rotary Switch Sub-miniature rotary switch capable of switching 500mA @ 24V ac/dc; available in 2-8 way configurations with short or long screwdriver slotted spindle options and gold plated contacts.
• MS2000 Mains Switch Module 2-pole mains rated rotary switch module ENEC approved to EN61058 by VDE; offers bracketed, plate or snap fit mounting options with PCB or solder contacts; rated 4/80A @ 240V ac.
• SRL Series 16mm Key Lock Switch Single or double pole snap fit key operated switch for 16mm panel mounting hole; 200 differ key options with modules up to 4A mains voltage; IP67 sealed option available as WRL series.
• SRLM Series Mains Key Lock Switch Two position key lock switch with snap fit, rated 4A 250Vac with normally open or normally closed mains isolating contacts; VDE ENEC approved; compact type SRLMC available.
• WRL Series IP67 Key Lock Switch Modified SRL with highest water ingress protection (IP67); single or double pole version.
• IRL Series Spring Return Key Lock Switch Spring return double pole modified SRL switch; waterproof IP66/IP67 version available as WIRL series.
• SKL Series 12mm Miniature Key Lock Switch Miniature switch for 12mm panel mounting hole, rated 0.5A 24V ac/dc with life >10,000 cycles, radial key design.
• LS120 & LS121 Series 12mm Key Lock Switch Single and double pole 12mm key lock switches with 7 pin tumblers; keys withdrawn in on and off positions.
• CKL Series 19mm Key Lock Switch 19mm key lock switch with snap to fit or bracketed CK switch modules; up to 2000 key combinations.
• MSL Series 19mm Mains Key Lock Switch 19mm key lock switch with snap to fit or bracketed double pole main switch modules rated 4A/250Vac; VDE ENEC approved; spring return type MIS available.
• RAL Series 19mm Key Lock Switch Adaptable 19mm key lock switch utilizing precision RA wafer switching; same key or up to 200 differs.
• LS300 Series 19mm High Security Key Lock Switch 19mm radial cylinder key lock switch with 7 pin tumblers offering 50,000 key combinations.
• DSL Series 19mm Dimpled High Security Key Lock Switch High security 19mm key lock switch with over 15,000 dimpled key combinations; snap to fit mains module rated 4A/250Vac with VDE ENEC approval; spring return version available.
• CSSL Series 19mm Keylock Switch New 19mm 2 and 3 position, single and double pole keylock switch with 5000 key combinations via dual internal wave key design; features large smooth plastic key fob for greater feel and precision.
• DSSL Series 19mm Dimpled Snap Fit Key Lock Switch 19mm 2 position mains rated dimpled high security snap fit key lock switch with 2 poles; switch module ENEC approved to EN61058-1.
• DBSL Series 19mm Dimpled Bracketed Fit Key Lock Switch 19mm 2 position mains rated dimpled high security bracketed fit key lock switches with 2 poles; switch module ENEC approved to EN61058-1.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Farnell Element 14coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal electronics component distributor offering Lorlin products to customers throughout Europe and worldwide. Covers all countries across global markets.
• RS ComponentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor global distributor of electronic and industrial products, providing worldwide distribution of Lorlin switch products.
• Anglia ComponentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based independent distributor serving the European Union market with Lorlin products.
• Mouser ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based global semiconductor and electronic component distributor offering Lorlin switches worldwide.
• Switches PlusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian distributor specializing in switches and related components.
• SP InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian distributor for Lorlin products in the Canadian market.
• Allied Electronics & AutomationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based distributor of electronic components and automation products offering Lorlin switches.
• BSI (British Standards Institution)coreTechnology or IntegrationQuality assurance partner providing ISO 9001 certification for Lorlin's quality management system since 1994.
• VDE Testing and Certification InstitutecoreTechnology or IntegrationGerman certification body providing ENEC EN61058-1 approval for Lorlin's mains-rated switch modules including MS2000, MS2874, and RMS1000 series.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Schurter: Schurter is a Swiss-based manufacturer of components for safe power supply and easy-to-use input systems including switches, EMC filters, and connectors. It is comparable to Lorlin in certified mains-rated and appliance switches with a similar European SME profile.

Direct peers

• ALPS Alpine: ALPS Alpine manufactures a wide range of switches including rotary, tactile, detection, and power switches for automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial markets — overlapping with Lorlin in rotary and switch modules.
• Grayhill: Grayhill manufactures custom and standard electromechanical switches, rotary switches, keylock switches, and operator interface solutions for industrial, military, and medical markets — directly comparable to Lorlin in rotary and key lock switch categories.
• E-Switch: E-Switch is a value-added distributor and supplier of electromechanical switches including tactile, toggle, slide, DIP, rotary, and keylock switches — directly overlapping with Lorlin's product portfolio across similar industrial and commercial OEM segments.
• Marquardt: Marquardt is a global manufacturer of electromechanical and electronic switches, including key switches, rocker switches, and snap-action switches for power tools, white goods, and automotive applications — directly comparable in key lock and mains-rated switch categories.
• C&K Components (Littelfuse): C&K Components, now part of Littelfuse, is a global manufacturer of electromechanical switches including toggle, pushbutton, slide, rotary, DIP, and keylock switches — directly comparable to Lorlin's rotary and key lock switch product lines across industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
• NKK Switches: NKK Switches designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of electromechanical switches including toggle, rocker, pushbutton, rotary, DIP, keylock, and slide switches, serving industrial, medical, audio, and process control applications with comparable customization and certification capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• TE Connectivity: TE Connectivity is a global connectivity and sensor company offering a wide range of electromechanical switches, relays, and circuit protection devices — competing with Lorlin in industrial, commercial, and appliance segments at much greater scale.
• Eaton (Electrical Components): Eaton is a diversified power management company offering industrial control switches, disconnect switches, and rotary cam switches. While broader in scope, it overlaps with Lorlin in mains-rated switching components for industrial applications.
• Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions: Honeywell's sensing division offers a broad portfolio of switches, sensors, and controls across industrial, aerospace, and transportation markets. While much larger, it competes with Lorlin in keylock, toggle, and limit switch categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lorlin