|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
A.A.A. Beauty Supply Promoting World`s First `No Touch` Switch
2005/11/02
Established in 1990 in central Taiwan, A.A.A. Beauty Supply Co. has been a prestigious manufacturer specializing in the production of various kinds of mirrors, particularly bathroom mirrors and makeup mirrors.
Unlike most of its counterparts, the company has decided to stay in Taiwan to turn out high-end mirrors under its own brand name `O-MAX.` To assure quality, all of the company`s products have been approved with such international safety standards as CE and UL. Moreover, the company has also won the certificate of ISO 9001 based on its streamlined facilities, skillful workforce and efficient management.
Today almost 100% of company`s mirrors have been exported, mainly to Europe and the United States. "We usually categorize our mirrors into two types--wall-mounted and desk-top, and the materials used for the frame of mirrors are mostly stainless steel or brass subject to customers` needs," Bob Shih, chairman of the company, indicates. "To comply with the interior decoration of the room, the frames of our mirrors are available in various coating or finish from chrome, gold to satin nickel and PVD (physical vapor deposition)."
"It`s always our goal to seek technical breakthrough to bring more value to traditional mirrors and make them look more elegant," Shih emphasizes. "Most of our mirrors are installed or attached with bulbs, which give back or side light to the mirror. In traditional models of mirrors we have installed `flip` switches on the stands, bases or the frames of the mirrors. Later on we have developed touch-control lamp mirrors to replace the traditional ones. The mirrors can be lighted up with only a slight touch, which have gained great popularity among the consumers in the market."
Furthermore, A.A.A. Beauty Supply recently unveiled its newly developed `no-touch` infrared device that can turn on the light without even a `touch.` `About two years ago when severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic broke out and was soon rampant in many countries. The whole world was then in panic. People were afraid of touching any objects in public areas that might be contaminated with the virus," Shih recalls. "In order to help people get rid of the `touch` fear, I suddenly felt like to develop a switch that needs no more contact."
Being engaged in the development of the device for more than two years, A.A.A. Beauty Supply has at last successfully created a `no touch` infrared switch, which can be applied to lamps and any objects that need light.
"It`s easy to get the idea, but it`s really hard to realize it. The R & D team of the company has thereafter spent more than two years in creating the device, not even mentioned the investment of more than NT$3 million (US$88,235 at US$1 = NT$34) in the project. The general mechanism of the device is almost the same as a traditional one and the difference is the special design in the IC installed in the new device, which utilizes the sensory function of infrared ray to turn on the switch," Shih states.
Since the device needs no more touch to turn on the light, it is therefore more durable than its traditional counterpart. So far the device has passed the test for more than 500,000 times of turning on light without being touched. "I believe the device is the world`s first of its kind and has been patented in Taiwan, Japan, Germany, and mainland China. And the one in the United States is pending and believed to be approved soon," Shih confirms.
The `no touch` switch can be installed in almost any kind of products that need light, mainly lamps. Currently the company uses the switch mostly in its mirrors, making the mirrors look more elegant and become more convenient in use.
"To cater to different tastes in different markets, we are determined to keep developing different designs and patterns for the switch. Different market demands encourage us to diversify the model of the device and this is the market niche we have," Shih notes.
Today A.A.A. Beauty Supply`s plant in Taiwan has a total of more than 50 workers, of which, five are designers and product developers. "Compared to the manufacturers in the mainland, we have experienced higher manufacturing cost. So, to be competitive in the world market, we have to devote ourselves to developing more innovative high-end products," Shih says. " R & D needs strenuous efforts. Our R & D team will watch closely on the market trend and create the products that meet the market need. "
To promote the newly developed `no touch` infrared switch, A.A.A. Beauty Supply is going to actively participate in related international shows in the coming year to expose the device to potential buyers.
(by Judy)
|
|
| Advertisement |
 |
|
 |
|
|
