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On June 17, 2025, New Water Capital announced that its portfolio company Nelson Miller Group completed the acquisition of New England Keyboard, Inc., a specialist in rugged human–machine interface components such as keyboards, keypads, and membrane switches. This deal highlights a broader consolidation in the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) supply chain and underscores how cockpit hardware suppliers are preparing for tougher performance and

A membrane switch is a slim, sealed user interface made from layered flexible materials that houses printed circuitry and a tactile or non-tactile actuating surface. In medical devices, these low-profile switches combine compact design with easy-to-clean surfaces—qualities that directly address two non-negotiable needs in healthcare: strict hygiene and dependable performance. Healthcare environments demand controls that withstand repeated disinfection, resist fluid ingress,

A Quiet Shift in Industrial Interfaces You are staring at another batch of returned units, each bearing the same sticky, half-melted rocker that your legacy supplier swore would “never fail in the field.” While the finance team tallies the mounting warranty claims, your engineering group is already sketching a slimmer, cleaner front panel—one that could free up internal space and

Why Membrane Switch Design Starts with Simplicity Every control interface begins with a simple question: how do we turn human intent into a reliable signal without adding bulk or complexity? The membrane switch answers that question by stacking thin layers into a sealed, low-profile keypad that fits almost anywhere. In the sections ahead, we peel back those layers, show how

Global demand for membrane switches is surging, driven by the growing need for slim, sealed, and cost-effective interfaces across sectors like medical devices, consumer electronics, and industrial automation. According to a recent forecast by Research and Markets, the membrane switch market is projected to reach USD 4.77 billion by 2030—reflecting steady adoption in both legacy systems and new product designs.