Sensitile continues growing as worldwide demand for its decorative architectural material increases
A line of Sensitile's materials.
Photo courtesy of Sensitile
Vanika Lath, wife of Sensitle Systems founder, Abhinand Lath, estimates the company is growing by 110 percent annually.
In one of several product lines, Sensitile uses special glass and acrylic pieces that are layered together with different iridescent sheets inside. Depending on the angle or intensity of lighting, it appear as if the material is twinkling, shimmering or flashing.
The reflection and refraction of the light on the surfaces, Lath explained, “enhances the beauty of interior space, usually as an accent material.”
The panels are installed in modern restaurants, hotels, hospitals, malls, bars, stores, public spaces and a range of other locations. The material is on floors, walls, tabletops, doors, lamps and more.
Sensitile’s local clients include the University of Michigan Health System, although Lath said there has been little effort to market locally and the company's clients can be found across the globe. In Sensitile's showroom are pieces similar to those produced for a mall in Hong Kong and Duke Energy in North Carolina.
The concept for the material came to Abhinand Lath while he studied architecture at the University of Michigan. He began producing it with a small team in an 8,000-square-foot shop in Detroit before relocating to Ypsilanti Township in 2008.
Sensitile's Ypsilanti Township facility.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Their growth rate is such that Vanika Lath has temporarily quit her work as a physician to help Abhinand Lath run Sensitile, and they are continuing to expand their workforce.
But Lath said finding the right people to fit into their team of 20 employees at a growing, pioneering company is as challenging as meeting demand. Still, she said, she believes the elements for continued growth are in place.
“The product is unique, the way we do business is different and we have a very committed group of people as employees who form an excellent team,” she said.
To help improve efficiency and diversify, Sensitile is purchasing new equipment and seeking an industrial tax exemption from Ypsilanti Township worth $222,000 over 12 years.
The township Board of Trustees will likely vote on the exemption at the next regular board meeting.
Comments
Steve Darras
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
Sensitile manufactures clear and colored panel of acrylic with inserted small surface of mirrors and tiles composed of a concrete mix with embedded light conducting channels. Their product only works once lighted. Sensitile doesn't supply LED lights. Their Customers should be Interior Designer, General Contractor and other involved with interior design. It is an expensive product and can only be installed in High end Bar, Hotel, Night Club, Restaurant and Homes owned by rich and famous. Unfortunatly when I have (I am a Mirror TV manufacturer) requested to purchase their product. The owner has never responded to my several emails and their marketing department has been very unprofessional. I got 1 email from "Info Sensitile" forcing my company to do the following: I would have to give up the name of my customer then my customer would have to pay them and if I am lucky i will get a 10% commission. This is not a normal US business practices. No one should be forced to give their end customer name and a 10% commission is too small to cover the high cost of doing business nowdays.
Chickadee
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : noon
Sounds like a great product. Good to have it here in Washtenaw Co!
Carole
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 10:28 a.m.
Very exciting -- best wishes to the company and continued growth.
JimFuester
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 2:32 a.m.
How awesome of them to bring the business to Ypsi/Ann Arbor area from Detroit... Great to read of a really cool start-up taking root here in Michigan, and locally too.
Linda Peck
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
It is great to read about successful manufacturing in Washtenaw County.