About us
Founded in 1946, Touch-Plate Lighting & Controls has been a leader in low-voltage lighting control systems. Our journey began with a simple idea: empowering people to control their lighting from a distance, revolutionizing convenience and energy efficiency for homes and businesses alike.
Our Early years
In 1946, Lloyd Hallamore launched Touch-Plate in Long Beach, California. The company’s signature product, the Touch-Plate relay, was an instant hit in residential markets across the country. By 1949, Touch-Plate was already gaining recognition and facing competition from major companies like GE and Square D. Through innovation and customer focus, Touch-Plate cemented its place as a key player in the lighting control industry.
Fun Fact: A Touch of Hollywood
Art Linkletter, a famous TV personality and close friend of
Lloyd Hallamore, was the majority owner of Touch-Plate in the 1950s, adding
celebrity sparkle to the brand’s history!
expanding our reach
Touch-Plate’s commitment to innovation led to diversification beyond residential lighting. In the 1960s, we expanded into the aerospace and defense industries, partnering with companies like Lockheed and Boeing. We also began serving larger commercial buildings, offering cutting-edge solutions for energy efficiency and remote control.
Ownership changes over the decades brought new ideas and opportunities for growth. After The Designer Switch-Plate Co. acquired Touch-Plate’s “Switches and Flush Plate” division in 1987, Doug Ford took over leadership and relocated the company to Fort Wayne, Indiana, then rebranded it as Touch-Plate in 1993. Under Doug’s direction, we introduced:
- Networkable Relay Panels
- Digital Wall Stations and Dimming Controls
- Time-Keeper. A Microsoft Windows-based Lighting Control Software
Fun Fact: Ahead of the Smart Home Trend!
Touch-Plate was pioneering remote lighting control long before smart homes became the norm.
Early adopters included farmers remotely managing barn heaters and bowling alleys controlling their lanes from behind the counter!
Today and Beyond
In 2021, after 35 years of leadership, Doug Ford retired, and longtime lead engineer Brandon Babcock became our new owner and president.
Brandon continues Touch-Plate’s proud tradition of innovation, ensuring that our customers receive reliable, energy-efficient solutions that meet the demands of modern life.
For nearly 80 years, Touch-Plate has delivered exceptional service and lighting solutions. With a history of innovation and a future focused on customer satisfaction, we’re excited to continue lighting the way forward!
dive through our archives!
We dug up some of our old marketing material, this vintage style brochure from the late 1940’s was so much fun, we had to share!
Looking for online support?
(our team members respond to tickets during our regular operational hours)
You can easily request support 24/7 using our online support ticket system!
Log in to your account right here and head to “My Account.” Find the tab labeled “Support Tickets” to get started!
You can leave us a detailed message about your situation, once a member of our team has ‘opened’ your ticket, you’ll even be able to upload pictures to store in your account!
Need Help? You can log-in or start an account by clicking the button above.
