For over a century, Clipsal has been a leader in the electrical accessories industry, shaping the way Australians live and work with its innovative solutions. From humble beginnings in Adelaide in 1920 to becoming a trusted name for homeowners, designers, electricians, and architects, Clipsal has constanty evolved to meet the demands of modern lifestyles. Now, as part of Schneider Electric, the brand continues to push boundaries in energy efficiency, smart home automation, and design excellence.
We are delighted that Clipsal by Schneider Electric will be exhibiting at Stand E2 of Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF), 16 – 18 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
In this interview with the team, we delve into Clipsal’s journey of innovation, exploring how its Adelaide-based Pacific Design Lab drives cutting-edge product development, the design principles behind its award-winning ranges, and the flexibility of its Iconic series. We also uncover the unique features of the Wiser Smart Home System, Clipsal’s commitment to sustainability, and the exciting launch of the Clipsal Solis™ Collection at Decor + Design 2025. Read on for insights into the future of designer electrical solutions.
Solis in Matte Black, Clipsal by Schneider Electric
Clipsal has been a pioneer in electrical accessories since 1920. How has the brand maintained its innovative edge over the past century?
From our base in Adelaide, Clipsal continues to create, develop, and support new ways of living and working. With products spanning electrical safety and energy solutions, to switchgear and smart home automation, it is a trusted brand for homeowners, interior designers, electricians, and architects and continues to evolve with Australian lifestyles by addressing emerging trends.
Since becoming part of Schneider Electric in 2003, how has this partnership influenced Clipsal’s product development and global reach?
This helped us form a formidable partnership as Schneider Electric provides energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability for customers throughout the world in four end markets: buildings, data centres, industry, and infrastructure.
Today, Clipsal by Schneider Electric has 450 employees at our South Australian operations across R&D, engineering, design, manufacture, operations, logistics, sales, and marketing. The centre for manufacturing excellence at Gepps Cross in Northern Adelaide has expanded to support not only the Clipsal portfolio, but also Schneider Electric’s customers across Australia and New Zealand and produces nearly 6,000 different types of products.
Can you share how the Adelaide-based Pacific Design Lab contributes to product innovation and design excellence?
Adelaide is also the site of Schneider Electric’s Pacific Design Lab, one of several such facilities around the world where teams of designers work at the forefront of design and innovation to create products for homes and businesses.
VP Design Asia-Pacific, Tim Turrini-Rochford, says our design philosophy is empathetic and focused on innovation. “Design can be misunderstood as a decorative, superficial process, in reality user focused design is an empathetic problem-solving process which aims to improve situations for people. This is deeply tied to innovation as the most successful, innovative products are those that solve problems in people’s lives.”
Image: Clipsal by Schneider Electric
Your products have received accolades like the Good Design Award. What design principles underpin this success?
It’s a remarkable achievement that every new range has won the Good Design Australia award and additionally many have also won iF and Red Dot awards. These awards recognise our guiding principle of placing the user at the centre of our design process. Good design is contextual and cultural, and we understand that designers must be imbedded in and connected to the local markets they are designing for and the users and customers who form these markets. We believe that every home deserves good design, design isn’t a luxury but rather something that everyone should have access to through well considered and thoughtful products.
The Iconic range offers customisable skins and features. How does this flexibility cater to diverse consumer preferences?
Once the Iconic grid plates are safely installed by a qualified electrician, homeowners can change their light switch and power point covers at any time. All they have to do is clip off the standard cover and clip on their preferred style for a fresh new look! This means that customers to can choose to update or change up their skins depending on the style of the room or their changing tastes and preferences.
How does the Wiser Smart Home System enhance everyday living, and what sets it apart from other smart home solutions?
Clipsal Wiser enhances everyday living by simplifying and automating daily routines, allowing control of the home while away for added peace of mind and helping consumers improve their home energy efficiency.
What sets Clipsal Wiser apart is the modularity, flexibility and scalability allowing consumers to start very small with minimal outlay or to scale up and control almost everything in the home. Wiser also fits seamlessly into the Clipsal Iconic wall switch platform allowing simple upgrades from standard switches. Wiser utilizes the homes standard wiring and is very simple to install and setup and is also easily configurable by the end user.
What also separates Wiser from the rest is that Wiser Iconic devices were designed in Adelaide where there is over 30 years’ experience in home Automation all while being backed globally by the innovation engine of Schneider Electric.
Image: Clipsal by Schneider Electric
How does Clipsal incorporate sustainability into its product design and manufacturing processes?
As Clipsal evolves with Australian lifestyles, it is addressing emerging trends. Today, a significant challenge is the use of energy in the home and Schneider Electric’s expertise coupled with Clipsal’s local ingenuity has enabled Clipsal to focus on developing solutions for efficient, seamless living that supports the way Australians live, work, and entertain at home.
“A new era of residential energy management is emerging in Australia in response to rising energy prices and environmental concerns,” says Vice President Home & Distribution, Schneider Electric, Chris Kerr. “We know many homeowners have made changes to their home to make electricity bills cheaper, while at the same time technology has been increasingly accepted as a means to improve ways of living.
We are delighted that Clipsal by Schneider Electric will be exhibiting at Decor + Design 2025. Why should designers visit your stand?
To explore our Clipsal Solis™ Collection, an exciting new benchmark in the electrical category for Australian homes. World-class design, premium materials, and precision engineering come together in this ground-breaking range of electrical switches and power points. It is also fully compatible with Wiser™ Smart Home, giving the homeowner complete control and flexibility.
Don’t miss chatting to the Clipsal team at Stand E2 of Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF), 16 – 18 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Register now to visit – entry to the exhibition is free but limited to design trade visitors.