Quality in Color and Innovation: Sherwin-Williams Case Study
Harsh environments can quickly wear down standard keyboards. This customer story shows how Sherwin-Williams improved reliability in manufacturing operations using rugged iKey keyboards designed for demanding conditions. Read the story to see how durable peripherals supported daily production workflows.
Why did Sherwin-Williams switch to iKey industrial keyboards?
The Sherwin-Williams Chicago facility was struggling with standard, nonindustrial keyboards that couldn’t handle their harsh working environment. These keyboards were failing due to exposure to dust, liquids, heavy use, and frequent cleaning.
They needed input devices that were:
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Fully sealed
- Durable enough for operators with “heavy hands”
- Reliable in fast-paced manufacturing and warehouse settings
Around 2005, corporate procurement at Sherwin-Williams selected iKey as part of a broader search for rugged equipment. The Chicago facility chose three iKey models—DU-5K, SL-91, and DP-860—because they could withstand:
- Manufacturing workstations
- Warehouses
- Integrated consoles
- Forklifts
- Shipping applications
Over roughly 10 years of use, the facility has continued purchasing iKey products because they’ve proven reliable, easy for employees to use, and straightforward to integrate into different applications.
How are iKey keyboards used in Sherwin-Williams’ daily operations?
Sherwin-Williams’ Chicago facility uses iKey keyboards across multiple parts of its operation, from batch production to shipping and mobile data entry.
Key use cases include:
1. **Batch production workstations**
Each keyboard at a workstation supports a batch-making process, where a “batch” is essentially a recipe for paint. The facility processes about **30–50 batches per day**, which are then packaged and shipped. Operators work quickly and apply a lot of force to the keys, so the keyboards must handle constant, heavy use.
2. **Manufacturing and warehouse environments**
The **DU-5K** is used in the manufacturing area. Its industrial silicone rubber construction seals out dust and stands up to day-to-day abuse in a fast-paced environment. It can be deployed in both desktop and mobile setups and includes an improved Force Sensing Resistor pointing device for cursor control.
3. **Forklifts and shipping applications**
The **SL-91** is used as a mobile keyboard for remote data entry, especially on forklifts and in shipping. It features:
- Epoxy-coated keys that tolerate frequent cleaning with harsh chemicals
- Key spacing that works well with gloved hands
- Built-in mounting holes for easy installation on forklifts
- Compliance with **NEMA 4X** standards, supporting use in tough, wet, or corrosive environments
Because Sherwin-Williams runs a large supply chain with diverse architectural, industrial, and military-related applications, they rely on multiple iKey models to fit different roles rather than a single one-size-fits-all device.
What results has Sherwin-Williams seen after 10 years with iKey?
The Sherwin-Williams Chicago facility has been using iKey keyboards since **2005**, and over roughly **10 years** they’ve seen consistent, practical benefits.
Key outcomes include:
- **Long-term reliability**: The DU-5K, SL-91, and DP-860 models have held up under heavy daily use in harsh environments, replacing nonindustrial keyboards that frequently failed.
- **Operational fit across multiple applications**: The facility uses different iKey products for manufacturing workstations, warehouses, integrated consoles, forklifts, and shipping. This flexibility has helped them standardize on rugged input devices across varied workflows.
- **Ease of use for operators**: According to Rich Davalos from Sherwin-Williams, operators adapted quickly to the SL-91 forklift and shipping keyboards. The learning curve was minimal, and no formal training was required, which reduced disruption during rollout.
- **Ongoing purchasing and confidence**: Since starting with iKey in 2005, the Chicago facility has continued to purchase multiple iKey products and plans to keep doing so. Davalos notes that iKey keyboards have provided strong value to their projects, applications, and verticals, and he would recommend iKey to others needing rugged equipment.
These results align with iKey’s broader focus: designing and manufacturing rugged, sealed keyboards, displays, and pointing devices for industrial, public safety, medical, and military applications in **88 countries** worldwide.
Quality in Color and Innovation: Sherwin-Williams Case Study
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