Innovation through Long-Term Partnerships: The Qwerty & 3M Story

Innovations in industry often arise from long-term partnerships between companies that share knowledge, experience, and jointly seek new solutions. Strong business relationships, built on mutual trust and technological exchange, form the foundation for the development of advanced products that meet market needs and set new quality standards.

In this article, we would like to share the story of such a collaboration with 3M—a partnership that not only contributed to Qwerty’s growth but also serves as an excellent example of how long-term business relationships can stimulate innovation and development.

The Beginnings of Our Collaboration with 3M – Times of Change and Key Decisions

Our journey with 3M began in the early 1990s, during a period of significant economic transformation in Poland. We were one of the first clients of 3M Poland, which remains a source of pride today. The early production of foil keyboards in Poland presented many technological challenges. We already had quality polyester foils for printing conductive circuits and graphics, but lacked materials necessary for assembly—high-quality double-sided adhesive tapes.

We faced the classic paradox of a young business: on one hand, 3M materials represented a costly investment; on the other, they were essential to deliver top-quality products. We made the strategic decision to use 3M tapes despite their high price, enabling us to compete for clients demanding reliable membrane keyboards.

Technological Advantages of 3M Materials

As double-sided adhesive tape is a critical component of our keyboard construction, we carefully tested alternatives from other manufacturers. We wanted an informed choice, backed by data, rather than driven by a lack of options at the early stage of our business.

Our laboratory conducted rigorous tests to identify materials that met the high standards of electronics production. Most alternative products suffered from a fundamental flaw: adhesive overflow in laser-cut holes, causing keys to stick to the conductive layer and resulting in electrical shorts, disqualifying them for membrane keyboards.

Today, we can confidently say that 3M products surpass competitors in many areas:

• Stability and precision of adhesion – 3M tapes maintain exceptional adhesive stability, holding firmly to the polyester carrier without “flowing.”
• Repositionability – the ability to adjust placement shortly after application is invaluable during assembly of complex electronic layouts.
• High mechanical strength – strong bonding along cut edges and resistance to gravity ensure durability even under demanding conditions.
• Thermal resistance – stability across temperature variations guarantees reliable keyboard performance in diverse environments.

These properties clearly differentiate 3M tapes from other suppliers, ensuring our keyboards achieve maximum durability and fail-free operation.

Knowledge and Technology Exchange

From the outset, we focused on developing our own technologies and innovative solutions. Our research laboratory is not only a quality control and testing center but also a hub of innovation where advanced printing technologies are developed, new production methods are tested, and innovative materials are explored. This space also serves as a collaboration platform with our technological partners, including 3M.

R&D staff from 3M in Warsaw and Wrocław regularly visit our laboratory for consultations or to test new materials. This provides access to innovative solutions, often before they are officially released to the market. The exchange of experience is invaluable for the development of both companies.

As a manufacturing enterprise, we provide insights into actual market needs and technological challenges. Meanwhile, 3M scientists, operating in a research space that grants them creative freedom, develop innovative materials often exceeding the original assumptions. This is a model example of synergy between science and industry, accelerating technological progress.

Joint Initiatives and Events

Our collaboration with 3M goes beyond a typical supplier-customer relationship. We regularly organize joint events for our clients, showcasing complementary products and technological solutions. Special demonstration kits are prepared for these occasions, enabling hands-on keyboard assembly. These workshops allow clients to understand the challenges faced by a producer like Qwerty and serve as inspiring technological education.

Our most recent joint meeting took place at the 3M facility in Wrocław—the only Superhub of its kind in this part of Europe. Participants had a unique opportunity to observe the production of double-sided adhesive tapes, offering fascinating insights into advanced material technologies.

The Future of Collaboration – Barrier Films and OLED

Our partnership with 3M continues to evolve in line with technological trends. We are currently focusing on barrier films—essential for manufacturing printed OLED displays. This technology represents the future of display industry, offering better performance with lower energy consumption.

In our laboratory, we are working intensively to integrate these materials with our proprietary electronic printing technologies. By combining 3M barrier films with our conductive printing methods, we create complete solutions for printed electronics—from flexible sensors to advanced user interfaces and fully functional displays.

This collaboration in advanced technologies allows us to maintain a leading position in innovation for electronic interfaces. Our proprietary solutions, supported by top-quality 3M materials, create unique products meeting the most demanding requirements of modern industry.

Qwerty & 3M – 30 Years of Technological Partnership

Thirty years of collaboration between Qwerty and 3M is more than a business partnership—it is a shared history of innovation, mutual learning, and overcoming technological challenges. From the first boxes of adhesive tapes to advanced barrier films for OLED displays, our cooperation continues to grow.

This is an excellent example of how stable, long-term business relationships foster mutual development and competitive advantage. At Qwerty, we believe the most enduring innovations are built on such foundations—those that truly raise industry standards and improve the quality of life for users of our products.