CASE STUDY · PLASTOFERRITE & SERVICE
One Supplier, Zero Headaches
ONAMAG AG makes patented magnetic covers that protect Swiss manholes and drainage systems during road construction. When their previous supplier couldn't deliver reliable products or clear communication, they switched to Mainrich — and haven't looked back.
DDP
Door-to-Door Delivery
Lower
Unit Cost
Direct
Communication
THE CLIENT
ONAMAG AG — Magnetic Protection for Swiss Infrastructure
Based in Baar, Switzerland, ONAMAG AG develops patented magnetic covers for manholes, drainage channels, and groundwater protection. During road paving, hot asphalt and debris can fall into open manholes and sewer systems — contaminating infrastructure and groundwater, and creating safety hazards for workers.
ONAMAG's solution is simple and effective: plastoferrite-based magnetic covers that snap onto cast-iron manhole frames, sealing them during construction. Some products in the CLEAN-O line are designed to be single-use — they get paved over and recycled with the asphalt. Others in the PROTECT-O line are reusable. Either way, the magnets are the core of the product.
THE PROBLEM
Lost in Translation — and Lost Shipments
ONAMAG had been sourcing plastoferrite magnets from China through a trading representative. On paper it worked. In practice, it was a constant source of friction:
- 1.Communication gaps. Messages went through a middleman. Technical questions took days to get answers — sometimes the answers were wrong. When ONAMAG needed to discuss formulation details or tolerances, the rep couldn't relay the nuance.
- 2.Inconsistent quality. Magnetic pull strength varied between batches. Some covers didn't hold properly on manhole frames — a serious problem when the product is meant to keep asphalt out of sewers.
- 3.No flexibility. When ONAMAG wanted to adjust packaging, change dimensions, or try a different formulation, the answer was always "we'll check" — and then silence.
What ONAMAG Needed
- A supplier they could talk to directly — in English or German, not through a middleman
- Consistent plastoferrite magnetic strength, batch after batch
- Lower unit costs on single-use items to protect their margins
- A partner willing to iterate on packaging, sizing, and formulation
- Door-to-door shipping to Switzerland, handled end to end
HOW WE HELPED
Step by Step — From First Call to Ongoing Supply
Step 1
Listen
Direct Technical Conversation
From the first call, ONAMAG spoke directly with our team — no middleman, no relay. We discussed their plastoferrite requirements in detail: what magnetic pull force they needed on cast-iron frames, what temperatures the covers would face during asphalt laying, and why batch consistency was non-negotiable. We answered questions the same day, not a week later.
Step 2
Advise
Plastoferrite Formulation Guidance
ONAMAG's previous supplier had been shipping generic plastoferrite without much thought to the application. We reviewed their product requirements and advised on the right ferrite loading ratio and binder composition to balance magnetic strength against flexibility — their covers need to conform to slightly uneven manhole rims without cracking. We also helped them understand the trade-offs: more ferrite loading means stronger pull, but also more rigid and brittle material. We found the sweet spot together.
Step 3
Price
Unit Cost Reduction on Single-Use Items
Some ONAMAG products — like the CLEAN-O-IR that gets paved over during asphalt laying — are single-use by design. Every franc on the unit cost hits their margin directly. We worked with them to optimize the design for manufacturing efficiency, adjusted tooling to reduce waste, and offered pricing that reflected the volume commitment. The result: a lower cost per cover without compromising the magnetic performance that makes the product work.
Step 4
Adapt
Custom Packaging and Product Changes
When ONAMAG redesigned their packaging to better suit construction-site handling — stacking, weather resistance, clear labeling for their Swiss and German-speaking customers — we adapted our packaging line to match. When they wanted to adjust cover dimensions for a new manhole standard, we turned around new tooling samples within weeks, not months. No pushback, no "minimum order" roadblocks. Just straightforward execution.
Step 5
Ship
Door-to-Door, Fully Managed
ONAMAG didn't want to deal with freight forwarders, customs brokers, or tracking containers across the ocean. We handle shipping end to end — factory to their warehouse in Baar, Switzerland. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means the goods arrive at their door, cleared through customs, with no surprises on the invoice. They place an order and receive finished goods. Everything in between is our problem to solve.
THE DIFFERENCE
Before and After
| Aspect | Before (Previous Supplier) | After (Mainrich) |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Through a trading rep — slow, often inaccurate | Direct contact with our team — same-day replies |
| Product quality | Pull strength varied batch to batch | Consistent magnetic performance, tested before shipment |
| Technical advice | Generic product, no application guidance | Formulation advice tailored to their use case |
| Flexibility | Slow to change anything — packaging, dimensions, tooling | Custom packaging, new sizes turned around in weeks |
| Pricing | Middleman markup on every order | Factory-direct pricing, lower unit cost on single-use items |
| Shipping | ONAMAG arranged their own freight and customs | DDP to their door in Switzerland — fully managed |
THE RESULT
A Partnership, Not Just a Purchase Order
Today, Mainrich is ONAMAG's sole magnet supplier. Every plastoferrite component in their CLEAN-O and PROTECT-O product lines comes from our factory.
When they need to iterate — a new cover size for a different manhole standard, a packaging change for a new distribution partner, a formulation tweak for a customer trial — they call us and it gets done. No committee, no month-long review process.
This is what working with a manufacturer looks like: you talk to the people who make your product, and they care about getting it right because your success is their success.
Why It Works
- Direct line. No middlemen, no translation errors, no waiting for someone to relay your message.
- Factory flexibility. We own the tooling, the production line, and the process. Changes happen fast.
- Fair pricing. No trading-company markup. Volume pricing that helps their margins on single-use products.
- End-to-end logistics. We handle shipping, customs, and delivery. They receive goods at their warehouse — that's it.
Tired of Supplier Headaches?
If your current supplier isn't giving you clear answers, consistent quality, or competitive pricing — talk to us. We'll tell you honestly what we can and can't do.