At NYControlled 2025, I sat down with Bart Manguno, Commercial Business Director at PLC Multipoint, to discuss the company’s history, product line, and their latest Tandem Relay Panel innovation.

A Legacy in Lighting Controls

PLC Multipoint has been a presence in the lighting control space for 35 years. With multiple divisions — OEM, commercial, and transportation — the company is known for large-scale projects like the Brooklyn Battery Bridge in Manhattan. Manguno emphasized that durability and reliability are at the heart of PLC Multipoint’s philosophy. “At the end of the day, they last. That’s really what our legacy is,” he said.

Introducing Tandem Relay Panels

Tandem relay panels have been a mainstay of PLC Multipoint’s commercial division for years. Currently in its second generation, the system has thousands of units in operation. Manguno explained that, despite the rise of wireless and distributed controls, the traditional relay panel remains essential for its simplicity and reliability. “The beauty of that is we know it works. Our pitch is to the end user and the maintenance guy who has to live with that system once the manufacturer has left,” he said.

Upgrading to Tandem 3

PLC Multipoint is now expanding the product line with Tandem 3. This next-generation relay panel features upgraded software, firmware, more dimming units, and additional hardware, allowing for broader applications. Manguno emphasized that the system is designed for simplicity at the job site. “Once we leave the job, the end user needs to be able to make small changes easily — open and close times, one-button adjustments. Our stuff is simple push button,” he said.

Availability

The current Tandem 2 system is available immediately, while Tandem 3 is scheduled to ship in the first quarter of 2026. Manguno concluded, “We focus on reliability, ease of use, and expanding capability — that’s what Tandem 3 delivers.”