That is according to Ane Bryn-Haugland, Nordic sales director and co-owner of Mill International, which is headquartered at Grini Business Park outside Oslo.
This autumn, the company is launching a new range of panel heaters, starting with three models in two power classes and with two control options.
Mill Color can be hung directly on the wall, or painted in the desired colour. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
– The front is made of calcium silicate, which is used, among other things, in fireproof wall boards. We have worked extensively on the surface to give it a matt, plaster-like texture, so that it blends seamlessly with the wall. The surface is pre-painted white, so the heater can be hung directly on the wall, or painted in the desired colour, preferably the same colour as the wall, says product and marketing manager Cecilie Uggen Stang-Lund.
Annonse
Unpainted, Mill Color is designed to blend in with a white wall. Photo: Mill
– This is our first heater with a matt surface, says Mill founder and co-owner Philip Bryn-Haugland.
Painting and installation
The coloured version of the heater that we see at Mill's headquarters was painted by Stang-Lund. She describes the painting process as follows:
– Since the front is already painted matt white, it does not need priming. Wipe it with a cloth and apply two coats of ordinary wall paint. You can paint the front panel and the sides while the heater is hanging on the wall, or you can unscrew the front panel if you also want to paint the parts visible from the back, says Stang-Lund.
Annonse
Initially, models of 250 and 700 watts will be available. The 700-watt model comes with fourth-generation Wi-Fi, and in a version with an electronic thermostat featuring day and night programmes.
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Philip Bryn-Haugland demonstrates how the calcium silicate front panel can be unscrewed for painting. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
– The main focus of this autumn's launch is Norway and the Nordic countries, but we will also launch in the Netherlands, the Baltic states and Switzerland. The design and all development take place in Norway, while production takes place in China, says Ane Bryn-Haugland.
Her husband Philip adds:
– Production takes place at the same factory that produces our other panel heaters.
Durability and spare parts
– Can you tell us a little about the challenges you have had to work on?
Annonse
– The material is challenging, and we have spent time and resources on being able to deliver it pre-painted. We have also worked extensively on the mounting on the back of the front panel, replies Philip Bryn-Haugland.
– This is a completely different material from steel or glass, which we use in our other heaters, but we have succeeded in finding a solution that can withstand a great deal without cracking. Should anyone nevertheless be unfortunate enough to get a crack, we keep extra panels in stock, says Andreas Krona, managing director of Mill.
When painted, Mill Color is designed to blend in with a wall of the same colour. Photo: Mill
Ane Bryn-Haugland says that a number of drop tests have been carried out.
– The calcium silicate panel is a more delicate material, but we have worked extensively on the solution so that we could use our existing sustainable packaging, and we have tested that they can withstand transport, she says.
– The 700-watt model weighs seven kilograms. By comparison, a corresponding model with a glass panel weighs five kilograms, says Stang-Lund.
Slightly more expensive
The price difference between the same heaters is around NOK 300.
– This is a more expensive material and a complex manufacturing process. Nevertheless, we have succeeded in keeping prices down, so that customers can choose a steel front, glass front or Color, says Philip Bryn-Haugland.
The technology behind the front panel is the same, and is based on a glass panel heater.
Andreas Krona and Ane Bryn-Haugland with Mill Color in the first two sizes. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
– It is a proven heater. The Color series has a different front and a back panel with only minor changes, Philip Bryn-Haugland tells trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen.
Ane Bryn-Haugland believes Color may sell better out of season than the other models.
– People renovate all year round. If they are going to paint anyway, they may also choose to replace their heater with one that can be painted, she says.
Mill Color can be painted with ordinary wall paint. Photo: Mill
– What expectations do you have for the Color series?
– They are high, and we hope that in four or five years we will have a further expanded Color series that forms part of a standard retail range, says Philip Bryn-Haugland.
– This is a mass-market product, not a niche product, which will be sold both in electrical retail and builders’ merchants, says Krona.
The article was previously published in the print edition of the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen no. 4/2026, which was distributed in week 35. Here you can read the article and browse through the digital edition of the magazine. You can read all editions of the magazine digitally, from no. 1/1937 onwards, at elektronikkbransjen.no/historiskarkiv.
