A door handle that sets a new standard

LEARO has gone from idea to reality with a with great help from NewTracks.

In 1878, the door handle as we know it today was patented. Since then, it has barely changed – until now.

The Horten-based company LEARO has developed a new, modern door handle that combines function, form, and finish in a way that reinvents a 150-year-old product.

– I wanted to create a door handle that not only does its job, but actually gets noticed. A small touch – quite literally – that can elevate the entire room, says Robin Larsen, founder and CEO of LEARO.

A NOTICABLE DOOR HANDLE: Designed at home on a kitchen table.

From the kitchen table to international production

The story of LEARO began at the kitchen table in Skoppum, where Robin Larsen, a carpenter and now designer, started sketching a door handle that would both function perfectly and feel just right.

To bring the idea from the drawing board to the world, LEARO needed a manufacturing partner with precision expertise and experience in scaling new products. That’s where NewTracks came in.

None of us had done this before. At first, we thought it could be manufactured in Norway, but we quickly realized that wasn’t possible. I did a quick Google search, and the first result that came up was NewTracks, Larsen explains. 

He quickly got in touch with NewTracks’ CEO, Julius Espedal — and the timing couldn’t have been better.

From design to functional product 

When LEARO contacted NewTracks, the door handle design was complete. It was important for LEARO that no one altered its visual expression. The challenge lay in making the door handle function as well as possible – both technically and in terms of production.

– No one has been allowed to touch the design, but we needed help to make the door handle work properly. NewTracks has contributed significant insight and elevated it from an idea to full-scale production. They’ve worked hard to ensure the product became as good as it possibly could be, Larsen explains.

NewTracks took responsibility for the entire transition – from prototype to a production-ready model. This required industrial adaptation and optimization before the door handle could be manufactured on a large scale.

– It has been an exciting journey with LEARO. We have been part of taking the product from design, via prototypes and into serial production, says Julius Espedal in NewTracks. 

The project involved close collaboration with mechanical engineers and production technicians. NewTracks contributed with material selection, process planning, and tool development to ensure consistent quality and efficient production.

FROM THE PRODUCTION PROCESS: The door handle is checked and measured.

Technical presision and selection of materials

The door handle is now manufactured in powder-coated aluminum, chosen for its light weight, high durability, and stable surface finish. Along the way, NewTracks has helped develop processes that ensure:

• Precise tolerances in machining and surface treatment.

• A matte, premium finish that withstands daily use.

• A movable upper section that provides better grip, also compatible with older lock cases.

• An all-in-one solution for quick and easy installation.

The combination of design and engineering results in a product that feels solid, lasts for years, and can be mass-produced without compromising its visual expression.

A collaboration that builds trust

Throughout the entire development process, the dialogue between LEARO and NewTracks has been close and solution-oriented.

– The collaboration has been very positive. I’ve spoken a lot with both Julius and the team working at the factory in China. NewTracks is very proactive and has continuously suggested improvements, which I really appreciate. It’s been valuable to receive input from all sides, especially when I am deeply immersed in my own bubble, Larsen elaborates.

The partnership demonstrates how Norwegian innovation and international manufacturing expertise can complement each other. For LEARO, it was crucial to find a partner capable of safeguarding both precision and vision. For NewTracks, this is an example of how we help entrepreneurs and product developers scale ideas from prototype to market.

LAUNCHED IN THREE DIFFERENT COLORS: White, black, and titanium gray.

The result: Norwegian design with industrial precision

The LEARO door handle has now been launched in three colors: white, black, and titanium gray. It has already received significant attention within the design community. The product has been nominated for “Newcomer of the Year” at an entrepreneurship festival in Sandefjord — a clear sign that the combination of Norwegian design and industrial quality has struck a chord in the market.

About LEARO

LEARO AS is a Norwegian design and manufacturing company based in Horten. Founded by carpenter and designer Robin Larsen, the company aims to reinvent everyday objects through functional aesthetics and timeless design.

More information: LEAROdesign.com

About NewTracks

NewTracks helps companies and entrepreneurs bring innovative ideas from concept to production. With experience in product development, prototyping, and serial manufacturing, the company delivers solutions where design meets industry — with quality and precision as the standard.