2023 Connector Industry Acquisitions
Suppliers reached deeper into connected systems and adjacent technologies to expand capabilities with strategic acquisitions in 2023. Our annual acquisitions roundup tracks growth and changes at connector companies.
The interconnect industry continues to become more interconnected as suppliers expand services, capabilities, products, and supply chains with strategic acquisitions. Several significant changes occurred in 2023 as companies reached for new expertise, product lines, regional access, and supply chain advantages by acquiring these strengths. Products related to RF capabilities, microwave technologies, military and aerospace, fiber optics, Test & Measurement, and materials are among the motivating factors in the year’s acquisitions. Since the 1980s, the electronics industry has seen hundreds of mergers and acquisitions. The pace of consolidation has greatly slowed, but 2023’s acquisitions roundup includes many significant moves.
January 2023
Smiths Interconnect Acquires Plastronics
Smiths Interconnect, a division of Smiths Group plc, acquired Plastronics Sockets & Connectors, a leading supplier of burn-in test sockets and patented spring probe contacts for the semiconductor test market segment, as well as custom connectors for industrial applications. Plastronics’ technology, products, and capabilities complement and strengthen Smiths Interconnect’s existing portfolio of products and support the company’s ambition to be the partner of choice for semiconductor test customers around the world.
“I am delighted to welcome Plastronics to the Smiths Interconnect family of technology brands. We are proud of our heritage supplying technically differentiated components critical to our customers’ products and operations,” said Smiths Interconnect President Julian Fagge. “Plastronics fits very well with our long-term strategy, adding new technology, products and capabilities to the business and strengthens our position across our customer base.” Plastronics is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Schurter Family Places Majority Interest in SCHURTER Group in New Hands
Swiss investor Capvis, a specialist in midcap investments, acquired a majority interest in the Lucerne-based SCHURTER Group. The founding family and current owner of the group will retain an interest and will be represented on the board of directors by Thomas Schurter. Based in Lucerne with a total of 20 subsidiaries in 17 countries, the SCHURTER Group is a successful producer of components for ensuring the clean and safe supply of power, input systems, and sophisticated integrated electronic solutions.
“In the interests of business continuity, the family had jointly decided a few years ago that Cyrill Schurter, as a representative of the fourth generation, would assume management responsibility for the company in the medium to long term. The necessary steps had already been initiated and even finalized. After his tragic death in May 2021 as a result of an accident, there were no other potential successors from within the family as the other members of the fourth generation were already pursuing other career paths,” said Thomas Schurter. “Following intensive discussion and careful consideration, the owner family decided to sell a majority interest in order to ensure the company’s continued success.” Capvis specializes in holding majority interests in leading SMEs in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. “Swiss quality and innovation are our guiding principles,” said Boris Zoller, managing partner of Capvis. “SCHURTER has been demonstrating this for years with its successes and is thus ideally positioned to continue performing successfully on growth markets around the world.”