2024 Connector Industry Acquisitions

If you can’t beat them, join them. Companies acquired new capabilities through strategic moves in 2024. Plus, the big acquisition everyone was talking about at the end of the year.

The connector industry keeps making connections — with other companies. In 2024, we saw a continuation of acquisition activity as suppliers expanded services, capabilities, products, and supply chains with strategic acquisitions.

In its recent market research report, History of Mergers and Acquisitions in the Connector Industry – Shrinking Footprints: Connector Industry Consolidation 1950s-2024, Bishop & Associates identifies more than 850 mergers and acquisitions since 1985. The industry’s footprint and identity has been significantly shaped by these strategic moves. 2024 was a relatively quiet year, although the year’s acquisitions roundup includes many significant moves, including a blockbuster move at the end of the year.

January 2024

Amphenol Corporation Acquired Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT)
CIT is a leading global supplier of harsh environment interconnect solutions primarily to the commercial air, defense, and industrial end markets. The company’s wide range of products, including wire and cable, cable assemblies, contacts, connectors, and sensors, are highly complementary to Amphenol’s interconnect and sensor solutions.

Amphenol President and Chief Executive Officer R. Adam Norwitt said, “CIT’s highly engineered harsh environment interconnect solutions will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive technology solution for the increasingly complex applications of our customers in harsh environment markets. We look forward to benefiting from this enhanced position with these important customers in the commercial air, defense, and industrial markets long into the future.”

February 2024

Mikron Acquired the Italian Rotary Transfer CNC Manufacturer DM2
The Mikron Group acquired DM2, an Italian manufacturer of rotary transfer CNC machines. With this acquisition Mikron aims to strengthen its position and gain market share in specific applications not yet covered by the Mikron portfolio.

“This acquisition supports Mikron Machining’s long-term strategy of offering more options in the rotary transfer machine sector. DM2’s product portfolio complements Mikron’s, and the skills and experience of DM2’s colleagues align with and enrich ours. Both companies specialize themselves in very demanding applications where precision and productivity are crucial for a sustainable return on investment,” says Matteo Castiglioni, head of the Mikron machining division, Agno (Ticino).

March 2024

Nicomatic Group Acquired Gauthier Connectique
Nicomatic Group acquired Gauthier Connectique, a specialist in precision connectors for the aerospace industry. This acquisition strengthens the positions of both companies in the aerospace market. Nicomatic Group, with a turnover of 100 million euros, 700 employees, 22 subsidiaries, and 7 factories worldwide, reaffirms its ambition for excellence and innovation. Gauthier Connectique, with its 6 million euros in turnover and 50 employees based in Avranches, brings its expertise and local reputation, with 85% of its activity concentrated in France. The two entities share common values of agility, resilience, and innovation, with a strong commitment to a differentiated customer experience.

April 2024

July 2024

Amphenol Corporation to Acquire CommScope’s Mobile Networks Businesses
Amphenol Corporation announced intentions to acquire CommScope’s mobile networks businesses, including CommScope’s Outdoor Wireless Networks (OWN) segment and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) business, which resides in CommScope’s Networking, Intelligent Cellular and Security Solutions (NICS) segment. The acquisition will be finalized in 2025.

Amphenol President and Chief Executive Officer R. Adam Norwitt said, “CommScope provides mobile networks solutions, with advanced technologies in the areas of base station antennas and related interconnect solutions, as well as distributed antenna systems. In particular, we are encouraged that the businesses we are acquiring make up the former Andrew Corporation portfolio of products, a company with a rich history of innovation and technology leadership in the wireless industry.”

August 2024

Edac Group of Companies Acquired Northern Technologies
The Edac Group of Companies acquired the business of the Northern Group. Both Groups have extensive experience in the business of designing, manufacturing, and supplying interconnect products. The Northern Group includes Northern Technologies Corp. and Lanpar Technologies Inc. The Edac Group includes EDAC Inc., Edac (Europe) Ltd., MH Connectors, and NorComp Connectors. The sale of the business will assure an uninterrupted continuation of the Northern Group’s operations and the continuity of supply of products to customers of the Northern Group, now and into the future.

September 2024

LUXSHARE Subsidiary TIME Interconnect Singapore Acquired LEONI AG’s Automotive Cable Solutions (ACS) Division
LUXSHARE acquired a 50.1% stake in LEONI AG, which was previously fully owned by Pierer. “Having LUXSHARE as a strong strategic partner will significantly enhance LEONI’s competitiveness across all fronts – from portfolio expansion and market access to technological capabilities and production,” said Klaus Rinnerberger, CEO of LEONI AG.

LEONI’s strong connections with the European and American automotive industries, combined with LUXSHARE’s presence in China, enable both companies to maximize their market potential. LUXSHARE’s expertise in connectors and electronics will further enhance LEONI WSD’s ability to provide integrated solutions, benefiting its customers. In return, LUXSHARE will leverage LEONI’s extensive knowledge and leadership in the wiring systems business.

In a parallel transaction, TIME Interconnect Singapore – a joint venture between LUXSHARE subsidiaries LUXSHARE-ICT and TIME Interconnect Technology (TITL, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) acquired 100% of LEONI AG’s ACS division. Following the carve-out, ACS will continue to position itself as a leading independent manufacturer of automotive cables.

HEICO Corporation Acquired Capewell’s Aircraft Cockpit Emergency Egress and Aerial Delivery Solutions
HEICO Corporation’s Flight Support Group acquired the Aerial Delivery and Descent Devices divisions of Capewell Aerial Systems (“Capewell”), a leading provider of proprietary aircraft cockpit emergency egress and aerial delivery products for various commercial aerospace and defense uses. It is a critical supplier to a wide-ranging customer base that includes leading OEMs, end-users, and distributors. Capewell’s highly engineered product portfolio encompasses emergency descent devices (“EDDs”), personnel and cargo parachute products, heavy airdrop platforms, and other products.

December 2024

HEICO Corporation’s Exxelia Subsidiary Acquired 70% of SVM Private Limited
HEICO Corporation announced that its Paris, France-based Exxelia subsidiary acquired 70% of SVM Private Limited. Exxelia is part of HEICO’s Electronic Technologies Group. SVM’s management retains the remaining 30% ownership. Based in Chennai, India, SVM is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electronic passive components and sub-systems, including critical magnetic components and busbars, specifically serving the healthcare and industrial end-markets.

Molex Acquired AirBorn
Molex has acquired AirBorn Inc., an employee-owned company headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, specializing in the design and manufacturing of rugged connectors and electronic components for global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) serving the aerospace and defense, commercial air, space exploration, medical, and industrial markets. “The acquisition of AirBorn brings strong capabilities to Molex in the aerospace and defense market,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO, Molex. “Combining Molex’s engineering breadth and manufacturing scale with AirBorn’s expertise in ruggedized, mission-critical products will enable us to better serve the evolving needs of our customers in this fast-growing global market.”

See Connector Supplier’s roundup of 2023 industry acquisitions and visit Bishop & Associates to see the new research report, History of Mergers and Acquisitions in the Connector Industry – Shrinking Footprints: Connector Industry Consolidation 1950s-2024.

To learn more about the companies mentioned in this article, visit the Preferred Supplier pages for AirBorn, EDAC, Mikron Machining, Molex, and Nicomatic.

This content originally appeared in Connector Supplier, the electronics industry’s leading source of interconnect news, product information, and technical content. Subscribe to Connector Supplier’s free weekly newsletter.

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