2025 Connector Industry Acquisitions

The connector industry continues to contract, even as the demand for interconnect products increases. See what acquisitions helped change the connector industry in 2025.

Demand for interconnects continues to grow, fueling a continuing wave of mergers and acquisitions that leaves fewer (and now, larger) companies left in the market. In 2025, more suppliers expanded services, capabilities, products, and supply chains with strategic acquisitions and partnerships that bring connectors, cables, sensors, and antenna products into their business, along with new expertise in rapidly changing markets and specialties. Here are the deals that helped change the connector industry in 2025.

January

Aptiv to Spin-off EDS in First Quarter of 2026

Aptiv intends to spin off its Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) business during the first quarter of 2026. The EDS business, to be referred to as Cyprium Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of APTIV, is preparing to use its “differentiated design and development capabilities [to] enable the optimization of vehicle architecture systems and thereby reduce vehicle weight, mass, and costs for OEM customers.” Aptiv’s Advanced Safety & User Experience and Engineered Components Group will offer a full sensor-to-cloud technology stack, including industry-leading open-architected ADAS and in-cabin user experience software platforms, and a broad range of interconnects and components that optimize the distribution of signal, power, and data for applications across diverse end markets, including aerospace and defense, telecommunications, automotive and commercial vehicle, and industrial. The EDS business (Cyprium Holdings Limited), will “design and optimize the complete vehicle electrical architecture including wiring harnesses, electrical centers, and high-voltage systems for electric vehicles.”

February

TE Connectivity Acquires Richards Manufacturing Co.

TE Connectivity entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Richards Manufacturing Co. from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and members of the Bier family, long-standing owners and leaders of the business. The transaction will strengthen TE’s position in serving electrical utilities in North America by combining complementary product portfolios and adding the expertise of the Richards team, enabling TE to benefit from strong growth trends in underground electrical networks. Richards is widely recognized as a best-in-class provider of utility grid products.

Amphenol Corporation Completes Acquisition of OWN and DAS Businesses from CommScope

Amphenol Corporation completed the acquisition of CommScope’s Outdoor Wireless Networks (OWN) and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) businesses. “The acquisition of the OWN and DAS businesses brings to Amphenol a strong portfolio of innovative and advanced technologies for communications networks,” said Amphenol President and Chief Executive Officer, R. Adam Norwitt. “We are excited to welcome nearly 4,000 talented employees to the Amphenol family and look forward to further supporting our customers who are developing next-generation wireless networks around the world.”

Lear Acquires StoneShield Engineering
 Lear Corporation announced it has purchased StoneShield Engineering, a privately held system integrator based in Castelo Branco, Portugal. StoneShield Engineering specializes in the design and development of automation technology for the wire harness industry. Key areas of expertise include robotics, automated taping applications, and high voltage harness assembly.

May

Trexon Acquires Greco Developments Ltd.

Trexon, a leading provider of specialty connectivity solutions for mission-critical applications, completed the acquisition of Greco Developments Ltd. Headquartered in Aberdeen Scotland, Greco Developments specializes in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of subsea connectivity solutions in the marine, commercial diving, remotely operated vehicle (ROV), renewables, and oil and gas markets.

KYOCERA Forms Alliance with Japan Aviation Electronics Industry

KYOCERA Corporation announced plans to acquire 33.0% of the shares of Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, held by NEC Corporation, scheduled to conclude on October 31, 2025. In conjunction with this share acquisition, KYOCERA has also entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with JAE. KYOCERA’s business strategy is to expand market share and enhance profitability by generating synergies between the global sales network and customer base of its U.S. subsidiary, KYOCERA AVX Components Corporation. KYOCERA’s connector business has strengths in flexible printed circuit (FPC) connectors, board-to-board connectors, and custom connectors for the European automotive market, but it faces challenges in terms of business scale, production technology, and product standardization expertise needed to meet diverse customer requirements for “compact, high-voltage, anti-vibration, and waterproof” solutions in high-growth markets such as automotive, data centers, and industrial robotics. JAE aims to achieve growth by focusing on four key markets — automotive, mobile devices, industrial equipment/infrastructure and aerospace — and by strengthening its technological development and manufacturing capabilities. The alliance with KYOCERA will enable it to accelerate the growth of its connector business by leveraging KYOCERA’s overseas sales network, production sites, and design resources.

July

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd. Acquired S.E.R. Corporation

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd. acquired all shares of S.E.R. Corporation. This acquisition is expected to leverage Hirose’s manufacturing expertise and sales channels to support advanced product development and business expansion

HEICO’s Electronic Technologies Group Acquires Gables Engineering

HEICO Corporation’s Electronic Technologies Group acquired Gables Engineering Inc. Gables Engineering is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced avionics controls, including navigation, audio, surveillance, and communication panels for a wide range of aircraft. Its integrated operations support both OEM production and aftermarket services. Gables Engineering is a trusted supplier to global aircraft OEMs, Tier 1 avionics providers and major airlines.

ST Announces Intent to Acquire NXP’s MEM Sensor Business

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, is strengthening its global sensors capabilities with its acquisition of NXP Semiconductors’ MEMS sensors business, focused on automotive safety products as well as sensors for industrial applications. The transaction is expected to close in H1 2026.

August

Amphenol Announces Intent to Acquire CommScope’s Cable and Connectivity Business
Amphenol Corporation acquired CommScope’s Connectivity and Cable Solutions (CCS) business. The CCS business includes three distinct units: Data Center Connectivity Solutions, Broadband Communications, and Building Connectivity Solutions. The transaction expands Amphenol’s interconnect product capabilities in the IT datacom market, particularly adding fiber-optic interconnect products for artificial intelligence and other data center applications, and further diversifies Amphenol’s broad portfolio of fiber-optic and other interconnect product solutions in the communications networks and industrial markets. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Talley Acquires Rexel USA

Talley LLC, a subsidiary of Rexel USA and a leading provider of wireless communications infrastructure and mobile products, has announced the acquisition of Connectronics, a respected distributor with more than 40 years of experience in wireless networking and connectivity solutions. This strategic acquisition reinforces Talley’s leadership in the wireless industry and significantly expands its technical capabilities to support system integrators and carriers with the implementation of advanced wireless networks. The agreement was initially announced in May 2024.

Infineon Acquires Marvell’s Automotive Ethernet Business
 Infineon Technologies completed the acquisition of Marvell Technology Inc.’s Automotive Ethernet business. The agreement was announced in April 2025. With the acquisition, Infineon strengthens its system expertise for software-defined vehicles and further expands its leading position in the field of microcontrollers for automotive applications. Marvell’s Brightlane Automotive Ethernet portfolio, comprising PHY transceivers, switches, and bridges, delivers high-performance networking capabilities, supporting data rates from 100 Mb/s to 10 Gb/s, and provides the necessary security and safety features for both current and future in-vehicle networks.

October

Molex Announces Agreement to Acquire Smiths Interconnect
Molex announced an agreement to acquire Smiths Interconnect, a subsidiary of United Kingdom-based Smiths Group plc, and leading provider of high-reliability connectivity products and solutions serving the aerospace and defense, medical, semiconductor test and industrial markets. This deal enhances Molex’s position in aerospace and defense with customers and partners to benefit from combined engineering expertise, expanded technology portfolio and enhanced global footprint. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2026.

Element Solutions Announces Intent to Acquire Micromax

Element Solutions Inc, the parent company of MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, acquired Micromax, a leading global supplier of advanced electronics inks and pastes, from Celanese Corporation. This acquisition is aligned with MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solution’s long-term strategy of advancing innovation in products and services in advanced electronics materials and process technologies. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

December

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd. Acquires Tooltronix
Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd. (JAE) signed a definitive business transfer agreement with Alberta Ltd. to acquire the global Oil & Gas, Energy, and Industrial sensor and electronics business operated under the Tooltronix brand. JAE has long supplied high-precision accelerometers, directional modules, and related sensors to the oil, gas, and geothermal sectors, leveraging sensor technologies originally developed for the aerospace industry.

TransDigm Announces Intent to Acquire Stellant Systems

TransDigm Group, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a leading global designer, producer and supplier of highly engineered aircraft components for use on nearly all commercial and military aircraft. Stellant is a leading global designer and manufacturer of high-power electronic components and subsystems serving the aerospace and defense end market. “Mike Lisman, TransDigm’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are excited to have an agreement to acquire Stellant. The Company’s highly engineered, proprietary products generate significant aftermarket revenue and fit well with our long-standing business strategy. The Company has established positions across a diverse range of both commercial and defense platforms, adding new products and services to TransDigm’s portfolio.”

Marvell Announces Intent to buy Celestial
Marvell acquired photonics startup Celestial for $3.25 billion to enter into the photonics business. This acquisition positions Marvell to capture a brand-new semiconductor TAM for optical interconnects. “The acquisition of Celestial AI is a transformative step in Marvell’s evolution and expands our leadership in AI connectivity, as scale-up becomes the next frontier in AI infrastructure,” said Marvell CEO Matt Murphy. “This builds on our technology leadership, broadens our addressable market in scale-up connectivity, and accelerates our roadmap to deliver the industry’s most complete connectivity platform for AI and cloud customers.”

To learn more about the companies mentioned in this article, visit the Preferred Supplier pages for Amphenol, Hirose, JAE, KYOCERA AVX, Molex, Smiths Interconnect, TE Connectivity, Trexon, Molex, and TE Connectivity.

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

Like this article? Check out our other Product Roundup, Product News, and Connector Industry News features and our 2025 and 2026 Article Archives Article Archives.

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