We talk to ECIA’s chief analyst Dale Ford about how the electronics industry weathered a challenging year with success and how the lessons learned will impact the way it operates in the years ahead. Dale Ford, chief analyst at the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA), described 2020 as an “unforgettable year.” If that’s one ofRead More
An expanding definition of connectivity drove connector companies to incorporate new areas of expertise via mergers and acquisitions in 2020. In 2020, mergers and acquisitions activities slowed down after the brisk pace of the previous decade, but strategic moves continued, particularly as electronics companies continued to position themselves to support customers in an expanding connectivityRead More
Broadband subscriptions are experiencing exponential growth as global connectivity expands. More users mean more data — and more equipment to deliver it. The most profound change occurring in the technology world is the huge increase in the amount of data that flows through our data communications systems every day. Until recently, we measured this flowRead More
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed medical interconnect providers to create new strategies, capabilities, and products in 2020. In 2021, we predict that those lessons will transfer to new medical devices and care processes, and influence capabilities for other markets as well. Connector companies are adept at aligning their capabilities with the challenging requirements of device manufacturersRead More
Longtime industry observer Bob Hult shares his informed opinions, saying that it’s time for all levels of government and industry to recognize that China has become a pragmatic competitor fully capable of disruptive innovation. Doing so may help Western economies better prepare to confront the challenges ahead. The United States has enjoyed decades of recognition as the world’s economic, technology, and military leader. Innovators including ThomasRead More
The automotive market is the largest market for connectivity products. As connected, autonomous, and electric automotive technologies continue to advance, demand for connectors and other key connectivity products continue to accelerate. The world’s top 10 automotive connector manufacturers ranked by 2019 sales collectively recorded total worldwide sales of $29.1 billion in 2019. The automotive connectorRead More
The impacts of COVID-19 illustrate the risks involved in centering too much manufacturing, assembly, and intellectual property in one region. Yet the coming implementation of connected technologies, including automation, the Internet of Things, and 5G networks, depends on connectivity products that are currently made in China. Automation may be one way out. The global electronicsRead More
The connector industry is broad and diverse, with numerous suppliers and distributors vying for the attention of today’s electronics innovators, so identifying the best companies from which to source your components is not easy. This latest guide from Bishop & Associates should help. It’s no surprise that design engineers and purchasing personnel want to useRead More
The 2019 top 10 connector manufacturers collectively achieved $38.7 billion in annual sales in 2019, which accounted for 60.2% of global connector demand and is up from 2018’s market share of 59.5%. Every year, Bishop & Associates takes a comprehensive look at the connector industry in all of its complexity, evaluating the activities of 750Read More
The IoT, 5G, and advancing technologies across markets have led to smaller, higher performance RF coaxial connectors. There are times when economics and technical advances join to produce major changes in new applications, prompting the next generation of components to provide needed results. Even with the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the advances promptedRead More
TTI predicts that safety, automation, connectivity, and electrification will increase demand in electronic content across all modes of transportation. If the connector industry has a crystal ball, it’s probably housed somewhere in the offices of TTI. TTI monitors signals from its family of components distributors and semiconductor companies, analyzes industry sales and inventories, and sharesRead More
Automotive and engineering companies have reworked their production lines to produce ventilators and other critical medical supplies needed to fight the virus. The medical technology companies that originally designed these devices have led the way by sharing their designs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 coronavirus is an infectious disease that hasRead More
