January 2026 Connector Industry News

Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry.

January 2026 Connector Industry News

January 2026 Connector Industry News > Award News

Hirose’s ZE150HV Series has been selected as a CES Innovation Awards Honoree within Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility, presented by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). The  international CES Innovation Awards 2026 recognize noteworthy products in 36 product fields based on product quality, design aesthetic, value provided to users, and innovation over competing products. The ZE150HV Series is a compact, wire-to-board connector designed for high-voltage applications in electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains. With a 4.5 mm pitch, it supports 1000V AC/DC, 10A current, and temperatures up to 125 °C. Engineered to meet IEC 60664 standards (Pollution Degree 2, altitude 6,000 m), the ZE150HV combines reliable electrical performance with mechanical stability. It introduces three key innovations that address critical challenges in high-voltage EV/HEV systems, enabling safer, more reliable power connections in extreme environments: integrated performance under harsh conditions; double spring, 3-point contact system for vibration resistance; and CPA mechanism for high-voltage safety. Made from heat-resistant, RoHS2-compliant materials, the connector delivers long-term reliability in harsh conditions, extending service life and reducing waste from damage or rework to support environmentally conscious design.

January 2026 Connector Industry News > Personnel & Acquisitions News

Delft Circuits appointed Martin Danoesastro as chief executive officer. The appointment comes during a period of strong momentum for Delft Circuits, marked by new partnerships, expanded production capacity, and advancements in product R&D. Recent milestones include the publication of a next-generation product roadmap and a partnership with Bluefors to offer cutting-edge quantum I/O solutions integrating Delft Circuits’ Cri/oFlex technology into Bluefors’ dilution refrigerators. Danoesastro joins Delft Circuits after more than 25 years at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He holds an MSc in Applied Physics from TU Delft, where he conducted research on quantum dots in cryogenic environments.

R&M appointed Laurent Amestoy, long-standing managing director of the Asia Pacific region, as chief sales officer. He  has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications sector. He joined the R&M Group in 2000, initially heading the R&M sales subsidiary in the Middle East (META), based in Dubai. In 2008, he became executive vice president, responsible for R&M sales in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, based in Singapore. Roger Baumann, who joined R&M in April 2025,  has consistently developed the company’s market and growth strategy and brought Amestoy on board on an interim basis at the end of June. The strategy of regional customer proximity, based on subsidiaries and branches in more than 40 countries, will remain in place and is to be intensified to ensures the presence of experts on site.

January 2026 Connector Industry News > Facility News

Left to right: Steve Totty, managing director, Star Micronics GB;  Jon Churchill, chief operations officer, Harwin; Ali McNiff, executive operations manager, Harwin;  Sam Chapman, production manager, Harwin;  Wayne Evans, CNC sliding head technical expert, Harwin; Matt Lee, area sales manager, South West, Star Micronics

Harwin acquired seven new CNC sliding headstock lathes supplied by Star Micronics GB Ltd. The addition of these machines adds significant capacity to Harwin’s high-reliability connector manufacturing capabilities. Their purchase follows heightened demand for Harwin’s connector ranges, notably Gecko, and an increase in R&D investment by the company. This increased capacity comes into effect January 2026, when the first two Star SL-7 sliding head lathes are delivered to Harwin’s Portsmouth manufacturing plant. Capacity will further ramp up during the first half of the year, with additional new lathes being added in February, March, and April. The investment also strengthens Harwin’s long-standing partnership with Star GB, increasing the company’s total number of Star lathes to 56. The facility currently operates SD-26 Type E and SR-20RIV Type B machines, which provide versatile, high-precision machining across mid-range diameters. These are supported by SL-7 and SR-10J models specializing in very small, accurate component production. This capability is complemented by several SW-12RII models, delivering high-speed twin-platen machining for complex, multi-feature components. Together, these platforms give Harwin a well-balanced mix of capacities, enabling efficient production of miniature connector elements and more demanding geometries while maintaining the precision and repeatability required for its high-reliability product range.

Leoni, expanding its production footprint in Egypt, inaugurated its Badr 4 production facility east of Cairo and broke ground on the Badr 5 plant nearby. The two plants, located in the Badr Free Zone, will have a total production surface of approximately 35,000 square meters. When running at full capacity by 2027, Leoni will have doubled its output capacity in the country. Leoni’s development aligns with Egypt’s national program to localize and develop its automotive industry, aiming to build a strong, competitive, and fully integrated manufacturing ecosystem, to increase exports, and create skilled jobs. The Badr 5 plant will develop advanced automation solutions and machine-human interaction compared to the traditional wiring systems manufacturing.

January 2026 Connector Industry News > New Technical Resources

Mouser Electronics announced its comprehensive power management resource center.  With the proliferation of compact, high-performance, and battery-operated devices, power management design is critical to achieving optimal performance. Mouser’s technical team and trusted manufacturing partners tailor the resource center content to provide a trusted source of articles, blogs, eBooks, and new products from top manufacturers for power management. The hub also offers infographics on battery energy storage systems (BESS), helping professionals understand the system complexities and how to select the best-suited components. For engineers looking to stay ahead of the accelerating pace of advanced power management, the resource center serves as a valuable resource.

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