March 2025 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.

March 2025 Connector Industry News

March 2025 Connector Industry News > Personnel & Acquisitions News

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 and, over the last several years, has experienced double-digit revenue growth. The company, headquartered in Irvington, N.J., is a leader in underground distribution equipment, with differentiated positions in both medium voltage cold-shrink cable accessories and network protector products. The Richards management team is committed to TE and will continue to lead the business post-closing.

March 2025 Connector Industry News > Facility News

(L to R) Operations Director Jon Churchill, Building Project Lead Paul McGuiness, Chairman Damon de Laszlo, Co-Chairman William de Laszlo, Chief Revenue Officer Andrew McQuilken, Finance Director Howard Mighell

Harwin began construction on a new £30 million electronics manufacturing facility in Portsmouth. Set for completion in 2026, the 7,459 m² facility adds to existing manufacturing capacity to meet growing global demand for its high-reliability and industrial connectors. The state-of-the-art facility incorporates multiple design initiatives that minimize the environmental impact of Harwin’s operations. This includes the use of rooftop solar, with 388 high-efficiency solar panels generating a forecast 244,000 kWh annually. This reduces the sites CO₂ emissions by approximately 32 tons per year, the equivalent of planting 1,471 trees. The facility uses a novel multi-level design that spans four floors, minimizing land usage and the building’s impact on the local environment. The building also meets stringent BREEAM sustainability standards, the world’s leading science-based suite of validation and certification systems for sustainable buildings and part of Harwin’s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing. Conscious steps have been made to reduce the impact of travelling to work with more than a third of all parking spaces dedicated to bikes and electric vehicle charging points will also be available. The world-leading manufacturing site will bolster Harwin’s ability to serve key markets, including aerospace, defense, industrial automation, and advanced electronics. Contractor Knights Brown has committed to a substantial social value plan with the aim of bringing people and communities together to support economic growth. Initiatives will include working with local secondary schools, recruiting apprentices, volunteering at key community projects and attending local STEM events.

March 2025 Connector Industry News > Partnership and Distribution News

During 2024, DigiKey added 455 new suppliers and more than 1.1 million innovative products across its core business, Marketplace and Fulfilled by DigiKey programs. Mike Slater, vice president, global business development, called 2024 the company’s “year of investment.” The most recent new supplier additions include companies like Amphenol Airmar, which designs and manufactures high-performance sensors for marine and industrial applications; HALO Electronics, a leading supplier of high-quality communication and power magnetics; Menlo Micro, whose RF switch portfolio merges the benefits of electromechanical and solid state switches that result in reduced size, weight, power and cost; and Jameco, which sells educational and hobby kits to educate and inspire students and those interested in electronics. Recent new product introductions in 2024 included Würth Elektronik’s WE-MXGI series of high-performance inductors, which are designed with an iron alloy material, resulting in high efficiency and low AC losses. Looking ahead in 2025, as DigiKey continues to add more products and suppliers to its offerings, areas such as automotive, AI, energy, industrial automation, and IoT will be key growth drivers.

TTI Inc. is now an authorized distributor of the full line of Samtec Inc. products. With this new partnership, TTI will provide a global channel for Samtec’s cables and connectors used in electronic applications and provide Samtec PCB interconnects to electronics manufacturers worldwide, simplifying customers’ BOM purchases.

Waldom Electronics has partnered with Molex to introduce the Waldom x Molex Mini Reel Program. This new initiative provides Molex distributors with access to over 450 high-demand Molex parts, spanning board-to-board, wire-to-board, and FFC-FPC connectors that are available immediately from stock in right-sized reel options. This approach eliminates long lead times, reduces costs, and minimizes excess inventory. Traditionally, high minimum order quantities (MOQs) and long lead times (averaging 18 weeks) have posed challenges for distributors, often resulting in excess stock, increased financial strain, and supply chain inefficiencies. With the Waldom x Molex Mini Reel Program, distributors can now purchase parts in small-size reel options, ensuring they get exactly what they need without the wait. For more details, watch this informational video to see how this program can benefit your business.

DigiKey and Qorvo, a leading global provider of connectivity and power solutions, announced a worldwide distribution agreement. The collaboration extends Qorvo’s product reach across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions, ensuring rapid delivery and additional support for customers in markets such as IoT, defense, aerospace, automotive, power, and wireless infrastructure. By leveraging DigiKey’s robust logistics and distribution capabilities, Qorvo will satisfy growing demand and accelerate its customers’ time-to-market. DigiKey’s expansive product offering, which includes over 15.9 million products, enables Qorvo’s customers to easily order entire bills of materials in one place and receive orders quickly and efficiently, enhancing project timelines.

March 2025 Connector Industry News > New Technical Resources

Mouser Electronics announced a new eBook in collaboration with NXP Semiconductors exploring how the electrification of industrial and automotive systems relies heavily on advances and innovation in motor control technology. Efficient motor control systems are critical to enable optimal EV (electric vehicle) performance. NXP’s new eBook, 11 Experts Discuss Advanced Motor Control for Modern Electric Vehicles, shows how design engineers can reduce power losses and improve system efficiency to make EVs more reliable, increase drive range, and enhance safety. Engineers from across the automotive industry, including NXP, discuss the role of motor control systems in modern EVs, the impact of motor control on various vehicle aspects, and how NXP Semiconductors helps its customers design advanced motor control systems that ensure efficiency and safety. Many of NXPs solutions are highlighted in the eBook. Learn more about NXP, read the new eBook, browse Mouser’s eBook library, or get Mouser news and latest new product introductions.

DigiKey announced a collaboration with Ultra Librarian. The collaboration gives engineers a fully integrated and contextual component discovery and procurement path directly inside the computer-aided design (CAD) environment. The collaboration integrates DigiKey’s myLists with UItra Librarian’s UltraBOM bill of materials management tool, which gives designers access to quotes, prices, product availability, and lead times during the design process. With this integration, users of OrCAD Capture printed circuit board (PCB) software can access DigiKey’s parts and send a bill of materials (BOM) to DigiKey with the push of a button. myLists is DigiKey’s parts list management tool that consolidates bills of materials, price and availability lists, and quotes. It allows users to easily share their BOMs with external team members or publicly. With customizable permissions, list owners can grant edit access or “view only” rights, ensuring everyone gets the information they need, without risking list integrity.

March 2025 Connector Industry News > Association, Standards, & Certifications News

ECIA announced the leadership team for the 2025 Executive Conference, scheduled to take place October 19-21, 2025, at a new location, the Westin O’Hare Hotel. “As we establish the direction for the 2025 ECIA Executive Leadership Conference, I’m energized by a future filled with possibilities,” commented Maryellen Stack, director of marketing communications, Sager Electronics. “With a growing team of visionary leaders joining our core planning committee and its subcommittees and a dynamic new venue, we stand ready to build not only on the successes of past conferences, but the achievements of the association itself. My co-chair, Zach Devillers, and I are committed to not just shaping an event but propelling our industry forward as we enter the next era of innovation in electronics. Tomorrow starts now.” The 2025 Executive Conference registration is now open. For more information about the planning process, including sponsorships, contact Stephanie Tierney, director of member engagement, ECIA.

Like this article? Check out our other Product Roundup, Product News, and Connector Industry News features and our 2024 and 2025 Article Archives Article Archives.

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