Connector industry is changing landscape according to the article by Ron Bishop published by TTI Market Eye.
The connector industry has experienced significant shifts in recent years, driven primarily by strategic acquisitions and market consolidation. As we review the 2024 sales rankings of the top 100 connector manufacturers, it’s evident that several notable companies have exited the list—not due to business closures, but because they were absorbed by larger corporations.
Dominance of the Top 10 Connector Companies
A long-term trend in the connector market is the increasing market share held by the top 10 companies. According to the forthcoming Top 100 report:
- TE Connectivity has grown its market share from 13.2% in 2000 to 14.8% in 2024.
- Amphenol Corporation’s aggressive acquisition strategy propelled it from 6th place in 2000 to 2nd in 2024, with projections suggesting it may become the leading connector company by 2025.
Strategic Acquisitions Reshaping the Landscape
- Amphenol’s Acquisition of CommScope
- Finalized in January 2025, this acquisition marks the end of CommScope as a standalone entity. Previously ranked 26th globally with over $425 million in connector sales in 2023, CommScope’s integration significantly boosts Amphenol’s position, edging it closer to the number one spot.
- Molex’s Acquisition of AirBorn
- Completed in December 2024, this acquisition will be AirBorn’s last appearance on the Top 100 list as an independent company. Ranked 43rd in 2023 with sales exceeding $250 million, AirBorn enhances Molex’s standing, especially in military and aerospace markets under the leadership of Michael Cole.
- Amphenol’s Acquisition of Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT)
- Acquired in May 2024, CIT was ranked 24th in 2023 with sales surpassing $440 million. This move strengthens Amphenol’s dominance in the military/aerospace sector, backed by its acquisition of 10 companies in 2023 alone.
Historical Acquisitions and Their Impact
- Positronics (Acquired by Amphenol, 2021): Last listed as an independent entity in 2020 (ranked 79), Positronics added niche products to Amphenol’s portfolio.
- ERNI Group AG (Acquired by TE Connectivity, 2021): Ranked 46th in 2020 with sales of $175 million, ERNI’s acquisition expanded TE’s reach in industrial applications.
- Souriau (Acquired by Eaton, 2019): This acquisition elevated Eaton from 78th to within the top 50, boosting its 2019 sales to over $375 million.
- Winchester (Acquired by Aptiv, 2018): Formerly ranked 35th in 2018, Winchester’s acquisition opened new markets for Aptiv.
Conclusion
The connector industry’s landscape is marked by dynamic consolidation, with market leaders leveraging acquisitions to expand their global footprint. These strategic moves are not only reshaping competitive standings but also driving innovation and diversification across multiple sectors, including aerospace, defense, and industrial automation.
Bishop will publish the Top 100 Connector Manufacturers at the beginning of August. To order a copy of this report, please visit our store site at https://bishop-research.com/. In the fall we will do our annual series of Top 10 by region, market sector and product type. These will be posted online on the TTI MarketEYE page, available at https://connectorsupplier.com or in a Bishop News Brief delivered directly to your email if you are a Bishop Report subscriber. For information on how to subscribe to the Bishop Report, please visit here.
