The company provides innovative interconnection solutions to leading manufacturers in the global data communications, telecommunications, consumer electronics, industrial automation, automotive, aerospace, defense, healthcare, and lighting industries. Molex sells more than 100,000 different products and is among the top three connector companies in the world in terms of annual revenue.“Molex has built a legacy of innovation throughout its history, which began in a small shop in the western suburbs of Chicago, growing into one of the giants of the global connector market,” explains Martin P. Slark, Vice Chairman and CEO of Molex, adding, “This milestone gives us an opportunity to reflect on our past while looking forward to a promising future full of opportunities.”
Since 1938, Molex has earned industry prestige by developing interconnection solutions that solve challenging design problems, such as simple connectors for printed circuit boards, stamped circuits, and nylon male and female connectors for color televisions. Molex has also driven the development of increasingly smaller connectors and modular interconnects—once known as microproducts—and continues to lead the miniaturization of electronic components.
Molex opened its first factory outside the United States in 1970 in Japan. It subsequently opened facilities in Mexico, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, and China. In 1972, Molex went public, marking the beginning of a period of rapid growth as the company expanded its global reach, bringing its design, after-sales, and manufacturing services closer to its increasingly diverse clientele. By its 60th anniversary, Molex had annual revenues exceeding $1.6 billion, a figure that has grown by more than 200% to date.
“From day one, Molex has invested in design innovation, sustainable growth, and strategic acquisitions to deliver added value to its shareholders and customers,” says Martin P. Slark, adding, “Investing in the development of innovative products has always been and will continue to be a key element of our strategy.”
From pots in 1938 to today’s high-speed HDMI connectors, product innovation has been at the heart of the brand. Molex continues to invest 5% or more of its annual net income in R&D, placing it among the leading investors in research and development in the electronics industry. In 2012, Molex launched more than 200 new products, received 319 patents, and sold more than 60 billion connectors.
“On its 75th anniversary, Molex is proud to work alongside leading companies in the electronics industry to develop new interconnect technologies that help make life easier for people and enhance how they work and play. Given the increasingly important role electronics plays in people’s lives around the world, we know Molex will continue to deliver the innovative solutions the industry needs,” says Martin P. Slark, concluding, “As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we want to express our gratitude to our employees, customers, partners, and everyone who has supported Molex worldwide. Without them, our success would not have been possible.”
