The new survey analyzed some of the most important applications of connectors, the technologies chosen, and the criteria engineers and buyers use to select products and suppliers. It also examined the importance of online tools in the design and selection process and investigated where specifiers obtain the information to make effective design and purchasing decisions.
Key findings from the survey include the importance of product reliability (over 60% of respondents expected reliability of between five and more than ten years) and how the availability of complementary products and rapid sampling influence supplier selection. The survey results also highlight the importance of online tools and how artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to be used for selection, design, qualification, and testing.
“Harwin is a well-established player in the U.S. connector market, a market expected to exceed $14 billion by 2034,” said Peter Schneid, vice president of marketing at Harwin. “We are committed to understanding and anticipating the needs of customers in the region, and this new survey provides us with additional insights that validate our approach and help us continue to evolve our product and service offerings.”.
"The demand for long-lasting, high-performance technologies highlighted in the survey, for example, perfectly aligns with our specialization in reliable, high-quality technologies for demanding applications, while our innovative digital tools are already responding to the proven demand for online offerings that streamline comparison, design, and prototyping.".
Harwin's survey was completed in April 2025 and included a broad, representative sample of U.S.-based connector buyers and engineers. Respondents' responsibilities ranged from procurement and design to executive management, and they covered key sectors such as industrial, automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications.
