"Throw me that cable with the Molex three pin connectors," the audio engineer said on my first day as his helper. That was in 1970, and I was learning to set up a soundstage. The connectors might not have been made by Molex, but they certainly were called that. Molex has become an icon of connectivity, and they released, on July 1, a notice that they are celebrating their 75th birthday:
LISLE, IL āJuly 1, 2013Ā ā AsĀ Molex IncorporatedĀ (NASDAQ: MOLX and MOLXA),Ā begins its new fiscal year today, the company proudly celebrates itsĀ 75thĀ year in business serving customers in the global electronics industry. ProvidingĀ innovative interconnect solutions to the worldās leadingĀ manufacturers, theĀ companyās primary marketsĀ includeĀ data communications,Ā telecommunications, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive,Ā aerospace andĀ defense, medical and lighting. Molex sells more than 100,000 different productsĀ andĀ ranks among the top three connector companies inĀ the world based on annual revenue.
āMolex has built a legacy of innovation whileĀ growing from a small, local enterprise in Chicagoās western suburbs to one ofĀ the largest connectorĀ companies in the world,ā states Martin P. Slark, viceĀ chairman and CEO, Molex.Ā Ā āThis milestoneĀ gives us an opportunity to reflect on where weāveĀ been, as we look forward to aĀ promising and powerful future.ā
Established in 1938, Molex earnedĀ an industry reputation for developing unique interconnect solutions for challengingĀ design problems.Ā Ā ExamplesĀ include:Ā simple PCB connectors and stamped circuitry, as well as nylon plugs andĀ receptacles for color TVs.Ā Ā MolexĀ also introduced ever-smallerĀ connectors and modular interconnectsāthe microĀ products of their dayāand continues to be a leader in the miniaturization ofĀ electronic components.
Ā MolexĀ opened its first factoryĀ outside the U.S. in Japan in 1970.Ā Ā The company has since opened manufacturingĀ operations in many other overseasĀ locations, including Mexico, Ireland, HongĀ Kong, Singapore, India and China.Ā Ā InĀ 1972, Molex went public launching a period of rapid growth as theĀ companyĀ expanded into global markets to provide design, customer service andĀ manufacturing capabilities closer to its increasingly diverse customerĀ base.Ā Ā On its 60thĀ anniversary, Molex sales had reached over $1.6 billion in annual revenueāaĀ figure that has since more than doubled.
āInvesting in the development of innovativeĀ products has always been an important part of our strategy and that will notĀ change,ā adds Slark.Ā Ā āMolexĀ continuesĀ to invest in design innovation, organic growth and strategic acquisitions to bringĀ greater value to our shareholders and customers.ā
Ā From flowerpots in 1938 to high-speed HDMIĀ connectors today, product innovation remains a cornerstone of the brand.Ā Ā MolexĀ continues to investĀ fiveĀ percent or more of annual net revenue in R&D, which ranks itĀ among the highest levels of R&D investment in the electronics industry.Ā Ā In FY12,Ā MolexĀ releasedĀ more thanĀ 200 new products, received 319 patents and sold 60Ā billion connectors.
Ā āFor 75 years, Molex has been proud to work withĀ electronics industry leaders to develop new interconnection technologies that helpĀ change the wayĀ people live, work and play. With the increasing role electronicsĀ play in the lives of people all over the world, we know Molex will continue toĀ provide theĀ innovative solutions the industry requires,ā continues Slark.Ā Ā āAs we celebrate this milestone year,Ā we want to thank our global employees, customers,Ā partners and the manyĀ communities that have supported Molex around the world. Without them, none ofĀ our success would have been possible.ā
Please visitĀ www.molex.com.Ā To receive information on Molex products, pleaseĀ sign up for our e-nouncement newsletter atĀ www.molex.com/link/register/.Ā Ā To download the MolexĀ App, please visitĀ http://www.molex.com/app.
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Walt Boyes
Walt Boyes

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