Harwin has announced the availability of its latest research into the European and North American connector markets. Unveiled at this year’s EDS Leadership Summit in Las Vegas, the company’s two new reports – ‘Connecting with Europe’ and ‘Connecting with North America’ – provide insights into evolving connector technologies and trends and design, specification and buying criteria.
Based on responses from a broad cross-section of professionals involved in interconnect specification, design and procurement in Europe and the USA, the surveys examined the most important applications for connectors, the technologies being chosen, and the criteria for making those choices in terms of both products and suppliers.
The research also looked at the importance of online tools and advanced technologies, and the information sources that specifiers and buyers use to make effective connector choices.
“Our latest research follows the success of Harwin’s 2025 survey into the North American connector industry and provides insight, for the first time, into the European market,” says Peter Schneid, Harwin’s Vice President of Marketing. “What is clear is that connectors – and, not least, highly reliable connectors – remain absolutely fundamental to the successful design and manufacture of electronic products across industrial systems, telecoms & data, and automotive / EV.”
Key takeaways from the research include the need for connectors to deliver reliable performance across extended time periods of ten years or more, the importance of rapid sampling and complementary technologies, and the demand for online tools as part of the selection and design-in process. The results also highlighted the growing use of AI for design and optimisation, and 3D printing for rapid prototyping and accelerated design and verification.
Harwin’s survey was conducted during April 2026 with respondents including engineers, buyers, and executive management in sectors ranging from aerospace and telecoms to industrial and automotive.
The EDS Leadership Summit takes place from 18-22nd May2026 at Resorts World, Las Vegas.
