Preparing for 2025: Connector Industry Predictions and What to Expect
As we approach 2025, the connector industry is entering a transformative period. From changing perspectives in the military industry to a rise in specialized connector solutions, here’s a look at our predictions for what’s to come in the new year for the connector market.
The Military Borrowing from the Commercial Industry
In recent years, the military has grappled with the hybridization and electrification of vehicles. Being that fuel costs are one of the biggest expenses in the supply chain, there has been a push for the military to find ways to make their vehicles lighter and more efficient.
At the same time, they’ve grappled with long development cycles. Historically, it’s taken up to 10 years to develop a new product for the military—particularly in the case of tactical wheeled vehicles—whereas in the commercial industry it takes half that time.
These variables have prompted managers to look at what the commercial area is using.
Enter commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) connectors. These drop-in equivalents to MIL-SPEC connectors are becoming increasingly more common based on their wide availability, simplified design, and reduced costs—alongside the added benefit of improved corrosion resistance.
This move mirrors strategies adopted by the commercial sector, including leveraging economies of scale for cost savings and reducing unnecessary environmental impact.
Customization and Specialization Taking Center Stage
It used to be the case that typical designs involved the quick wiring of a connector. Now, you’re seeing more applications with printed circuit (PC) contacts, to name an example.
Rather than hitting the market with general products, we’re seeing more segmentation on this front. Engineers are working to make more specialized and specific products—and as part of that, they're looking for custom connector solutions to support their designs.
You’re seeing this in places like the construction industry, for instance, where lighting products are becoming more customized to cater to the specific needs of customers. As these products grow more specific, general catalog items become less relevant to engineers. They want to work with a custom connector solution provider who can make the product better for the business.
How Amerline Can Help
The connector industry forecast for 2025 underscores a shared priority: efficiency, adaptability, and innovation. As a manufacturer of COTS connectors and custom connector solutions, Amerline empowers leading companies for the future. Whether you're optimizing for performance, costs, or specialization, we’re your partner in preparing for what's next.