{"id":2016,"date":"2020-07-21T06:24:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T01:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/a2globalelectronics.com\/?p=2016"},"modified":"2020-10-03T01:50:19","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T20:50:19","slug":"connector-industry-leads-in-mitigating-covid-19-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/a2globalelectronics.com\/ja\/electronics-news-trends\/supply-chain-management-in-the-wake-of-a-pandemic\/connector-industry-leads-in-mitigating-covid-19-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"Connector Industry Leads in Mitigating Covid-19 Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reduce the global pandemic impact, the connector industry plays a vital role. Here are 4 contributions that stand out.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The connector industry tops the list of essential businesses on the frontlines of fighting Covid-19. While some parts of the world came to a standstill, the connector makers went to work \u2014 and their contributions are still felt across the supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From working strategically to mitigate connector shortages<\/a> to stabilizing the supply chain for critical medical technologies, the connector industry<\/a> plays a vital role in reducing the impact of the global pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany of our products are considered essential especially for healthcare,\u201d said Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex in a video statement<\/a>. \u201cThese include connectivity and related products we provide for critical medical applications including ventilators, respirators and nebulizers. We are also making face shields in parts for Covid-19 test kits. If we can\u2019t supply these products, it will certainly impact the quality of people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The electronics industry, from parts manufacturers to distributors to OEMs, has been deemed essential in many regions. That designation puts them in the driver\u2019s seat when it comes to ensuring the continued production of vitally needed products, as well as establishing systems and policies to safeguard essential workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how the connector industry has stepped up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Planning ahead to meet demand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To ensure that medical OEMs get the components they need, connector makers are aggressively implementing supply chain best practices that encompass the second and third supply chain tiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[We are] asking our essential suppliers for their continued support to us and our customers operating in the essential industries referenced in Q4 and to inform us of any operational disruption or delay to delivery timeframes in connection with Covid-19 as soon as possible,\u201d Smiths Interconnect said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cShould there be any adverse impact to delivery or service timelines, this will be communicated to customers directly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjusting production volumes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Connector makers have also turned the focus on adjusting their production volumes to prioritize medical equipment. Smiths Interconnect reported, for example, it is delivering its KNB Series, D Series, and Spring Probe Interposers to ventilator OEMs in Asia, the Americas and Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Securing supply<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

German manufacturers are part of these efforts as well and emphasized the critical need to plan ahead. Harting, which creates connector assemblies, said securing the supply of required components takes priority over all other activities. The company implemented a pandemic team to spearhead the effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connector Supplier commented on Harting<\/a>:  \u201cWeeks before the pandemic impacted its facilities, the company anticipated disruptions and accelerated production in order to have adequate stocks of products available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

W\u00fcrth Elektronik CBT has focused on PCBs for ventilator products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThanks to our three production sites in Germany, we can supply the manufacturers of the ventilators with PCBs in a wide range of technologies at short notice,\u201d said Thomas Beck, CBT managing director of sales and marketing, in a press release<\/a>. \u201cWe are in a position to accept orders at short notice, produce them smoothly and deliver them reliably.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Innovating to support customers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to creating robust supply chains, connector makers are looking for innovative ways to help customers who are moving ahead with new product designs. Amphenol launched a new Advanced Design Team to offer real-time, virtual collaboration with product managers, engineers, and customer service reps. The program will support customers as they work on new programs or custom solutions, the company said<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molex, meanwhile, stepped up to help the University Hospital Limerick<\/a> in Ireland design a respiratory filter adapter to beat demand for respirators. The collaboration was set in motion when the hospital reached out to the Rapid Innovation Unit, a research group at the University of Limerick, which in turn contacted Molex for design and sourcing expertise. The connector maker designed a mold to increase production input, and helped identify the medical grade materials that would meet performance, manufacturability, and clarity requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Donating to humanitarian efforts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some organizations are also working on a humanitarian level. Through its TE Connectivity Foundation, the connector and sensor supplier donated more than $1 million<\/a> in an emergency grant to organizations supporting the fight against Covid-19. The funds will be distributed through Global Impact, a charity intermediary. TE also doubled its charitable match to 200% when U.S. employees donate to specific medical facilities near major TE locations nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aptiv Foundation, the charitable arm of Aptiv, Inc., has similarly contributed to the cause with $500,000 donation to the GlobalGiving COVID-19 Relief Fund<\/a>, which is helping vulnerable communities around the world deal with the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAptiv is also doing its part in the communities in which it operates, by supplying local hospitals with masks and gloves and helping its customers produce critical equipment with engineered components for ambulances, ventilators, generators, and agricultural equipment,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Keeping workers safe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Employee health is another area of concern \u2014 and, again, the connector industry is leading the charge.  Whether allowing employees to work from home or encouraging self-quarantine in the event of symptoms, best practices rule. For those working onsite, connector manufactures have implemented stringent rules of conduct and hygiene for employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are examples of actions connector makers have taken:<\/p>\n\n\n\n