For a perspective on the UKs connector industry, Electronics Sourcings Jon Barrett asked PEI-Genesis Dave Jones to explain how his company is evolving to meet purchasers changing demands. Dave said: To offer buyers a world-class service, PEI-Genesis holds an extensive stock of component parts, focuses its resources exclusively on the connector sector; employs people with connector experience and maintains a small number of core franchises. This drives-up our technical support and distribution capabilities irrespective of whether customers are designing new products or looking to replace legacy components.
Because we purchase component parts and assemble connectors ourselves to customers specifications we can offer a flexible, customer friendly service. This is underpinned by our intelligent website which helps users build connectors and then offers a part-numbering and purchasing facility. To ensure availability, stock levels are updated every night.
From an industry sector perspective, we focus on markets including general industrial, military, aerospace, off-road vehicles, lorries, buses and trains.
In terms of current business issues, customers are looking for security of supply, rapid response and a knowledgeable voice at the end of the phone. These are the issues that cement loyal, long-term supply chains.
Rugged connector range
As an example of PEI-Genesis product offering, the company has recently announced exclusive availability of a rugged ITT Cannon connector range. The Trident Multiway series of rack-and-panel connectors is widely used in railway trackside signalling equipment, as well as general industrial applications. The connectors are designed to offer a reliable, robust and versatile system.
A choice of six planforms (from 14 to 75-way) can accommodate crimp, solder or wire-wrap contacts. Accessories include various hoods and straight/90deg cable clamps.
Especially popular for cold-weather applications, Trident Multiway connectors can be equipped with large jackscrew knobs and feature an operating temperature range of 5 to 125C.
Minimum insulation resistance is 5,000Mohm at 500VDC. If required, the connectors can be polarised using contact position, pin-protection shrouds or additional guide pin and socket sets. With large stocks of piece-parts held at its Basingstoke-based assembling facility, PEI-Genesis offers a typical delivery time of under a week.
Industry experience
As this issue of Electronics Sourcing was going to press, PEI-Genesis also announced the appointment of Peter Sullivan as product and purchasing manager.
He joins the company after 14-years with connector manufacturer Amphenol, where he was initially employed as a product manager and subsequently took over as distribution manager with responsibility for managing the companys major distribution channels including Acal, Farnell, RS and PEI-Genesis.
His knowledge and experience of the connector industry dates back to 1983, when he started a nine-year spell with specialist connector distributor, Barlec Richfield.
Explaining his move to PEI-Genesis, Sullivan said: It is a dynamic, growing niche distributor with a product proposition thats unique in the marketplace: the speed of a catalogue distributor together with the technical backup and product knowledge of a manufacturer.
In his new role, he will primarily be involved in supplier relations management, liaising with key franchises such as ITT Cannon, Amphenol, Cinch and Glenair.