Against the background of accelerating domestication in global manufacturing, the connector industry is also facing development opportunities for domestic materialization. However, in ensuring performance quality and maintaining cost efficiency, producers still face multiple challenges. This article takes KEL, a Japanese high-quality connector manufacturer, as an example, and analyzes it from the perspectives of technical characteristics, domestication trends, and practical difficulties.
Part 1: Technical Features and Quality Support of KEL Connectors●Established in 1962, KEL is a professional brand focusing on connector research and manufacturing, widely used in high-end fields such as industry, automotive, medical, and imaging.
●Rich product line including high-density board-to-board connectors (such as floating structure, 1.27 mm and 0.635 mm spacing), micro-coaxial cable board-to-wire connectors (such as ASLS, TMC, SSL series), etc.
●High-standard manufacturing and quality control, with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 certifications, and adopting a clean room automated production line from the Yamanashi factory in Japan to ensure quality consistency.
●High-speed transmission capabilities facing the future, such as PCIe 5.0 floating connectors (JB series) and 224 Gbps PAM4 high-speed connectors (HSP series), demonstrate strong innovative power.
The background of the trend towards localizationSupply chain security and cost optimization
Under the frequent fluctuations in global trade, domestic materials and components can reduce import risks and transportation costs, and enhance production stability.
Policy support and localization upgrade
The country is increasing its support for the research and development, as well as production of key electronic equipment and materials, encouraging the emergence of domestic substitution solutions.
Speed of market response increased
Domestic suppliers have closer supply response times and flexible customization capabilities, adapting to the fast iteration of small batch high-end market demand.
Challenge and ConstraintsInsufficient accumulation of high-end materials and technology
KEL focuses on floating structure design, micro-coaxial structure, and high-speed signal transmission design. Domestic manufacturers need to invest a large amount of R&D resources to catch up quickly.
Lack of performance testing and data reserves.
KEL can provide resources such as transmission simulation and customized harness support, while the domestication solution is prone to extended verification cycle and quality fluctuations if it lacks detailed data support.
High threshold for automation and clean manufacturing
From the perspective of KEL's high-quality assurance system, clean rooms and automated production lines are the key to ensuring consistency, and the investment and management costs for related domestic equipment are relatively high.
4. Standard Certification and Market Recognition Challenges
KEL has a comprehensive international quality certification (such as IATF 16949), while domestic products need time and a strict regulatory system to gain the same recognition.
Four, suggestions and prospectsJoint R&D: Collaborate with material, equipment suppliers, and testing institutions to create a testing platform and validation system for domestic production.
●Step-by-step replacement: Begin with the replacement of materials from non-critical structural components, gradually expanding to key parts such as high-reliability templates, shells, and metal contact parts.
Focus on application scenarios: Give priority to the industrial, home appliance, and consumer electronics sectors that are cost-sensitive but technically controllable, and then gradually penetrate into automotive electronics, medical, and industrial automation.
●Continuous certification construction: Accelerate the introduction of ISO and industry standards certification, enhance market trust and brand competitiveness.
The localization of domestic connector materials is a trend, which is helpful to enhance supply security, cost control, and response efficiency. However, facing challenges such as high-end structural design, performance verification, and manufacturing guarantees, systematic planning and continuous investment are still needed. Taking KEL as a reference, by means of joint research and development, step-by-step replacement, and the construction of a standard system, it is possible to accelerate the domestic industry's transition towards high-quality domestic substitution.
If you are interested in the domestic substitute products for this brand connector or have procurement needs, or if you have production or sales channels for the domestic substitute products of this brand connector and wish to engage in in-depth cooperation or communication, please contact us in the following way - Contact person:
Manager Zhang (18665383950, same WeChat number)We look forward to working together with more industry partners.
