LISLE, IL—Molex Inc. has acquired AirBorn Inc., a leading supplier of connectors and electronic components used in aerospace and defense applications. The company’s portfolio of rugged, mission-critical products will form the foundation of Molex’s new Aerospace and Defense Division. The combined organization will total more than 50,000 employees and 85 plants located in 20 countries.

“[We are] excited to complete this important acquisition, which enables us to expand into the aerospace and defense market while extending our capabilities across space exploration and other key sectors,” says Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex. “As we begin to integrate AirBorn’s people, products and processes within Molex, we will focus on supporting the needs of our customers, distributors and partners through collaboration and strategic investment in innovation and technology, shaping the future of the aerospace and defense category.”

“The combination of Molex’s organizational scale and financial stability with [our] purpose-built products and unmatched customer experiences will enable us to solve the most complex rugged connectivity challenges,” adds Michael Cole, CEO of AirBorn. “Together, we can reinforce our role as trusted advisors serving the unique requirements of aerospace and defense customers and accelerate investments in the business that will drive growth and competitive advantage.”

AirBorn operates a state-of-the-art factory in Georgetown, TX, that recently underwent a continuous improvement initiative that boosted on-time delivery by 45 percent and improved productivity by 25 percent. The facility produce AirBorn’s popular line of Nano-D connectors.

“By focusing on the flow of work and the relevant measures related to an efficient flow, the production line can better-ensure a smooth and uninterrupted movement through the system, minimizing delays and bottlenecks, and improving customer satisfaction through reduced lead times and improved on-time delivery,” explains Gus Dill, director of manufacturing engineering at AirBorn.