Vision Forward: Hirose Electric's COO on the Future of Electronic Components

Mark Kojak Discusses Miniaturization, AI, and Next-Gen Electronics at Hirose

In the fast-paced world of electronic components, staying on top is about embracing change and driving innovation. At Hirose Electric, this mindset is driven by Mark Kojak, the President and COO known for his exceptional track record and future-focused vision. In our latest blog, Mark gives us a straightforward look into the exciting developments at Hirose Electric. We talk about the challenges and opportunities of making electronic components smaller, how AI is changing industrial applications, and the smart moves Hirose Electric is making to stay ahead in the industry.  

CONNECTION POINT (CP): A SIT-DOWN WITH MARK KOJAK

CP: "What current trends do you see in the electronic components industry, and what is your outlook for the future?"

Mark: “It’s no surprise that one of the most common trends across many markets, including automotive, medical, and industrial, is that form factors continue to get smaller. However, these size demands and requirements for higher data transfer capability can be challenging for OEM designs. Miniaturization demands more intricate ways of board stacking and combining different technologies to meet form factor requirements.

With the rapid adoption of AI in industrial applications, design engineers are turning to high-density consumer-grade connector products with small form factors and high IO performance specs to support the significant sensing technologies utilized in Industry 4.0. Many consumer connector products, especially ones used in wearable devices, are designed for the same harsh environmental conditions found in industrial applications, such as shock, vibration, moisture, and more. These connectors feature robust locking technologies and unique designs that increase retention force to ensure safe and reliable connections.

Another trend we’re seeing is the implementation of distributed computing architectures in various applications to address scalability, performance, and predictive and preventative maintenance. Instead of relying on a single, powerful central processor, distributed systems allocate the computational workload among multiple nodes. Distributed computing architectures leverage parallel processing, resource sharing, and decentralized decision-making to enhance performance and data communication paths. Engineers are facing the same form factor challenges as with consumer electronics, where they need to be creative with board stack-ups and the introduction of flex circuits in their applications."

CP: "What is your strategy for maintaining a competitive edge in a crowded market?"

Mark: "We're leveraging our years of experience in the consumer space to develop new products and expand our existing product lines to meet/overcome design challenges. As more devices move from analog to a connected infrastructure, designs have become more sophisticated. OEMs are seeking new connector technologies to keep pace with demands for miniaturization and increased functionality while simplifying manufacturing complexities.

As the complexity of connected device designs increases, the challenge is providing solutions that balance the space requirements while also addressing the practical concerns of performance and assembly. Connector solutions need to consider electrical and mechanical factors and ease of use in both manual and automated manufacturing environments.

With advanced technologies and diverse development capabilities, Hirose continues to design ground-breaking connector solutions to meet global market needs. Today, HIROSE ELECTRIC offers more than 50,000 products, with new products accounting for more than 30% of sales."

CP: "What is Hirose’s distribution partnership strategy and how do they align with your overall business strategy?"

Mark: "Hirose is committed to supporting and growing our distribution channel business. Our valued channel partners play a critical role in helping Hirose’s customers solve dynamic challenges in a wide range of markets and applications. We continue to improve in-house resources by adding sales, engineering and customer service specialists to better support our channel partners.

In addition, we are supplementing the channel by adding complementary distribution partners focused on target market segments that align with Hirose growth plans. This results in the development of new business opportunities in a wide range of traditional and emerging markets."

THE TAKEAWAY

These insights from Mark offer a glimpse into the cutting-edge developments at Hirose Electric. Keep following 'Connection Point' for the latest updates and in-depth perspectives from leaders in the electronics industry. For more information about our innovative products or to engage with our team, feel free to reach out to us directly.

For more information on how Hirose Electric's connectors can transform your wearable device design, visit hirose.com or contact our team of experts today.