Introduction Molex is a global company, which continues to draw inspiration from the innovative spirit of its founder. We are one of the leading manufactures of connectors with a range of more then 110,000 products. For example, you will find Molex connector systems in cars, Computers and domestic appliance. You will also find them telecommunications and industrial machinery.

In 1938, in the USA, Frederick Krehbiel and his two sons invented a highly malleable material and decided to establish their own company under the name of Molex, an abbreviated form of " Molding experts". Today, Molex operates 47 manufacturing companies.

How's Business

Just as our customers are demanding when it comes to pricing, they also have tough standards for delivery and quality. Today our delivery performance is very poor. This is an area where we must make major improvements or risk the loss of a number of our key customers. If we are able to improve our delivery, continue to improve our quality and get our products to market faster, then we should be able to increase our market share from its current 6.3% and continue to grow faster and with higher profits than the rest of the industry.

While our revenues have increased considerably, our high operating costs are keeping us from being as profitable as we could be. We must find ways to cut our costs. This is an inititive that everyone in the Company can contribute to. By keeping our costs lower we can compete more successfally in markets we serve. In our Europe Region, sales rose 43% in local currencies and 26% in U.S dollar. The rapidly expanding telecommunications market there has generated new business for many of our connecter lines. Sales in the America's Region increased 38% compared to the same quarter last year. Without the effect of Cardell, which was an acquisition, revenue growth in the region was 24%. Revenues from both our fiber optic and telecom products continue to be strong. We have been selling these products faster than we can make them, so we are working to increase our capacities. The successful integration of Cardell Automotive, along with a thriving automotive market, is helping to drive up sales of our automotive products. The profitability of our Brazil operations, which has suffered in recent years, is rebounding along with the country's economy.

Molex Ireland

This year Molex Ireland is celebrating nearly thirty years of continuous growth and has quietly grown to become one of the second largest over seas facilities of Molex Incorporated. Molex Ireland's growth has subsequently mirrored that of the corporation and presently comprises six modern facilities with over 700 employees and revenues in excess of IR£ 100 million, primarily exports. These state-of-the-art manufacturing plants at Shannon Ennis and Smithtown Co. Clare and Mill Street, Co Cork are amongst the largest within the global group and a major supply resource for the European electronics industry. Molex Ireland also operates in conduction with subsidiary operations and joint-venture partners in Eastern Europe for interconnection systems supply.