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Molex – Smiths Interconnect

Approved

Stage

Phase 1 - initial assessment

Effective Notification

13/11/2025

End of Determination Period

14/01/2026

Determination Published

05/12/2025 (22 cal / 16 bus. days)

Determination

Approved

Acquirers

Molex Electronic Technologies Holdings, LLC

Company number 464432478

Targets

Smiths Interconnect Group Limited

UK CRN 06641403

Other parties

Koch, Inc.

Company number 992449504

Description

Molex Electronic Technologies Holdings LLC (Molex) proposes to acquire Smiths Interconnect Group Limited (Smiths Interconnect) from Smiths Group International Holdings Limited through a share sale agreement.

Molex is part of the Molex group. The Molex group is a provider of electronic, electrical, and fibre optic connectivity solutions. It designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of products used in various industries, including automotive, data communications, medical, industrial, and consumer electronics, including developing connectors, cables, cable assemblies, antennas, and sensors that enable data transmission and power delivery.

The Molex group is a part of the Koch Group. The Koch Group is a multinational conglomerate based in the U.S. Its subsidiaries are involved in a variety of industries, in particular the manufacturing, refining, and distribution of petroleum, chemicals, energy, fibre, intermediates and polymers, minerals, fertiliser, pulp and paper, chemical technology equipment, cloud computing, interconnect products and electronic solutions, finance, raw materials trading, and investments.

Smiths Interconnect researches, develops and produces electronic components, sub-systems, optical and radio frequency products for reliable, high-speed and secure data for customers in the aerospace and defence, medical and industrial sectors, as well as providing semiconductor testing capabilities.

Molex and Smiths Interconnect overlap in Australia for the supply of connectors for all end use applications.

Commentary

Molex's acquisition of Smiths Interconnect's electronic connector business was cleared by the ACCC. Connectors are devices which allow electric current to run between parts of electrical circuits, with applications in communications, computers, industrial machinery and consumer electronics. The ACCC found that:

  • the parties do not compete closely in Australia, with their connector products used for different end-use applications;
  • the combined market share in connector supply in Australia is very low; and
  • other suppliers including TE Connectivity, Amphenol and Foxconn continue to compete.

Neither party manufactures connectors in Australia; they are typically manufactured overseas and imported.

Updated 19/01/2026

Timeline & Events

  • Phase 1 - initial assessment determination: Approved

    05/12/2025

  • Questionnaire released for Molex acquisition of Smiths Interconnect

    14/11/2025

  • Merger notified to ACCC

    13/11/2025