Molex

Molex LLC

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Electronics manufacturing, connectivity solutions
Founded	1938
Founder	Frederick Krehbiel
Headquarters	Lisle, Illinois , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Connectivity solutions, electronic connectors, sensors, medical device components
Number of employees	5,400 (Phillips-Medisize subsidiary)
Parent	Koch Industries

Molex LLC specializes in manufacturing connectivity solutions for electronic, electrical, and fiber optic applications, offering more than 100,000 products across sectors such as data communications, medical technology, industrial equipment, automotive, and consumer electronics. Famous for creating the Molex connector, a staple in personal computing devices, it holds the position of the world's second-largest electronic connector manufacturer.

History

Established in 1938 by Frederick Krehbiel, Molex originally produced flowerpots made from an industrial plastic named Molex—a composite material created by blending asbestos waste, coal tar pitch, and limestone. The company later diversified into producing electrical connectors and sensors for major clients including General Electric. In 2006, Molex completed its most significant acquisition to date by purchasing Woodhead Industries.

In February 2005, Molex disclosed adjusted financial figures for the first half of its 2005 fiscal year. During the same year, the company faced a class action lawsuit alleging that executives had artificially inflated market prices; this legal matter was resolved in 2007 through a $10.5 million settlement fund.

By 2009, Molex was identified as a "Hidden Champion" by Hermann Simon and operated 59 manufacturing facilities worldwide while achieving an annual growth rate of 12%. In 2011, the firm broadened its portfolio to include sophisticated three-dimensional electronic components tailored for medical device applications.

In September 2013, Koch Industries acquired Molex for $7.2 billion. Following the acquisition, Molex retained its original name and headquarters in Lisle, Illinois, functioning as a subsidiary under Koch Industries.

Molex further strengthened its presence in the medical device sector by acquiring Phillips-Medisize in November 2016. This private equity-backed company specializes in plastic injection molding and medical instruments and operates globally with around 5,400 employees spread across 21 sites as an indirect subsidiary.

The company's pharmaceutical product range expanded with the January 2025 acquisition of British inhalation device manufacturer Vectura.