News COMMENT


Welcome to the April issue of Instrumentation Monthly.


You still have time to enter the 2026 Instrumenta- tion & Electronics Awards. With new categories including


the Academic Support & Training Award, Industrial AI Product of the Year, and Passive Component / Electromechanical Product of the Year, the Awards celebrate innovation, technical excellence and real-world impact across the instrumentation and electronics sectors. Find out more on page 14.


Victoria White, Editor MOLEX ACQUIRES SMITHS INTERCONNECT M


olex has completed the acquisition of Smiths Interconnect, marking a major milestone in Molex’s vision to enable technology that is transforming the future and improving people’s lives. Smiths Interconnect brings a diverse portfolio of complementary products and advantaged capabilities in ruggedised custom connectors, contacts, RF compo- nents and optical transceivers for harsh environments. Smiths Interconnect also brings leading semiconductor test capabilities that complement Molex’s data communications and data center solutions to support growth in AI, along with a strong medical interconnect capability to support Medtech customers. “We are excited to finalise the Smiths Inter- connect acquisition, which expands our portfolio and engineering expertise worldwide,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO, Molex. “Along with their products and technology, we are excited about the Smiths Interconnect’s global team and the strong customer relationships that they have established.”


VISION ENGINEERING APPOINTS HARRY CURTIS AS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR


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ision Engineering Group, market leader in ergonomic microscopy and metrology solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Harry Curtis to the position of technical director, effective 1 April 2026. This appointment sees Curtis join the Group’s Board of Directors. In his new capacity, Curtis will spearhead the formulation and implementation of the Group’s global technical strategy. He will


also retain leadership of Vision Technology Partner- ships, Vision Optics, and Vision TriTeQ. A graduate of Southampton University with a Masters in Electronic Engineering, Harry Curtis brought experience in Oil and Gas project engineering to Vision Engineering. His career within the company has been defined by international versatility and strategic impact, having served as technical support for the North American sales team, product development engineer and as design project manager in the UK. Most recently, as head of Technology Exploitation, Curtis has been instrumental in diversifying Vision Engi- neering’s market presence and fostering high-value collaborations with niche technology partners. The appointment coincides with a strategic shift for Graham Mercer, the outgoing group design and development director. After a distinguished tenure, Mercer will take on the new title of executive director,


Instrumentation Monthly April 2026


Design and Research Concepts. Mercer will remain a key member of the Board of Directors, pivoting his focus toward concept develop- ment to ensure Vision Engineering continues to produce the patentable, competitive technologies for which it is globally renowned. The leadership transition is designed to foster seamless collabo- ration between established expertise and new strategic oversight. Harry Curtis will assume respon-


sibility for the strategy of the UK-based Design Department and will also oversee the strategic growth of the Concept Development Team. Graham Mercer and Harry Curtis will continue to work closely to ensure the Group’s R&D pipeline remains the strongest in the industry. “Harry’s appointment to the Board marks an exciting new chapter for our technical leadership,” said Mark Curtis, Group CEO of Vision Engi- neering. “His blend of international experience and proven success in technology exploitation makes him the ideal person to drive our future strategy. We are also delighted that Graham Mercer will continue to lend his immense experience to our research concepts, ensuring we remain at the fore- front of optical innovation.”


Vision Engineering www.visioneng.com


As the largest acquisition in Molex’s history, the addition of Smiths Interconnect positions Molex to drive innovation across the high-reliability inter- connect market - encompassing aerospace and defense, space exploration, industrial, medical and semiconductor test industries. The combination of Smiths Interconnect’s capabilities with Molex’s global footprint, engineering strength, culture and financial strength enables Molex to deliver increased value to customers around the world.


“This acquisition reinforces Molex’s position as a leader across every sector where high reliability is critical,” said Michael Cole, SVP and president, Aerospace and Defense Solutions Division, Molex. “By unifying these high-reliability solutions under the Molex banner, we provide a borderless platform that enables engineers to leverage ruggedised, preci- sion-engineered connectivity.”


Molex www.molex.com


SPELSBERG UK STRENGTHENS INDUSTRY TEAM


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pelsberg UK has appointed Michael White as the compa- ny’s new industry manager who will partner with stake- holders across key sectors to advise on industrial enclosure selection. White brings over 20 years’ expe-


rience to the role and will support Spelsberg’s full-scale range of engineering services offered to industrial projects that extend to enclosure customi- sation and bespoke design.


Data centres are a key focus for Spelsberg, and White will support OEMs and electrical contractors as well as data centre management in the selection and integration of high durability and fire-protected enclosures. Spelsberg’s range of polycarbonate housings can protect critical elec- trical connections and devices for up to 90 minutes in the event of a fire, supported by IP66 protection. Based in Bedfordshire but covering the UK and Ireland, White will also support designers as well as electrical contractors and installers across industries including the rail sector, water and waste-water treatment, as well as energy, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences. Engineering firms diversifying into net zero, carbon capture, and hydrogen services will also be included within Spelsberg’s industrial focus.


Spelsberg UK www.spelsberg.co.uk 5


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