ITSA sees UK connector sales rise in 2025

Image courtesy ITSA

Despite a year of challenges, the stock markets remained buoyant, the UK connector market grew again and ITSA members enjoyed a reasonably positive year.

Interconnect revenues grew 5% in 2025 which was very much in line with ITSA members’ projections and investments continued, however, employment has been drastically affected by the uncertainty over any new employee legislation and the increase in the minimum wage, as previously reported members continue to look at innovative in house employee development rather than external recruitment. 
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Orders did not grow in 2025, so 2026 begins with a slightly decreased order backlog.

A positive sign is that members distribution revenues were up 12% which has historically led to increased OEM revenues and our key strategic markets were all positive.

At a technology level all key interconnect products were up with the exception of RF, however, this has to be offset by the increase of 41% in members value add activity which indicates a focus on things such as cable assemblies and sub systems which incorporate a lot of RF interconnect.

For 2026 ITSA members are looking at low single digit growth again but this could be higher as there are a lot of key programmes in the pipeline for 2026 and beyond.

As with previous years the UK interconnect market has proved to be challenging but amazingly resilient.



ITSA members are planning for a face-to-face meeting in May where ITSA will conduct a comprehensive review of the association’s activities and to agree forward plans regarding PR, Web enhancement, social media engagement, membership and market trends.


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Headline statistics:

Headline performances:-
•    Revenues up 5% yoy and orders flat yoy
•    B to B flat 1:1

Key Markets:-
•    Broadcast down 6%
•    Mil/Aero up 2% 
•    Medical up 12%
•    T&M down 13% 
•    Mass Transport up 57% (This is linked to key rolling stock and infrastructure projects)

Smaller Markets:-
•    Automotive up 22%
•    Comms down 7%
•    Data down 4%

•    Distribution continued to perform well with an increase of 12% yoy. 

•    Technology Shifts
•    Fibre Optics up 5%
•    RF down 16%
•    Circular up 17%
•    Value Add up 41%.
 

Download a full copy of the ITSA Report

For further information: https://itsa.org.uk