Cinch Connectivity Solutions . May 08, 2017

Cinch Connectivity Solutions Celebrates 100 Years of Ingenuity

Lombard, IL [May 9, 2017] Cinch Connectivity Solutions, a Bel group company, (NASDAQ: BELFA and BELFB) and global leader in delivering reliable connectivity solutions, celebrates 100 years of ingenuity this year.  In 1917, Arthur Kimbell, a 27-year-old civil engineer with a vision to revolutionize the automotive industry with the push button window fastener, founded Automobile and Engineering Company which later became Cinch. Cinch will celebrate this milestone with employee and customer events throughout the year.

 Cinch has advanced from the early days of fasteners and hangers being sold to a company just started by Henry Ford to taking flight in the first US space program. Today, Cinch continues to be a premier supplier to many Military, Aerospace and Industrial companies. Cinch, headquartered in Lombard, IL, continues to invest significantly in research and development and employee growth as the company prepares for the next 100 years. 

 “The entire Cinch family is both humbled and pleased to be part of this history and sincerely wants to thank the many Cinch employees that came before us,” said Peter Bittner, president, Bel Connectivity Solutions. “With continued commitment and drive in innovation, Cinch looks forward to the next 100 years.”

 “Bel has been the leading provider of products in networking and telecommunications industries. Acquiring Cinch allowed Bel to penetrate the military and commercial aerospace markets and broaden customer relationships, thus making Bel a much stronger company today” said Dan Bernstein, Bel president and CEO. “I am honored to lead Cinch as we continue to grow our business and support our customers through the next 100 years.”

 Notable Milestones of Ingenuity:

1917-   Founded in Chicago as Automobile and Engineering Company

1940s- Acquires Howard B Jones Company, famous for “Jones Plugs”

1960s- Cinch begins a relationship with Boeing, providing Omega Circular Connectors used on the 727 aircraft

1970s- Cinch takes flight with the Orbitor 101 launched from Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Dura-Con® used in the main engine guidance controller.

1980s- Provided mil spec specialty connectors and wire harnesses to major Defense contractors (relationships that Cinch maintains today)

1988-  Established operations in Reynosa, Mexico

1990s- Provided Z Axix compression contacts into the world’s premier High-Speed Computer companies such as Cray, IBM and SUN

       - Develops ModICE® Enclosures used in Agriculture, Construction and Transportation industries

2000s- Fuel Quantity Indicating System (FQIS) is designed and installed for Commercial Aircraft manufacturers

2010 -  Acquired by Bel Fuse Inc.

2012-   Acquires Fibreco Limited, expanding the product portfolio to include harsh environment optical products

2013-  Acquires Array Connector, expanding offering in cylindrical connectors including M26482, M5015, custom filtered and miniature cylindrical connectors as well as rectangular aerospace connectors

2014-  Bel Fuse Inc. acquires Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions and merges with Cinch Connectors, creating Cinch Connectivity Solutions

Today- Exceeding milestones with 80patents, 10 global sales and manufacturing facilities and 43 distribution channels

 About Bel

Bel (belfuse.com) designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits. These products are primarily used in the networking, telecommunications, computing, military and aerospace, transportation and broadcasting industries. Bel’s product groups include Magnetic Solutions (integrated connector modules, power transformers, power inductors and discrete components), Power Solutions and Protection (front-end, board-mount and industrial power products, module products and circuit protection), and Connectivity Solutions (expanded beam fiber optic, copper-based, RF and RJ connectors and cable assemblies). The Company operates facilities around the world.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements are: the market concerns facing our customers; the continuing viability of sectors that rely on our products; the effects of business and economic conditions; difficulties associated with integrating recently acquired companies; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; product development, commercializing or technological difficulties; the regulatory and trade environment; risks associated with foreign currencies; uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; the market’s acceptance of the Company’s new products and competitive responses to those new products; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports. In light of the risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will in fact prove to be correct. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements.

 

Media Contact: Katie Owens, Katie.owens@us.cinch.com