1. You’ve got a lot of experience in the connector industry, but you’ve only been with San-tron for about six months. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what was attractive about joining San-tron? What has you excited about the direction of San-tron?
My journey in the RF/microwave connector industry began in 1991 when I joined my father’s business, Connector Gage Company, in Melbourne, Fla. This was my first experience in a manufacturing environment where I gained knowledge in various aspects of the business, including operations, machining, assembly, testing and design. After that, I was involved in launching two start-up companies and later worked for two much larger connector companies with thousands of employees. The main attraction for me at San-tron was its recognized brand within the RF connector industry, it’s long-standing reputation for high quality, combined with its smaller size, allowing me to thrive and make a significant contribution. Essentially, moving to San-tron feels like coming full circle back to my roots.
2. Ken Sanders established San-tron in the mid-1950s, and the family has owned it since then. What are the advantages and benefits of ownership stability? What are the challenges?
The Sanders family retains ownership of the company but is no longer involved in daily operations. Control has shifted to a board of directors, which includes two family members and three external directors. This continuity of family ownership offers a unique level of stability and long-term vision in today's industry. This structure enables us to operate with significant flexibility, allowing us to swiftly adapt to market changes and customer needs without the bureaucratic layers that often hinder larger organizations. However, balancing rapid technological advancements with tradition can be challenging within a family-owned framework.
3. Can you give the readers some of San-tron’s “metrics” (number of facilities, number of employees, square footage, number of products, etc.) that will help our readers get a better sense of San-tron?
San-tron is classified as a small business, with our headquarters located in a 30,000 ft2 facility in Ipswich, Mass. We are fully vertically integrated, allowing us to design, machine and assemble our products in-house. We are continually adapting to meet industry trends and customer preferences. Recently, we made strategic adjustments to our facility in Suzhou, China, reflecting the increasing demand for products labeled "Made in the USA." Our Suzhou facility remains an integral part of our global operations, focusing on the production of low-cost, commercial products while ensuring we stay competitive in the evolving marketplace. These changes are part of our commitment to delivering quality, efficiency and value to our customers worldwide.
4. Can you describe San-tron’s product portfolio for readers who may be unfamiliar? What differentiates your product from competitor products?
Our primary products, which account for about 85 percent of our sales, are RF/microwave connectors ranging from DC to 67 GHz. With nearly 70 years in business, we offer a wide range of products and have designs for over 50 different connector series. This extensive experience allows us to quickly respond to customers with custom requirements when standard off-the-shelf options don't meet their specifications. Unlike many other connector manufacturers, we accommodate most custom requests regardless of the quantity needed and often don't charge NRE if the design is similar to something we've previously created. In addition to connectors, we also manufacture cable assemblies and test adapters.
5. Some of your latest product releases have been non-magnetic interconnects for quantum and medical opportunities, among others. Do you see those markets as significant growth opportunities for San-Tron?
The quantum computer market is currently experiencing significant buzz and activity, particularly with the integration of AI. Additionally, there is a growing use of RF devices in the medical field, such as MRI applications that utilize RF signals for precise diagnostic imaging. Both applications necessitate the use of non-magnetic connector materials to ensure signal integrity within magnetic fields. To address this need, we have added a dedicated non-magnetic product page to our website. This page lists specific part numbers for panel mount field-replaceable connectors, cable connectors, cable assemblies and adapters. We also offer custom solutions using these materials.
6. What markets do you serve and what is your biggest market opportunity? How do you see that changing in the next five years?
San-tron serves several key markets, including aerospace, defense, telecommunications, medical, industrial and the emerging quantum computing industry. Currently, our biggest market opportunities lie within telecommunications and defense. However, I anticipate significant future opportunities in the quantum computing, medical and communication infrastructure markets. Over the next five years, the demand for RF/microwave connectors is expected to continue to grow, driven by the need for higher frequencies, smaller form factors and improved performance and reliability.
7. Where is your development focus? What applications, technologies, products and markets have you excited for the future?
Our current main product development focuses on field-replaceable connectors designed for high-frequency applications ranging from 18 to 67 GHz. These connectors are used for "outside-the-box" applications and can be found on various RF/microwave devices such as filters, amplifiers, couplers, transmitters, receivers and power dividers. While we have offered field-replaceable products for years, we have recently developed a new generation of high-performance connectors for the SMA, 2.92 mm, 2.4 mm and 1.85 mm series. The primary driver across all markets using RF/microwave signals is the increase in frequencies, which our new generation of field-replaceable products addresses. As frequencies rise, it becomes crucial to control the process from design through manufacturing to achieve the required performance. That’s where our vertical integration plays a key role.
8. San-tron features a social responsibility policy prominently on your webpage. How do these policies guide your business and influence the employee culture?
Our social responsibility policies are at the core of San-tron’s culture. We’re committed to environmentally friendly practices, adhering to labor regulations, employee safety and community engagement. We also feel the need to give back to the community with examples like providing scholarships to local students, sponsoring youth athletics and donations to charitable causes. We understand that sustainability and social responsibility are integral to our long-term success.
9. What else would you like our readers to know about San-tron?
We want your readers to understand that San-tron is more than just a connector manufacturer. We are a customer-focused, vertically integrated solution provider with the experience, technical expertise and flexibility to quickly respond to our customers' needs. Whether your application requires a standard coaxial connector, something similar or a completely unique solution, we have the know-how to deliver a high-quality product at a fair price and in a reasonable time frame. Our goal is to ensure that we make it as effortless as possible for our customers to do business with us.