MolexЃfs has experienced rapid sales increase in recent years in the automotive market with a compoundannual rate of 38% since F1990. Sales have nearly quadrupled in this market since 1990. MolexЃfsacquisition of Cardell has further strengthened its automotive business.

Between 1990 and 2000, MolexЃfs sales in the telecommunications market have increased from 6% of salesin 1990 to 22% in 2000. Over the past few years, Molex has increased its focus on thetelecommunications market expanding its product offering through internal development, acquisitions andstrategic alliances. It has made three strategic acquisitions to broaden its offering: WinchesterElectronicsЃf Biberach operation, which makes a wide variety of connectors for the telecommunicationsswitching market; its fiber optics connector business, which began as a joint venture; and Molex PremiseNetworks (formerly Mod-Tap), offering premises wiring products.

Molex had early involveme nt in the TV and appliance market and sales to these mature markets are stillgrowing.

In 1980, MolexЃfs sales to the computer market were less than $20 million. Today, this is MolexЃfs largestserved market with sales of $726 million. Molex is a leader in the notebook PC connector market becauseof its line of technologically advanced microminiature products and in the server market with its line ofhigh performance products.

Industrial is a relatively new market focus for Molex. The company established its Industrial Division in2000 and sees this market as having longer product life cycles and consistent stable growth.

Other industries served by Molex include medical equipment, instrumentation, aerospace, and the military.In order to support its growth in the world marketplace, Molex has put in place a global information system(GIS). All Molex entities worldwide operate on the same information system. This GIS system improvescustomer service, reduces new product development time, improves productivity, reduces costs andprovides management with a sharper and more timely view of its business.

Molex has been very successful in the past few years in reducing time to market for new products. This hasresulted in higher volume orders at higher prices, which has become important in helping the company meetits financial objectives. In 2000, Molex increased spending on research and development to a record $128.8million, or 5.8% of sales, which led to the introduction of 406 new product families. New products developin the last three years accounted for 31.1% of MolexЃfs total revenues in 2000. Molex was also granted 533new product patents in 2000.

Molex Regional Connector Sales

In 2000, MolexЃfs sales increased 27.8% to $2.438 billion compared with 1999 sales of $1.907 billion. Morethan 60% of MolexЃfs sales were generated from products manufactured and sold outside the United States.

Molex Connector Sales by End-Use Equipment Sector

In 2000, 55.6% of MolexЃfs connector sales to the computers and peripherals and telecommunicationssectors of the market. Automotive accounted for an additional 18.6% of sales, and consumer products14.9%

Molex Connector Sales by Product Category

Molex was the first to introduce the Enhanced Video Connector (EVC) in response to the emerging marketfor high-end, large-screen monitors. The MicroCross EVC (Enhanced Video Connector) system allows amonitor to be employed as an I/O hub for high-frequency multimedia computer applications. The part isproduced in Mexico and China.

Molex Organization Structure

Molex Incorporated is the second largest connector company in the world. Based in Lisle, IL, the company'sworldwide operations include 54 manufacturing facilities in 19 countries.Approximately 60% of annual sales are international:

• United States - $975.0 million
• International - $1,462.5 million

The Americas Group is organized into the following six divisions focused on specific markets:

• Commercial Products Division
• Automotive Division
• Switch Division
• Tooling Division
• Molex Premise Networks
• Molex-ETC

International Operations has three major organization groups:

• Europe
• Far East South
• Far East North

Molex-Americas (42.4% of Fiscal 2000 Sales - $940.6 million)

Molex-Americas operates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America. In 2000, this region grew sales39.1% and profits 45.6%. The regionЃfs operations include 20 factories, 16 sales offices, 4 design centers,an R&D center in Chicago and over 5,000 employees. In the U.S., the company has 14 factories and 11 salesoffices. In addition, Molex operates a factory and sales office in Brazil, a factory in Guadalajara, Mexico, andtwo Mexican border operations. There is also a sales office in Canada.In 2000, Molex began construction of a larger system sales facility in Nogales, Mexico to fulfill customerdemand for connector assemblies. During the year, the Company also created an Industrial Division. Tocomplement its own offerings in this marke t, Molex acquired the Beau Interconnect Division of AxsysTechnologies Inc. in Gilford, New Hampshire. Beau specializes in U.S. and Eurostyle terminal blocks, barrierblocks and connectors.

Far East North (FEN) (23.5% of Fiscal 2000 Sales - $521.2 million)

The FEN region is comprised of two business entities: Molex-Japan and Molex-Korea. Molex-FEN includes6 manufacturing plants and 11 sales offices in Japan; two factories and four sales offices in Korea. Molexis currently focusing on telecom infrastructure in this region. In 2000, this region increased sales 39.7% inU.S. dollars and 22.2% in local currencies. Profits rose 41.6% in U.S. dollars and 24.5% in local currencies.This region continued to capture additional business in the automotive, high end telecom and industrialmarkets. To handle the increased growth in this region, Molex expanded its Tochigi factory and purchaseda new plant for fiber optic products in Kagoshima. In Korea Molex authorized construction of a third factoryin the southern part of the country.

Far East South (FES) (17.8% of Fiscal 2000 Sales - $394.1 million)

Molex first established a presence in Singapore in 1977, and now has factories in China, Malaysia, Singaporeand India. The company operates fully integrated product development centers in Singapore and Taiwan.Sales in this region increased 15.1% in U.S. dollars and 13.3% in local currencies. Profits increased 38.5%in U.S. dollars and 37.0% in local currencies.

When Molex opened the Shanghai plant, the company relocated most Taiwan manufacturing to this location.

Design, tooling, manufacturing prototype and sales remain in Taiwan. Taiwan will remain the majoradministrative and technology center supporting the Greater China operations. Molex also will beginsignificant expansion of their China 3 plant in 2001 and will purchase a fourth facility in northern China.

Europe (16.3% of Fiscal 2000 Sales - $361.2 million)

Molex-Europe manufactures in Ireland, the U.K., Germany, Italy and France. Headquarters for the region arein Munich, Germany. The company also has a minority interest in an Italian company, and sales offices inGermany, U.K., France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and Spain.Design centers are located in Ireland and Germany.

Sales increased 11.4% in this region and profits rose 23.2% in 2000. MolexЃfs plant in Ettlingen, Germanyfocuses on the automotive market and the Biberach plant primarily on the telecommunications industry.

To handle the increased business in the European region, Molex added several new facilities in 2000. InPoland and Slovakia the company expanded their assembly capabilities. In Ireland two additionalmanufacturing facilities and an assembly equipment manufacturer were purchased. In Slovakia the companymoved into a new fiber optic assembly plant and broke ground for MolexЃfs first connector manufacturingplant in that country.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Executive Summary

• Purpose of this Report
• Value to Clients
• Overview of the World Connector Market
• Exhibit 1 - World Connector Market by Region
• Chart 1 - World Connector Market
• Year-to-Year Growth 1982-2000
• Exhibit 2 - World Connector Market by Product
• Exhibit 3 - World Connector Market by End-Use Equipment
• Overview of Profiled Connector Companies
• Connector Sales by Region
• Exhibit 4 - 2000 Connector Sales by Region
• Exhibit 5 - 2000 % of Worldwide Sales by Region
• Sales and Market Share by Product Type
• Sales and Market Share by End-User Market
• Exhibit 6 - 2000 Sales by Product
• Exhibit 7 - 2000 Market Share by Product
• Exhibit 8 - 2000 Sales by End-Use Market
• Exhibit 9 - 2000 Market Share by End-Use Market
• Additional Exhibits
• Exhibit 10 Profiled Companies vs. World Total
• % Change by Region 1999-2000
• Exhibit 11 1999 vs 2000 Profiled Companies
• Share of World by Region
• Exhibit 12 Profiled Companies
• 1999-2000 Share of World Market by Product
• Exhibit 13 Profiled Companies
• 1999-2000 % Change in Market Share By Product
• Exhibit 14 Profiled Companies
• 1999-2000 Sales by Product
• Exhibit 15 Profiled Companies
• 1999-2000 Share of World Market By End-Use Market
• Exhibit 16 Profiled Companies
• 1999-2000 % Change in Market Share By End-Use Market
• Exhibit 17 Profiled Companies
• 1999-2000 Sales by End-Use Market

Chapter 2 - Tyco Electronics

• Company History
• Financial Statistics
• 1994-2000 Sales by Region
• Sales by Products and Markets
• Product Mix
• Markets
• Organization Structure
• Tyco Operating Companies
• Historical AMP Acquisition and Merger Activity
• Organization Chart
• Executive Profiles
• Significant Events

Chapter 3 - Amphenol Corp.

• Company History
• Financial Statistics
• 1994-2000 Connector Sales by Region
• Sales by Products and Markets
• Product Mix
• Markets
• Organization Structure
• Business Groups
• Operating Units
• Facilities
• Merger and Acquisition Activity
• Organization Chart
• Executive Profiles
• Significant Events

Chapter 4 - HARTING Elektronik GmbH

• Company History
• Financial Statistics
• 1995-2000 Connector Sales by Region
• Sales by Products and Markets
• Product Mix
• Markets
• Organization Structure
• Executive Profiles
• Significant Events

Chapter 5 - Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

• Company History
• Financial Statistics
• 1994-2000 Connector Sales by Region
• Sales by Products and Markets
• Product Mix
• Markets
• Organization Structure
• Manufacturing Plants
• Sales Offices & Subsidiaries
• Organization Chart
• Executive Profiles
• Significant Events

Chapter 6 - JAE - Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, LTD.

• Company History
• Financial Statistics
• 1994-2000 Connector Sales by Region
• Sales by Products and Markets
• Product Mix
• Markets
• Organization Structure
• Employees
• Products by Division
• Organization Chart
• JAE Executives
• Significant Events

Chapter 7 - Methode Electronics, Inc.

• Company History
• Financial Statistics
• 1994-2000 Connector Sales by Region
• Sales by Products and Markets
• Connector Products
• Product Mix
• Markets
• Organization Structure
• Methode Business Units
• Organization Chart
• Executive Profiles
• Significant Events