Basingstoke, U.K.: ITT Interconnect Solutions has invested £500,000 in its facility in Basingstoke, U.K., to support the local military and aerospace market for MIL-DTL-38999 connectors (Fig. 1). OEMs’ volume orders now can be fulfilled directly from Basingstoke with competitive lead times, and ITT can better service its value-added distributor partners that operate in the fast-turnaround small-volume sector.
The company has recently redesigned its QPL-approved MIL-DTL-38999 product lineup to simplify manufacturing and reduce costs (Fig. 2). The number of internal parts for each connector was reduced and construction simplified, making final assembly quicker.
The Basingstoke facility is qualified to ISO9001-2008 and ISO 14001-2004 including an in-house plating line. In addition to QPL-qualified Cadmium olive-drab and silver nickel platings, ITT also offers RoHS-compliant (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances) platings specifically for the European market.
Other military and aerospace products that are assembled at the plant include MIL-DTL-26482, missile, and Nemesis connectors (targeting future soldier systems), as well as high-current PowerLock, electric vehicle J1772, RF, and high-density micro connectors. Harnesses for all ITT product types are also designed and produced at the facility.