HARTING Makes Industrial Connectivity Possible
February 26, 2025
By Owen Hurst
HARTING is one of the largest manufacturers of industrial connection technologies in the world. They offer a comprehensive portfolio of connectors that are robust, easy to use, and applicable across a variety of industrial sectors. Garstkiewicz says that there are many kinds of connectors. “I would say within HARTING itself; we have tens of thousands of different SKUs for different connectors. And we are just one connector company. We make a lot of products, but we do not make everything. I could not even imagine how many different types of connectors there actually are.”
With so many options available, selecting the right one for an industrial application can be challenging. Garstkiewicz starts by understanding the function of the end application or device. For example, he points out that the connector needed for an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) will be different from the connector needed for a drone. “I always say, ‘You are not designing a product around the connector. The connector is supporting what the product needs.’ When someone is designing a product, sometimes the connector is one of the last pieces to be selected.” It is then up to experts in connection technology like Garstkiewicz to find a connector that will make that object work.
Attributes like weight, size, and function all contribute to which connector is selected. Garstkiewicz says that when he collaborates with a customer to select an industrial connector, he considers multiple factors to make sure it works the way they need it to. “There is this X-sized object, and I need to power up things in this device. I need to communicate with this device. What data rates do I need for optimal performance and communication with the device? How many channels of communication do I need?”
Garstkiewicz and his team understand that their customers’ knowledge in this area varies. So, HARTING makes it as easy as possible for their customers to select a connector that will fit their application or can offer their expertise to help them find the solution. “We offer digital tools, configurators, and things of that nature, for someone who has familiarity with what they think they need, and just need to get a final part number. Or we offer in-person support or e-chats, where we have a team of field application engineers that can walk through any level of that journey with them to make it easier for someone to pick out a connector.”
HARTING can even offer customization within the connector using standard stocked SKUs. “Every year we are producing more and more modules and products, such as higher density Ethernet connections, or modules that support Single Pair Ethernet, or different power configurations.” He adds, “We have another product family called our ‘har-Modular product family,’ and this takes that modular concept, but on a board-to-board level.”
Efficient connectors that support more power and higher data demands – while taking up less space using as little material as possible – are the future of manufacturing and other critical industries around the world. Garstkiewicz says that people choose HARTING because they are a proven company, a forward-looking technology company with a history of industrial reliability. “We are certainly known for the reliability and robustness of our products. When you buy a HARTING product, you have a level of confidence that your product is going to function and work. Our focus is to continue to innovate and provide solutions for some of these next-generation opportunities.”
For customers who want to learn more about HARTING’s connectivity solutions, they have a demo van that travels North America – and even makes stops in Canada. This gives Canadian customers the opportunity to check out their products and solutions in person. Check out this video to see what you can expect to see at the HARTING Roadshow Truck:
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Interested in learning more about HARTING’s connection solutions? Visit their website today.
