What Components Express does

Components Express, LLC (CEI) is a U.S.-based manufacturer of custom cable assemblies, connectivity products, enclosures, and mounting solutions for the machine vision, industrial automation, medical, networking, and aerospace markets, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Woodridge, Illinois. The company operates up to 80,000 square feet of flexible manufacturing space with CNC precision equipment, wave soldering, ultrasonic cleaning, injection molding, and proprietary testing, and holds ISO 9001, IPC, NASA 8739.4, and UL certifications, plus a Cisco Approved OEM Hardware Manufacturer designation. CEI's product portfolio spans machine vision cables (Camera Link, Gigabit Ethernet, CoaXPress, USB, M12, M8, Firewire), OEM-specific cables for camera platforms (Teledyne DALSA, Allied Vision, JAI, Matrox/Zebra), custom cables for medical and aerospace applications, IP67-rated camera enclosures, the patented Index Mount camera mounting system, and a family of Cisco-compatible patch panels under U.S. Patent #6,302,742 B1.

The company monetizes through hardware sales priced on a quote/RFQ basis, distributed through a global network of technical distributors across more than 40 countries — including Stemmer Imaging (Europe), Clearview Imaging (UK), Luster LightTech (China), Adept Turnkey (Australia/NZ), and Infaimon (Latin America) — supplemented by direct enterprise sales through an RFQ portal and phone/fax/email ordering. Its GTM combines distributor-assisted sales with event-driven demand generation at Automate (Chicago) and Vision (Stuttgart) trade shows, supported by online cable configurators that allow self-service specification across nearly all product lines. Since November 7, 2023, CEI has operated as a subsidiary of 2Connect, a Hong Kong-based sourcing and operations firm that also runs CEI's Asian office; Ray Berst serves as President.

Name

Components Express

Legal name

Components Express, LLC.

Website

https://componentsexpress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Components Express, LLC manufactures custom cable assemblies, enclosures, and patch panels for machine vision, industrial automation, medical, networking, and aerospace customers, selling globally through a 40+ country distributor network and direct RFQ sales from its Woodridge, Illinois headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial cable assemblies

NAICS

Electronic Connector Manufacturing (334417), Current-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing (335931), Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing (335921)

SIC

Electronic Connectors (3678), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Cable Assemblies & Wire Harnesses (HDAHAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Control, Instrumentation & Automation Cable (IMADAMAC), Ruggedized Connectors, Cabling & M12 Connectivity (Industrial Ethernet Physical Layer) (HDAFAJAJ), Cable Assemblies & Patch Cords (Copper/Fiber) (HDAFALAF), Data, Communications & Fiber Optic Cable (IMADAMAD)

Keywords

• Machine vision cables
• Industrial cable assemblies
• Camera enclosures
• Patch panels
• Cable manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial Cable Assemblies: Manufacture and sale of industrial cables including Camera Link, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, Firewire, M8, M12, CoaXPress, and specialty cables. Revenue is generated through direct orders and distributor purchases, typically as one-time product purchases with potential for recurring orders.
2. Patch Panels: Cisco-compatible patch panels including Octal Async, HWIC, Smart Serial RS-232, V.35 Feed-Thru, T1, and AIC alarm interface panels sold as finished hardware products.
3. Medical Device Cable Assemblies: Custom-designed medical cables and device assemblies for medical OEM clients, including complete kits with custom PC boards and programmed components.
4. Camera Enclosures & Mounts: IP67 and IP68 rated camera enclosures and proprietary Index Mount adjustable camera mounts for machine vision applications.
5. Power Supplies & Components: AC/DC power supplies, connectors, fans, IEC receptacles, modular components, and switches sold as finished goods.
6. Custom Cables (Data Comm / Telecom): Custom cable manufacturing for data communications, telecom, and networking including Smart Serial, Cisco-compatible, fiber optic, D-Sub, LFH, and SCSI cables.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Components Express manufactures and assembles machine vision and industrial cable assemblies (Camera Link, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, Firewire, M8, M12, CoaXPress), IP67-rated camera enclosures, the patented Index Mount adjustable camera mounting system, Cisco-compatible patch panels, and custom cables for medical, aerospace, defense, and telecom applications. The company offers online cable configurators for self-specification of connector types, cable materials, orientations, and lengths, with 100% performance testing on every cable produced.

Product overview

Components Express (CEI) is a manufacturer and total solution provider of machine vision and industrial cable assemblies, connectivity products, enclosures, and mounting solutions established in 1992. The product portfolio is organized into four main categories: (1) Machine Vision Cables — including Camera Link, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, Firewire, M8, M12, Internal Camera Link, and CoaXPress cables; (2) Custom Cables — covering Cisco compatible, fiber optic, CAT5/5e/6, coaxial, coil cord, D-Sub, LFH, medical, SCSI, home theater, NOKIA RF, and Smart Serial cables; (3) Enclosures & Index Mount — IP67-rated industrial camera enclosures in multiple form factors and the patented Index Mount adjustable camera mounting system; and (4) Patch Panels — Cisco-compatible rack-mount networking panels in 1RU configurations. Supporting product lines include power supplies, connectors and housings, fans, IEC receptacles, modular components, and switches, as well as the BIT MAXX active extension cable sub-brand for extended-distance USB3 Vision and Camera Link applications. CEI offers online cable configurators for most machine vision cable product lines, enabling customers to specify connector types, cable materials, orientations, and lengths. The company operates ISO 9001-certified manufacturing in Woodridge, Illinois, with global distribution across dozens of countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIT MAXX: A product family including extended distance Camera Link cables, ultimate performance cables, and long distance USB3 cables.
• Index Mount

Products and services

• Camera Link Cables
• Gigabit Ethernet Cables Industrial Ethernet cables for GigE Vision machine vision cameras, available in CAT5e, CAT6, and CAT6a ratings with various IP-rated connectors including RJ45 and M12 X-coded variants supporting distances up to 100 meters.
• Analog Cables Analog video cables for industrial and machine vision applications, supporting various pin configurations and connector orientations for I/O signaling.
• Firewire (IEEE-1394) Cables
• M8 Industrial I/O Cables Industrial I/O cables with M8 circular connectors in A-coded configurations, supporting 2P through 8P variants for sensors and automation devices.
• M12 Industrial I/O Cables UL-listed industrial I/O cables with M12 circular connectors in A, D, L, and X codings with 4P to 17P pin counts, IP67-rated for harsh industrial environments including sensors, cameras, and automation applications.
• Internal Camera Link Cables Internal ribbon-style Camera Link cables for intra-system camera connections using MDR/HDR connectors, designed for embedded vision system deployments.
• CoaXPress Cables High-speed CoaXPress digital interface cables supporting CXP-1, CXP-3, CXP-6, and CXP-12 speeds up to 12 Gbps, with multiple connector types including BNC, DIN 1.0/2.3, TNC, and HD-BNC for high-bandwidth machine vision applications.
• USB Cables USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1 cables for machine vision with standard and industrial-grade connectors; includes USB-A, USB-B, USB Micro-B, and USB Type-C variants supporting data rates up to 5 Gbps at distances up to 8 meters.
• BIT MAXX Extended Distance Cables Active extension cable product line under the BIT MAXX sub-brand extending USB3 Vision to 20 meters and Camera Link to full-mode distances, using active signal processing technology for long-distance machine vision deployments.
• Industrial Camera Enclosures IP67-rated industrial camera enclosures in extruded, round, and stainless steel series for 29mm, 38mm, 55mm, and 88mm form factor cameras, protecting machine vision cameras in harsh industrial, defense, and outdoor environments.
• Index Mount Adjustable Camera Mounts Patented adjustable camera mounting system featuring the Index Mount design (including EN-M4 and EN-M4X extreme duty models) for easy aiming and repositioning of machine vision cameras during installation and maintenance.
• Cisco-Compatible Patch Panels Cisco-compatible rack-mount patch panels including 32-port Octal Async (PF 20097), 32-port HWIC (PF 2800), 8-port V.35, Smart Serial RS-232, 16-port Octal Modem, 8-port T1, AIC alarm interface panels, and NM32 HWIC16A interface in 1RU form factors, utilizing patented PCB internal construction.
• Medical Cables and Device Assemblies Custom medical-grade cable assemblies and device kits for medical OEMs, including nurse call cables, hospital-grade power cords, and complete kitted solutions with custom injection molding and wave soldering capabilities.
• Coaxial Cables Precision coaxial cable assemblies cut and stripped to +/-0.015 inch tolerances using CNC equipment, tested to NASA 8739.4 aerospace standards with VSWR and Hipot testing options.
• Cisco Compatible Cables Cisco OEM-equivalent cables including Smart Serial, LFH60 to DB37, and octal modem cables for Cisco networking and terminal server equipment, offered as an approved Cisco hardware manufacturer.
• Fiber Optic Cables Fiber optic patch cables in LC, SC, ST, MTRJ, and mixed connector configurations for high-speed data transmission in networking applications.
• CAT 5, 5E, 6 Cables DataMax-certified Category 5, 5e, and 6 patch cords tested to TIA/EIA-568-B standards using Fluke Networks analyzers, with 100% testing for wire map, NEXT, and return loss.
• AC/DC Power Supplies AC/DC power supplies for machine vision cameras and equipment, available in universal wall mount, desktop, and industrial configurations with Hirose connector options, plus adapters including international plug types.
• OEM I/O Cables & Accessories OEM I/O cables and accessories designed for specific camera manufacturer platforms including Allied Vision, JAI, Matrox, and Teledyne DALSA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Testing performed on every cable manufactured
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional and minor.

• 2ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 20232Connect acquired Components Express, Inc. on November 7, 2023. 2Connect (Hong Kong) Limited serves as CEI's Asian Office providing sourcing and operations support.
• Stemmer ImagingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStemmer Imaging serves as CEI's primary European distributor with multiple country-specific offices including Germany, Austria, UK, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and others. Formerly known as Phase 1 Technology Corp in the US.
• Clearview ImagingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClearview Imaging serves as CEI's distributor in the United Kingdom and France, providing local sales and support for machine vision cable products.
• Cooper VisionregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooper Vision serves as CEI's Canadian distributor, providing local sales and support for machine vision and industrial cable products.
• Luster LightTechregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuster LightTech Group serves as CEI's distributor in China, providing local sales and support for machine vision cable products.
• Edvantek Pte LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdvantek serves as CEI's distributor in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, providing Southeast Asia coverage.
• Adept TurnkeyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdept Turnkey serves as CEI's distributor in Australia and New Zealand, providing local sales and support for machine vision cable products.
• Aegis Electronic GroupregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAegis Electronic Group serves as CEI's US distributor, providing sales and support for machine vision cable products.
• AIC Inc.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAIC Inc. serves as CEI's distributor in Japan, providing local sales and support for machine vision cable products.
• InfaimonregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInfaimon serves as CEI's distributor across Latin America including Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and South American countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
• DataMaxminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCEI is a DataMax 6E Assembler Partner, trained to produce Category 6 patch cords that are 100% tested to full TIA/EIA-568-B requirements using Fluke Networks testing equipment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Molex: One of the world's largest connector and cable assembly manufacturers with industrial, data communications, and medical product lines; competes with CEI in custom cable assemblies, industrial Ethernet, and OEM camera/equipment cabling.
• TE Connectivity: Global industrial connectivity giant producing M12/M8 connectors, industrial Ethernet cabling, and custom cable assemblies for factory automation — directly comparable to CEI's industrial cable portfolio at much larger scale.
• Phoenix Contact: Global manufacturer of industrial connectivity including M8 and M12 circular connectors, sensor/actuator cabling, and patch panels — directly overlapping CEI's industrial I/O and ruggedized connectivity lines while serving a much broader industrial automation portfolio.
• Amphenol: Diversified manufacturer of electronic connectors, cable assemblies, and interconnect systems serving industrial, automotive, medical, and networking markets; overlaps CEI in ruggedized connectors, coaxial assemblies, and custom medical/industrial cables.

Direct peers

• Northwire (NWI): US-based custom cable manufacturer serving industrial, medical, and defense markets with engineered cable and assembly solutions; mirrors CEI's vertical integration capabilities, low minimums, and CNC-driven custom work.
• L-com (Infinite Electronics): Manufacturer and distributor of connectors, adapters, and specialty cables for industrial, networking, and data communications — directly comparable to CEI's custom cable, coaxial, fiber, and patch cord offerings via a similar configurator-driven catalog model.
• Axon' Cable: Custom cable and interconnect manufacturer serving industrial, medical, defense, and aerospace markets with engineered flat, coaxial, and high-speed data cables; comparable to CEI in precision custom assemblies for high-reliability verticals.
• Cicoil: Specialty manufacturer of flat and custom cable assemblies for motion control, medical, and industrial automation — comparable niche custom-cable positioning to CEI, particularly in mission-critical signal and medical applications.
• Binder (Franz Binder GmbH + Co. KG): Specialist in circular connectors including M5, M8, and M12 industrial series plus custom overmolded cable assemblies; competes head-to-head with CEI's UL-listed M12 and M8 industrial I/O cable lines.
• SAB Bröckskes: European specialty cable and cable assembly manufacturer focused on industrial automation, medical, and high-flex applications; competes with CEI in custom industrial and medical cable programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCldPzpsoU2BKzeKAXUGYlqw
• Xx.com/componentsex
• Facebookfacebook.com/Componentsexpress

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Components Express