The story of Northern Connectors – Passion, Expertise and Loyalty
Northern Connectors was established over 40 years ago by husband and wife team Keith and Linda Hewitt. From humble beginnings trading from a small unit in St. Helens with initially just one connector distribution agreement in place for Burndy, the business has grown to become a celebrated and successful company which represents many of the industry’s leading connector manufacturers.
Northern Connectors remains a family run business with both first and second generation now involved in the day to day running of the company. The passion and expertise that runs throughout Northern Connectors is a key element to the Company’s success and has led to many long-standing, excellent relationships with suppliers and customers alike.
1980s
The Foundation
1983
Northern Connectors Supplies & Services established, with Burndy as the first authorised distribution partner.
1988
Expanded premises from 500 to 1,000 ft².
1989
Became a Limited Company.
1990s
Growth & Recognition
1990
Signed distribution agreement with Radiall.
1988
Moved to new purpose-built 3,000 ft² premises on Abbotsfield Road,
St. Helens.
Celebrated 10 years in the electronics industry and with Burndy.
Received ‘Outstanding Sales Performance and Growth’ award from FCI.
1994
Official opening of new premises by Regional Director, Government Office for Merseyside.
1995
Achieved ISO 9001:2000 accreditation.
1996
Signed distribution agreement with Weidmüller.
1997
Won CIE/ECIF ‘Excellence in Distribution’ award.
1998
Signed distribution agreement with HARTING.Received multiple awards:
FCI – ‘15 Years Loyalty & Success’
Park Air Electronics – ‘Supplier of the Year’
1999
Radiall award for ‘Fastest Growing Distributor for RF Connectors’.
Signed distribution agreement with Alpha Wire.
2000s
Expanding Partnerships
2000
Celebrated 10 years with Radiall.
Signed agreements with Hirschmann and PMA.
2001
Signed distribution agreement with binder.
2002
Won ‘Specialist Distributor of the Year’ from HARTING.
Awarded Kanban contract by Alstom Traction.
2003
Celebrated 20 years in electronics and with Souriau.
Won HARTING Distributor of the Year (2nd time).
2005 – 2006
Souriau awards: VAD assembly for UTO (2005) and UTS (2006) series.
Celebrated 10 years with Weidmüller (2006).
Signed distribution agreement with CONEC (2006).
2007 – 2008
Partnered with Lumberg Automation.
Celebrated 10 years with HARTING.
Became authorised distributor for HUMMEL.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (3rd time).
2009
Celebrated 10 years with Alpha Wire
2010s
Growth & Recognition
2010 – 2011
Celebrated 10 years with Hirschmann and 20 with Radiall.
Celebrated 10 years with binder (2011).
HARTING Distributor of the Year (4th time).
2012
Achieved ‘Preferred Distribution Partner – Gold Status’ with both Hirschmann and Lumberg Automation.
2013
Celebrated 30 years in electronics and with Souriau.
binder awarded ‘Top Performing Distributor’.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (5th time).
2014 – 2015
Became distribution partner for Mennekes.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (6th and 7th times).
2016 – 2017
Celebrated milestones:
10 years with CONEC (2016)
20 years with Weidmüller (2016)
10 years with Lumberg Automation (2017)
Achieved ISO 9001:2015 accreditation.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (8th time).
2018 – 2019
Celebrated 20 years with HARTING (2018).
HARTING Distributor of the Year (9th time).
2020s
Modern Milestones
2020-2021
Celebrated 30 years with Radiall.
Celebrated 20 years with binder (2011).
2022
Achieved Premier Distribution Partner status from Belden for Hirschmann & Lumberg Automation brands.
2023
Celebrated 40 years in the electronics industry.
1980s
The Foundation
1983
Northern Connectors Supplies & Services established, with Burndy as the first authorised distribution partner.
1988
Expanded premises from 500 to 1,000 ft².
1989
Became a Limited Company.
1990s
Growth & Recognition
1990
Signed distribution agreement with Radiall.
1988
Moved to new purpose-built 3,000 ft² premises on Abbotsfield Road,
St. Helens.
Celebrated 10 years in the electronics industry and with Burndy.
Received ‘Outstanding Sales Performance and Growth’ award from FCI.
1994
Official opening of new premises by Regional Director, Government Office for Merseyside.
1995
Achieved ISO 9001:2000 accreditation.
1996
Signed distribution agreement with Weidmüller.
1997
Won CIE/ECIF ‘Excellence in Distribution’ award.
1998
Signed distribution agreement with HARTING.Received multiple awards:
FCI – ‘15 Years Loyalty & Success’
Park Air Electronics – ‘Supplier of the Year’
1999
Radiall award for ‘Fastest Growing Distributor for RF Connectors’.
Signed distribution agreement with Alpha Wire.
2000s
Expanding Partnerships
2000
Celebrated 10 years with Radiall.
Signed agreements with Hirschmann and PMA.
2001
Signed distribution agreement with binder.
2002
Won ‘Specialist Distributor of the Year’ from HARTING.
Awarded Kanban contract by Alstom Traction.
2003
Celebrated 20 years in electronics and with Souriau.
Won HARTING Distributor of the Year (2nd time).
2005 – 2006
Souriau awards: VAD assembly for UTO (2005) and UTS (2006) series.
Celebrated 10 years with Weidmüller (2006).
Signed distribution agreement with CONEC (2006).
2007 – 2008
Partnered with Lumberg Automation.
Celebrated 10 years with HARTING.
Became authorised distributor for HUMMEL.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (3rd time).
2009
Celebrated 10 years with Alpha Wire
2010s
Growth & Recognition
2010 – 2011
Celebrated 10 years with Hirschmann and 20 with Radiall.
Celebrated 10 years with binder (2011).
HARTING Distributor of the Year (4th time).
2012
Achieved ‘Preferred Distribution Partner – Gold Status’ with both Hirschmann and Lumberg Automation.
2013
Celebrated 30 years in electronics and with Souriau.
binder awarded ‘Top Performing Distributor’.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (5th time).
2014 – 2015
Became distribution partner for Mennekes.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (6th and 7th times).
2016 – 2017
Celebrated milestones:
10 years with CONEC (2016)
20 years with Weidmüller (2016)
10 years with Lumberg Automation (2017)
Achieved ISO 9001:2015 accreditation.
HARTING Distributor of the Year (8th time).
2018 – 2019
Celebrated 20 years with HARTING (2018).
HARTING Distributor of the Year (9th time).
2020s
Modern Milestones
2020-2021
Celebrated 30 years with Radiall.
Celebrated 20 years with binder (2011).
2022
Achieved Premier Distribution Partner status from Belden for Hirschmann & Lumberg Automation brands.
2023
Celebrated 40 years in the electronics industry.
About Northern Connectors
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