Automation isn’t a trend anymore—it’s the battleground in manufacturing. As OEMs across the globe look to shorten supply chains and bring component manufacturing closer to home, automation has stepped to the forefront. It’s no longer just about streamlining production. It’s about survival, scale, and flexibility. At the center of it all is the humble connector.
Wiring Harness News sat down with Owen Israelsen, Director of Sales, and Rob Luciano, Product Manager, at Sealcon—a company known for producing cable glands, enclosures, adapters, conduits, and connectors for high-demand environments. The conversation focused on Sealcon’s role in the automation space, how their connector lines are evolving, and why reliability still trumps novelty.
“The automation world moves fast,” Owen said. “But it can’t afford failure. That’s the balance we help our customers strike—innovation without sacrificing durability.”
Sealcon isn’t just dropping components into catalogs and hoping for the best. They’ve leaned into automation-ready designs by providing everything from modular connectors for rapid integration to IP-rated solutions that survive long after the factory floor is reconfigured.
“A lot of customers are looking for plug-and-play,” Rob explained. “It’s about making sure our connectors can handle the job right away with no complex assembly, no excessive part counts, and no gray areas in terms of protection.”
That protection piece is critical. With more automation comes more exposure to vibration, moisture, oils, and temperature extremes. Sealcon’s cable glands and metric modular circular connectors offer ingress protection and strain relief in one shot. This eliminates the need for excessive sealing solutions and minimizing failure points.
“It’s really about risk mitigation,” Rob said. “These machines are running 24/7. One weak link can shut down a whole line. Our goal is to make sure our products never play that role.”
Nylon Strain Relief/Cable Gland (HSK-K Series), for example, offers NEMA 4x & 6 (IP69K), withstanding 150 PSIG (10 BAR) ratings. V0 Flame rated, Phosphorous Free (Non-Toxic), Non-Corrosive against salt water, weak acids & alkalis, alcohol, etc. Designed for anti-vibration. Its concentric overlapping clamping splines, provide exemplary pull-out resistance. The patented molded O-ring groove help insure a liquid tight seal between Fitting & Installation. Truly one of the best robust solutions when looking how to connect your cable & wire to your application needs. Sealcon has over 6000+ different types, styles and sizes to accommodate your everyday needs.
Their modular M40, M27, M23, M16 and M12 connectors are designed for quick-change tooling and robotic integration. Everything is UL- and CSA-certified, and many products meet international standards for both industrial and harsh-environment deployment.
“We’re finding that customers want flexibility in connector layouts without giving up reliability,” Owen added. “That’s why we’ve invested in modularity. It’s not just about what the connector looks like. It’s what it can do across multiple installations.”
Part of Sealcon’s value proposition lies in support. Owen and Rob both emphasized that automation clients aren’t just looking for parts—they’re looking for guidance. The sales and engineering teams at Sealcon often work hand-in-hand with OEMs to spec out connectors that meet exact application needs.
“Sometimes what the customer asks for isn’t really what they need,” Owen noted. “We help them get to the right solution, even if it means looking beyond our own catalog. That’s how we earn repeat business.”
Automation is spreading across multiple industries. From food processing to semiconductor manufacturing, Sealcon continues to adapt. The company recently added conduit solutions and hybrid cable assemblies to its portfolio, addressing both protection and power/data integration in a single package.
“A lot of facilities want to simplify cabling and speed up maintenance,” Rob said. “Hybrid assemblies are one answer. But again, you can’t cut corners. Our job is to make sure those shortcuts don’t come at the cost of uptime.”
Sealcon’s catalog may look familiar, but beneath the surface, it’s been steadily evolving with automation in mind. Every click-lock, every seal, every conductor count—it’s all being rethought in terms of adaptability, longevity, and ease of service.
“You can have the best automation system in the world,” Owen said. “But if your connectors can’t keep up, you’ll still be down. We try to be the last thing anyone worries about and that takes hard work.”
In a sector defined by speed, Sealcon is betting on something a little more timeless: trust, performance, and smart engineering. And that’s a bet most automation-driven OEMs are willing to take.
