Tim Minnick, R&D Manager and Product Development Engineer
The TechCon 2019 Patent of the Year Award went to Timothy Minnick and his Pennsylvania-based team’s STRADA Whisper product, a connector that can be found in the server farms of the world’s largest telecommunications and Big Tech companies, storing, switching and pushing out immense loads of data at high speeds in the form of videos or social media posts. When they originally hit the market, these connectors were smaller, faster and denser than any of the alternatives, enabling 25G speeds before any of TE’s competitors. This innovation is projected to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in sales to TE. Though Tim and his team have earned one of TE’s highest innovation honors, they’re not done yet. Their success, coupled with what Tim describes as a work environment that encourages thinking outside the box and applying that thinking to leading edge product development, has driven the product’s next generation (the STRADA Whisper Absolute product family), which will enable data center speeds up to and exceeding 112G.
“The culture at TE Connectivity encourages each employee to share, challenge and brainstorm the next big product enhancement, process improvement or technical capability,” Minnick says. “We’re always working on that next big breakthrough, looking forward to the next generation and putting in place the tools and techniques necessary to be best-in-class. Compounded by this mindset, TE’s wealth of talented engineers, equipment, materials and relationships provides an immense resource pool that enables its employees to fully engage in true state-of-the-art development.”
Frances Tallant, Import/Export Analyst
It might be best to start with a comment we received from an individual employee about her experience working at TE. A 33-year career veteran who has worked for three other very large organizations prior to TE, Supply Chain Analyst Fran Tallant says TE presents the most inclusive environment in which she has ever worked.
“I can honestly say that TE has the most welcoming culture for its employees. Everyone is invited to the table. My colleagues throughout the world are all attentive, responsive and intelligent.”
Fran’s comments show the individual impact of TE’s commitment to a safe, diverse and inclusive work environment to allow creativity, collaboration and innovation to flourish. The company is built on the core values of integrity, accountability, teamwork and innovation.
Alessandro Genta, Sr. R&D/Product Development Engineering Manager
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Tim Minnick, Manager of R&D/Product Development Engineering
When Tim first started working for TE (AMP) in 1994, we were designing 25 Mbps systems. Now, in 2020, we're optimizing products for 224 Gbps systems. Over the past 26 years, data rates we support and the information transfer we enable has increased approximately 10,000 times! TE's 2019 Patent of the Year Award went to Timothy Minnick and his Pennsylvania-based team’s STRADA Whisper product, a connector that can be found in the server farms of the world’s largest telecommunications and Big Tech companies, storing, switching and pushing out immense loads of data at high speeds. Though Tim and his team have earned one of TE’s highest innovation honors, they’re not done yet. Their success, coupled with what Tim describes as a work environment that encourages thinking outside the box and applying that thinking to leading edge product development, has driven the product’s next generation. (the STRADA Whisper Absolute product family)
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Fran Tallant, Supply Chain Analyst/International Trade Compliance
Fran, a 33-year career veteran who has worked for three other very large organizations prior to TE, says TE presents the most inclusive environment in which she has ever worked. For any company to sustain itself in today’s marketplace, it must play in the international arena. To do so is not a simple task. Fran has acquired her knowledge and expertise of international trade compliance by working across several industries. Surrounded by intelligent, mindful, and innovative colleagues, Fran is developing a process for our Sensors business that will ensure compliant trade and expedite goods throughout the Supply Chain. Fran holds a B.S. in Accounting from Montclair State University, as well as a US Customs Broker’s license issued by the Department of Homeland Security, and is also a Certified Export Specialist as designated by the NCBFAA (National Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder Association).
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Alessandro Genta, Sr. Manager of R&D/Product Development, Automotive
Alessandro leads our Automotive Product Development team based in Collegno, Turin Italy and has been working at TE since 1996. He started his professional career as an expat in Brazil for Olivetti in the production plant developing mechatronics products such as calculators, machines and printers. He reminds us that sometimes, innovation can even start in the home. He was at home feeding his dog, Trudi, a cylindrical snack when a light bulb went off. He noticed how well she was able to grip and hold the snack between her jaws. And from that moment, Alessandro went on to develop a gasket, fashioned after Trudi’s chompers, that can firmly keep wires in their place. He was comfortable in bringing this idea that sprouted in his living room to the lab here at TE, since we care about the value of the idea however it originated.
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Benny Zhu, Maintenance Mechanic
Meet Benny Zhu, a Maintenance Technician for over 10 years, who recently joined TE as the result of an acquisition. For years under his previous employer, Benny would use an open blade to make precise tube cuts. But TE has a strict safety policy that bans open blades on the plant floor. Tapping into his newly found culture of innovation at TE, Benny immediately began designing a fixture that eliminated the need for an open blade without compromising the precision of the cut. Benny’s creation has been shared with TE employees as a best practice and the company is actively encouraging its adoption in other plants. We look forward to the next great idea from the innovators working on our factory floors.
“The culture at TE encourages each employee to share, challenge and brainstorm the next big product enhancement, process improvement or technical capability. We’re always working on that next big breakthrough, looking forward to the next generation and putting in place the tools and techniques necessary to be best-in-class. Compounded by this mindset, TE’s wealth of talented engineers, equipment, materials and relationships provides an immense resource pool that enables its employees to fully engage in true state-of-the-art development.” - Tim Minnick
OUR INNOVATION
“At TE, we keep the supply chain moving forward at all times through innovation and all-inclusive teamwork. Everyone is invited to the table. My colleagues throughout the world are attentive, responsive and intelligent.” - Fran Tallant
"TE's innovation strategy presents many interesting challenges. I always look forward to exploring new ideas and improving manufacturing processes with my team." - Benny Zhu
OUR KNOWLEDGE
"TE is a technologically-driven company with a lot of experience and capabilities on core technologies for connectivity. We're continuously changing, adapting and synthesizing to evolve our science and technology, while innovating new ways of working together. Respect, inclusion and listening are fundamental to our personal and TE's success. We're part of a huge global network where technical knowledge, experience and new ideas are shared and produced by everyone - there are no barriers!" - Alessandro Genta