Volex, the AIM-listed power and data cable specialist, has announced it has acquired the remaining 51% stake in Kepler Signaltek for $89.4m (£69.2m), giving it full ownership of the US-based manufacturer. The deal, which was funded from existing cash and debt facilities, values the entire business at approximately $175m.
Kepler Signaltek, headquartered in New Hampshire, designs and assembles high-reliability cable harnesses and interconnect systems used in data centres, defence electronics, medical devices and industrial automation. Volex initially bought a 49% stake in the company in 2021 as part of its strategy to expand into higher-margin, technically complex connectivity solutions.
Volex said the acquisition would be immediately accretive to earnings per share and would strengthen its presence in North America, which now accounts for a growing share of group revenue. The company noted that Kepler's order book had grown significantly over the past year, driven by demand for AI-related data centre infrastructure and defence modernisation programmes.
Analysts at Peel Hunt described the deal as 'strategically logical', adding that full ownership allows Volex to integrate Kepler's engineering capabilities more deeply and capture the full benefit of rising demand for high-speed data transmission. Kepler's margins are understood to be above the Volex group average, making the transaction likely to improve overall profitability.
For UK investors and pension holders with exposure to AIM stocks or smaller-cap funds, the deal underscores the trend of British-listed industrial firms acquiring US technology assets to tap into faster-growing end markets. Volex shares have risen by around 12% year-to-date, supported by robust demand in the data centre and electric vehicle supply chains.