Flex Ltd.

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Flex, formerly Flextronics, is a global electronics manufacturing and supply-chain services company.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

Flex Ltd. is a Singapore-domiciled multinational electronics manufacturing services and original design manufacturing company whose U.S. corporate headquarters are in Austin, Texas. The company designs, engineers, manufactures, distributes, and services products and components for brand-owning companies rather than primarily selling finished goods under its own consumer label. Its work spans consumer electronics, communications infrastructure, healthcare and medical devices, automotive, industrial equipment, cloud and data-center hardware, and renewable-energy systems. The business began in 1969 as Flextronics, Inc., founded by Joe and Barbara-Ann McKenzie. It initially operated as an electronics manufacturing company and later developed into a large outsourced-production partner for technology brands. In 1990, the company adopted the name Flextronics International Ltd. and relocated its domicile to Singapore. Venture investment from Sequoia Capital in 1993 helped support its expansion, and the company returned to public ownership in 1994. Flex grew both organically and through acquisitions. A major turning point came in 2007, when it agreed to acquire Solectron for approximately $3.6 billion. The transaction was completed later that year and substantially increased Flextronics' manufacturing footprint, customer base, and capabilities in complex electronics production. The company also acquired the Dii Group in 1999, bringing in operations that later became relevant to a contract dispute with Beckman Coulter. Its manufacturing network has included facilities in more than 30 countries and has supported products ranging from televisions and personal computers to medical equipment, telecommunications systems, electric motorcycles, connected-home devices, solar trackers, and high-performance computing hardware. The company has served major technology and industrial customers, including Apple, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Brammo, Fitbit, and Huawei, although customer relationships and specific production contracts have changed over time. Flex has also pursued activities beyond traditional factory production. In 2012 it incubated Elementum, a supply-chain-management software venture, which was separated as an independent company in 2014. In 2015 it acquired the solar-tracking company Nextracker, then known as Nextpower, and purchased the Wink smart-home platform. Flex later sold Wink to i.am+ in 2017. These transactions reflected an effort to participate in design, software, energy infrastructure, and connected products as well as assembly. The company changed its corporate name from Flextronics to Flex in July 2015. The shorter name was intended to represent a broader business offering that included product design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and after-market services. In December 2018, Michael M. McNamara resigned as chief executive officer, and Revathi Advaithi became CEO in February 2019. Under Advaithi, Flex has continued to position itself as a diversified manufacturing and supply-chain partner serving industries with complex regulatory, engineering, and production requirements. Flex's business model is primarily business-to-business. It generally earns revenue from manufacturing, engineering, supply-chain, logistics, and related services performed for other companies. Its competitive proposition rests on global scale, manufacturing expertise, supplier management, regional production capacity, engineering resources, and the ability to transfer programs among facilities. The company remains an active global electronics manufacturing services provider, while its facilities and operations remain exposed to geopolitical tensions, tariffs, customer concentration, component shortages, regulatory requirements, and disruptions affecting manufacturing sites.

History

Flex traces its origins to 1969, when Joe and Barbara-Ann McKenzie founded Flextronics, Inc. The enterprise developed in the expanding market for outsourced electronics production, in which brand owners transferred some manufacturing, assembly, and supply-chain activities to specialized partners. Over time, Flextronics expanded its capabilities from factory assembly into engineering, procurement, logistics, product introduction, and lifecycle support. In 1990, the company changed its name to Flextronics International Ltd. and moved its corporate domicile to Singapore. Sequoia Capital provided venture funding in 1993, and Flextronics became publicly held again in 1994. The company expanded internationally through new facilities and acquisitions, including the 1999 purchase of the Dii Group. By the end of the 1990s and into the 2000s, it had become a significant global electronics manufacturing services provider. IndustryWeek ranked it third in its 2000 list of best-managed companies. A defining expansion occurred in 2007. Flextronics offered to acquire Solectron for about $3.6 billion, and the transaction was completed by the end of October. Solectron became a Flextronics subsidiary, adding manufacturing capacity, customers, and technical resources. In the following years, Flextronics won or expanded programs for companies in consumer electronics, communications, medical technology, and industrial markets. It manufactured LG television receivers in Mexico, entered a production relationship with Brammo for electric motorcycles, and signed a European manufacturing arrangement with Lenovo. Flextronics also explored adjacent technology businesses. It incubated Elementum, a supply-chain-management software company, in 2012; Elementum was separated from Flextronics in 2014. In the same period, Flextronics manufactured Apple's Mac Pro in Texas. The company was also named as the manufacturer associated with the Fitbit Force recall in 2014, after reports that the wearable device caused skin irritation. In 2015, Flextronics adopted the shorter corporate name Flex. That year it acquired Nextpower, subsequently known as Nextracker, for approximately $330 million, extending its activities into solar-energy infrastructure. It also acquired the Wink smart-home platform in November. Flex had previously supplied Wink hardware and firmware, including the Wink Hub and Wink Relay. The company sold Wink to i.am+ in 2017 for approximately $38.7 million. Leadership changed at the end of the decade. Michael M. McNamara resigned as CEO on December 31, 2018, and Revathi Advaithi was announced as his successor in February 2019. The company has continued to operate as a large, globally distributed manufacturing and supply-chain partner, with production and service activities in more than 30 countries and exposure to industries including communications, healthcare, automotive, industrial technology, consumer electronics, cloud infrastructure, and renewable energy. Flex's history also includes operational and legal controversies. Beckman Coulter sued over an alleged contract breach connected to circuit-board production after Flex acquired the relevant Dii Group operation; the dispute ended with a reported $23 million payment by Flextronics. A former executive pleaded guilty in a case involving the disclosure of confidential shipment data related to USB chargers for iPhones and iPods. In 2019, amid U.S. restrictions on Huawei, Flex reportedly retained Huawei-related equipment, materials, and unfinished products at its Zhuhai facility for a period before some assets were recovered through third parties. In 2025, a Flex facility in Mukachevo, Ukraine, was reported to have suffered extensive damage in a Russian airstrike, illustrating the vulnerability of globally distributed manufacturing networks to geopolitical and security events.

2019
Revathi Advaithi became CEO
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Revathi Advaithi succeeded Michael M. McNamara as chief executive officer.
2015
Adopted the Flex name
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
The company changed its name from Flextronics to Flex.
2015
Adopted the Flex name and entered solar tracking through acquisition
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
The company changed its name from Flextronics to Flex and acquired Nextpower, later known as Nextracker, for approximately $330 million.
2015
Rebranded as Flex
[4]Flex newsroomflex.com
Flextronics International Ltd. changed its corporate name to Flex Ltd. and repositioned the business around broader product lifecycle and technology services.
2014
Elementum spun off
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Elementum became a separate company.
2012
Incubated Elementum
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Flextronics incubated Elementum, a supply-chain-management software company.
2007
Acquired Solectron and Michael McNamara became CEO
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Flextronics completed its approximately $3.6 billion acquisition of Solectron, creating a substantially larger EMS platform. Flextronics completed its approximately $3.6 billion acquisition of Solectron, creating a substantially larger EMS platform, and Michael McNamara became chief executive officer during a period in which the company continued expanding its global manufacturing and supply-chain platform.
1999
Acquired the Dii Group
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
The acquisition expanded Flextronics' operating base and later became relevant to a contract dispute with Beckman Coulter.
1994
Returned to public ownership and acquired Interflex
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Flextronics became a publicly held company again, and its acquisition of Singapore-based Interflex helped accelerate its Asian manufacturing presence.
1993
Sequoia Capital provided venture funding
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
The company received venture capital support from Sequoia Capital during its international expansion.
1990
Corporate name and domicile changed
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
The company became Flextronics International Ltd. and moved its domicile to Singapore.
1969
Flextronics founded
[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Joe and Barbara-Ann McKenzie founded Flextronics, Inc., establishing the business that later became Flex Ltd.
1969
Company founded in Silicon Valley
[2]Flex company overviewflex.com
Joe Sullivan founded Flextronics as a printed-circuit-board manufacturing business serving electronics companies.

Products and positioning

A global business-to-business electronics manufacturing, product lifecycle, and supply-chain partner for technology and industrial companies.

Core manufacturing service · 1969
Electronics manufacturing services
Flex provides outsourced production for electronic products and systems. Services can include component sourcing, printed circuit board assembly, systems integration, testing, packaging, and production transfer. The company generally manufactures products designed or specified by customers in consumer, communications, healthcare, automotive, industrial, and cloud markets rather than marketing a broad portfolio of finished products under the Flex name. The company manufactures printed-circuit-board assemblies, electronic subassemblies, and complete systems for customers in technology, communications, industrial, automotive, healthcare, and consumer markets. Production can include assembly, integration, testing, packaging, and regional distribution.
Engineering service
Design and engineering services
The company supports customers from early product definition through design, prototyping, industrialization, testing, and volume production. These capabilities allow brand owners to outsource parts of the product-development process as well as factory operations, particularly for products requiring complex electronics, regulatory compliance, and coordinated global sourcing. Flex supports customers from product concept and industrial design through engineering validation, prototyping, testing, and preparation for volume production. These services connect design decisions with manufacturing, sourcing, compliance, and service requirements.
Supply-chain service
Supply-chain and lifecycle services
Flex offers procurement, supplier management, logistics, distribution, repair, refurbishment, and other product-lifecycle services. Its value proposition is the coordination of engineering, manufacturing, and global movement of materials and finished products across multiple regions and customer programs.
Industry solution
Communications and cloud infrastructure hardware
Flex manufactures and supports equipment used in communications networks, data centers, and cloud infrastructure. Historical programs referenced in public material include smartphone and 5G-related production for Huawei, while the broader category includes complex assemblies and systems for communications-equipment customers.
Industry solution
Healthcare and medical-device manufacturing
The healthcare offering covers electronics and assemblies used in medical devices and related equipment. Such work requires controlled manufacturing, traceability, quality systems, and compliance with sector-specific regulations. Flex's historical work for medical-device companies also included circuit-board production.
Energy equipment · 2015
Renewable-energy manufacturing
Flex expanded into renewable-energy equipment through its 2015 acquisition of Nextpower, later known as Nextracker. Solar tracking systems orient photovoltaic panels to improve energy capture. The acquisition extended Flex's role from electronics production into specialized energy-infrastructure products.
Smart-home platform · 2015
Wink connected-home platform
Wink was a connected-home platform acquired by Flex in 2015. Flex had already supplied Wink hardware and firmware, including the Wink Hub and Wink Relay. The platform was sold to i.am+ in 2017 and is therefore no longer a Flex offering.
Supply-chain services
Supply-chain solutions
Flex provides procurement, materials management, supplier coordination, planning, logistics, and inventory services. These capabilities are designed to help customers manage complex component networks and coordinate production across multiple geographies.
Product lifecycle services
Aftermarket and circular-economy services
Flex supports products after initial sale through repair, returns management, refurbishment, resale, recycling, and other end-of-life processes. These services extend product lifecycles and can help customers recover value from returned or surplus equipment.

Controversies

2025
Mukachevo facility damaged in airstrike
A Flex manufacturing site in Mukachevo, Ukraine, reportedly operating there since 2012, was extensively damaged in a Russian airstrike.
Source
2019
Huawei-related goods held during tariff and export restrictions
Reports said Flex retained Huawei production equipment, raw materials, and unfinished goods at its Zhuhai facility after the United States placed Huawei on its Entity List. The reported value was approximately 700 million yuan, and some goods were later recovered through third-party channels.
Source
2009
Confidential USB charger shipment data disclosure
A former Flextronics executive pleaded guilty to wire-fraud and securities-fraud offenses involving confidential shipment information concerning USB chargers used for U.S.-market iPhones and iPods.
Source
2001
Beckman Coulter contract dispute
Beckman Coulter sued after Flextronics acquired the Dii Group operation involved in producing circuit boards for a blood analyzer. Beckman alleged that Flextronics would not continue supplying the boards unless it purchased additional electronic components. The dispute concluded with a reported $23 million payment by Flextronics.
Source

2019
Appoint Revathi Advaithi as CEOOther
Background
Michael M. McNamara resigned as chief executive officer at the end of 2018.
Action taken
Flex appointed Revathi Advaithi, previously an Eaton executive, as CEO.
Aftermath
Advaithi became the company's chief executive and continued its positioning as a diversified global manufacturing partner.
Source
2017
Divest WinkM&A
Background
Flex reassessed its participation in the connected-home platform market.
Action taken
It sold Wink to i.am+.
Aftermath
Wink ceased to be part of Flex's portfolio.
Reported sale price. US$38.7 million (2017)
Source
2015
Rename Flextronics as FlexStrategy
Background
The company wanted its identity to reflect a broader role in design, engineering, manufacturing, and supply-chain services.
Action taken
It changed its corporate name from Flextronics to Flex.
Aftermath
Flex became the primary corporate brand while Flextronics remained an important historical name and alias.
Source
2015
Acquire NextpowerM&A
Background
Flex pursued expansion into solar-energy infrastructure and tracking systems.
Action taken
It acquired Nextpower, later known as Nextracker, for approximately $330 million.
Aftermath
The transaction added solar-tracking capabilities to Flex's manufacturing and product portfolio.
Reported acquisition price. Approximately US$330 million (2015)
Source
2015
Acquire WinkM&A
Background
Flex sought to participate more directly in connected-home hardware and software.
Action taken
It acquired the Wink smart-home platform after serving as a strategic hardware and firmware supplier.
Aftermath
Flex sold Wink to i.am+ in 2017.
Source
2015
Adopted the Flex corporate identityStrategy
Background
The company had expanded beyond traditional electronics assembly into design, engineering, supply-chain management, logistics, and product lifecycle services.
Action taken
Flextronics International Ltd. changed its corporate name to Flex Ltd. and promoted a broader technology-services positioning.
Aftermath
The company continued operating as a diversified global manufacturing and supply-chain partner under the Flex name.
Source
2007
Acquire SolectronM&A
Background
Flextronics sought to expand its scale, manufacturing footprint, and customer coverage in electronics services.
Action taken
It offered approximately $3.6 billion for Solectron and completed the acquisition later in 2007.
Aftermath
Solectron became a Flextronics subsidiary and materially enlarged the combined EMS platform.
Reported transaction value. Approximately US$3.6 billion (2007)
Source

Recent events

2019
Revathi Advaithi appointed chief executive officer[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Revathi Advaithi succeeded Michael McNamara as chief executive officer, beginning a new leadership phase for the company.
2017
Flex sold Wink to i.am+[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Flex divested the Wink connected-home platform to i.am+ for approximately $38.7 million.
2015
Company changed its name from Flextronics to Flex[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Other
The company adopted Flex as its corporate name as it broadened its positioning beyond contract assembly.
2015
Flex acquired Nextpower, later known as Nextracker[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Flex announced the acquisition of solar-tracking company Nextpower for approximately $330 million.
2015
Flextronics changes corporate name to Flex[4]Flex newsroomflex.com
Other
The company adopted Flex Ltd. as its corporate name and presented the change as part of a broader strategy centered on design, manufacturing, supply-chain management, and product lifecycle services.
2013
Flextronics began manufacturing the Mac Pro in Texas[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Product generation
Flextronics was identified as the Texas manufacturing partner for Apple's Mac Pro.
2010
Flextronics became a manufacturing partner for Brammo electric motorcycles[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Flextronics announced manufacturing and distribution cooperation with Brammo for plug-in electric motorcycles and related components.
2009
Flextronics selected to manufacture LG LCD televisions in Mexico[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
Other
The company announced that its Ciudad Juárez facility would manufacture several sizes of LG LCD television receivers for North and South American markets.
2007
Flex completes acquisition of Solectron[1]Flex Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Flextronics completed its approximately $3.6 billion acquisition of Solectron, expanding its global manufacturing and services platform.

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