Heard in the Channel: Mouser boosts China business; America II touts blended distribution model

Mouser Electronics recently announced the addition of local currency transactions to its China Web site. The distributor is now conducting online transactions in the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) and is accepting UnionPay’s China Pay e-payment service. The actions represent a step toward more seamless transactions and streamlined logistics throughout Asia, the company says.

The Renminbi is the official currency of the People’s Republic of China, and China UnionPay (CUP) is China’s government-backed inter-bank transfer network and Chinese bank card organization.

The addition of the RMB and UnionPay will accelerate Mouser’s growth in China—especially by making Web transactions easier on www.mouser.com, company officials added.

Mouser began accepting RMB in late 2011 for sales conducted with its Shanghai branch. Full acceptance throughout the site allows even more customers to purchase in their local currency and pay online with China’s e-payment service.

“By securing permissions from China to trade with the Renminbi, we are now able to fully support the China market rather than only those customers trading in U.S. Dollars,” Mark Burr-Lonnon, Mouser’s vice president of APAC business, said in a prepared statement. “For design engineers and buyers in China, this will mean faster, better customer service for customs and delivery. This positions Mouser as a serious player within the Chinese market.”

In other news, large independent distributor America II Electronics announced this month that it now does business direct with nearly 400 manufacturers, continuing its effort to develop a “blended distribution model” in which the company sources from both the open market and original component manufacturers.

“We’re adapting to the needs of our customers,” said Dan Bisaillon, America II’s chief operating officer.“We still do all the things that made us a successful independent distributor, such as offering asset recovery through excess purchasing programs and supply chain management services. But we’re also buying direct from manufacturers and continuing to sign authorized distribution agreements. We’re finding the right balance between independent and franchise distribution to meet the needs of our customers.”

More News

Other distributors and industry sources announced new strategic moves recently:

· Arrow Electronics will close its location in Stockholm, Sweden this month; the company will now serve the Swedish market from The Netherlands. In other news, Arrow and Lockheed Martin announced a new procurement agreement covering more than 22,000 electronic components used in advanced technology systems such as missiles, satellites, radar systems, tactical fighter aircraft and unmanned surveillance systems.

· Mouser Electronics added to its design resources online with a new industrial applications site focused on building automation and industrial controls.

· Future Electronics’ Future Lighting Solutions group announced the launch of a new Web-based applications page, highlighting various system solutions for LED lighting.

· Distributor TLC Electronics announced the promotion of Matt Bushaw to account manager for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in northeastern Minnesota and a portion of Wisconsin, including the Madison and Milwaukee area. Bushaw will be responsible for account sales and service in the region.

· Industry analyst firm IHS Inc. signed an agreement to purchase engineering search engine GlobalSpec, Inc. for $135 million.

And here’s a look at some of the latest new and expanded distribution agreements:

· All American Semiconductor has been appointed the national distributor for Lite-On Semiconductor Corporation, which provides total power management solutions.

· Allied Electronics signed a distribution agreement with Flir Systems Inc., which designs, manufactures and markets sensor systems that enhance perception and awareness.

· East Coast Microwave Distributors (ECM) signed a new agreement to stock and distribute IF Engineering’s (IFE) line of VHF, L-Band and Broad Band Power Dividers, Couplers, Transformers and new line of Switches.

· Mouser Electronics expanded its agreement with Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions, adding the Vitelec product line to Mouser’s line of connectivity solutions.  Mouser also signed a global distribution deal with TDK-Lambda covering the manufacturer's ranges of AC/DC power supplies and DC/DC converters.

· Premier Farnell expanded its ARM relationship with the launch of two ARM Cortex-M processor-based STM32 series Development Kits.

· TTI signed a global distribution agreement with Cooper Bussmann to distribute the Martek Power/Abbott military power management product portfolio.

Events
Don’t miss these upcoming industry events:

Connectors, Cable Assemblies and Optical Transceivers for High-Speed I/O Applications Up to 150 Gbps
Pre-recorded online QuikCast, presented by TTI, FCI, and Electronic Design
On demand until Aug. 6

ProcureCon 2012
October 15-17, 2012
Atlanta

ECIA Executive Conference
October 28-30, 2012
Chicago

Electronica 2012
November 13-16, 2012
Munich