In a move that expands its business with aerospace and defense customers, Avnet announced last week that it signed an agreement to purchase Florida-based USI Electronics. The distributor of discrete semiconductor, passive and electromechanical components will become part of Avnet Electronics Marketing, Americas; the deal is expected to close by early January.
“This acquisition is of strategic importance as it enhances our competitive position in the higher value defense and aerospace segment,” said Ed Smith, president of Avnet EM, Americas. “USI is a respected leader and established player in the space with a strong emphasis on providing business partners a best-in-class experience. Their value proposition complements our strategy as we extend our leading position in serving the electronic component needs of this vital segment.”
In other electronics industry news, the Electronic Components Industry Association named John Denslinger president and CEO, effective January 1. ECIA was formed 2 years ago by the merger of the Electronic Components Association and the National Electronics Distributors Association into one association representing the electronic components industry. Denslinger will guide ECIA through the final stages of combining the two groups into one, working with ECIA’s Robin Gray, who will continue as the association’s COO, the association said.
Denslinger is a 40-year veteran of the electronic component industry, spending much of that time with Murata Electronics, one of the largest manufacturers of passive components in the world. An industrial engineer by training, Denslinger has managed everything from manufacturing plants in Mexico to sales and marketing. Prior to retiring from Murata earlier this year, he was president of SyChip, Murata’s wireless solutions business, and before that he was executive vice president of sales and marketing.
In other news:
- Allied Electronics received the Carlo Gavazzi Distribution Recognition Award from Carlo Gavazzi Automation Components. The distributor was recognized for increasing Carlo Gavazzi sales 12% over the previous year.
- Avnet Inc. promoted chief global logistics officer Gerry Fay to vice president and elected associate general counsel Mike McCoy to the corporate officer position of assistant secretary.
- Avnet Electronics Marketing and Amphenol Corp. marked the 55th anniversary of their franchise agreement this month.
- Heilind Electronics announced the opening of Heilind Asia. With headquarters in Hong Kong, the distributor also operates a distribution center and value-added center there, with additional offices in Suzhou, China; Dongguan City, China; and Singapore.
- Newark element14 announced the launch of its industrial automation microsite, providing industrial engineers with design tools, technical information and access to the latest products and services for industrial and plant maintenance applications.
- TTI Inc. boosted its suite of mobile applications this month with the introduction of an update to its Andriod app, which includes new functionality that allows customers to do a quick and easy part search by scanning part number barcodes. The distributor also announced its “12 Days of Missions” social media contest; fans of TTI’s online series The Specialist can join in a series of games via the company’s Facebook, Twitter and other outlets towin fun prizes like James Bond DVD gift sets, Mission Impossible 4-pack DVD sets, and Specialist-themed goodie bags.
And in other industry headlines, distributors announced the following new agreements:
- Digi-Key signed a global distribution agreement with integrated power IC solution provider Enpirion.
- Future Electronics signed a global distribution agreement with Intersil, maker ofhigh-performance analog, mixed signal and power management semiconductors.
- Newark element14 announced it now stocks ON Semiconductor’s complete offering of motor drive ICs
Events
Don’t miss these upcoming industry events:
23rd Annual North American Research Symposium on Purchasing and Supply ChainManagement (NARS)
March 14-15, 2013
Phoenix/Chandler, AZ
CARTS International
March 25-28
Houston
EDS 2013
May 6-9
Las Vegas
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