When Analog Devices struck its $14.8 billion deal for Linear Technology, it was left with over 66,000 thousand questions. That is roughly the number of products that the electronics distributor Digi-Key stocks on its website from both companies. It is still not clear which products will survive the deal.
But distributors like Digi-Key are starting to make internal changes to how Analog Devices' products are sold. Digi-Key recently integrated its product portfolio with that of Linear Technology to reflect the deal, which closed last month. David Stein, Digi-Key’s global semiconductor vice president, said that the distributor has a “strong stocking position” with both suppliers.
“We’ve had long-standing, successful relationships with both Analog Devices and Linear Technology for many years which enable us to help our customers understand their extensive product portfolios,” Stein said. “Acquisitions and mergers often improve the breadth of availability,” he added.
The change is mostly internal. For now, online buyers will notice few changes on Digi-Key’s website, which stocks over 28,000 Linear Technology analog semiconductor products and around 38,400 parts from Analog Devices. Both companies still have separate web pages on the distributor’s site.
Analog Devices has already moved to avert confusion by holding onto Linear Technology’s brand for its power management business. It framed the deal as a significant push into markets for cars and factory equipment, where Linear Technology has had huge profit margins for years.
