Avnet announced worldwide expansion recently, acquiring German distributor Altron GmbH, making an offer to purchase Japan-based distributor Internix, and opening a new technology integration center in Brazil. The Altron purchase strengthens Avnet’s position in the European passive components market, and the Internix deal will expand the distributor’s components business in the fragmented Japan market. The new technology integration center—located in Joinville, Brazil—builds on Avnet’s growing business in South America. The center offers value-added services to the distributor’s embedded technology and technology solutions customers.

In other acquisition news, Premier Farnell announced its purchase of Shenzhen Embest Technology Co. Ltd., a provider of embedded system development boards and tools as well as design engineering services. Based in China, Embest will support Premier Farnell customers around the world. The deal enhances Premier Farnell’s product and service offering, adding a unique portfolio of embedded design capabilities.

And finally, passive electronic components maker Murata Electronics North America closed its deal to acquire RF Monolithics, Inc. (RFM), which makes a broad range of solutions-driven, technology-enabled wireless connectivity for wireless applications—from individual standardized and custom components to modules for comprehensive industrial wireless sensor networks and machine-to-machine technology. The cash transaction paid RFM stockholders $1.78 per share. RFM will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Murata Electronics North America, Inc.

More News

Other distributors and industry sources announced new strategic moves recently:

  • Distributor Peerless Electronics Inc. became an employee-owned company as of May 30, 2012 when its Employees Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) acquired 100% of the company from the estate of its late owner, Alvin M. Shankman.
  • Mouser Electronics, Inc. received a 2011 Boeing Silver Performance Excellence Award, recognizing the distributor’s superior performance for the 12-month period from October 1, 2010, to September 30, 2011.
  • Fort Worth-based Allied Electronics was recently recognized by Cintas Corporation for its environmental efforts, winning the company’s Environmental Award for 2011. Cintas helps manage Allied's on-site recycling efforts. Allied was given the award for saving 1,275 trees, 150 barrels of oil, 525,000 gallons of water and 225 cubic yards of landfill, according to Cintas calculations.
  • The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) announced that Terry Jones, chairman of Kayak.com, founder of Travelocity.com, and innovation expert will speak at ECIA’s 2012 Executive Conference, to be held Oct. 28-30 at the Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare Hotel. Separately, ECIA announced the addition of manufacturer representative data to its industry-owned inventory search site,
    www. ECIAauthorized.com.
  • Smart Data Works announced the release of DistiStock, a software application for sourcing current, in-stock, authorized-only inventory and pricing. Dististock retrieves information from 66 authorized electronic parts distributors in 21 countries.
  • Avnet, Inc. ranked No. 414 on Fortune magazine's 2012  list of the world's largest corporations; this marks Avnet's first appearance on the Fortune Global 500.

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

  • Avnet Memec is now the pan-European distributor for Infinite Power Solutions, Inc. (IPS), a US-based manufacturer of solid-state batteries. The new agreement allows the specialized semiconductor distributor to provide a broader product offering to the growing energy harvesting segment.
  • Digi-Key Corp. entered into a global distribution agreement with Anaren to distribute its Anaren Integrated Radio (AIR) modules. Anaren makes standard products and custom microwave and RF technology and is organized into two operating groups: the Space & Defense Group and the Wireless Group.
  • Distributor TJR Global announced a new formal authorized distribution relationship with Chilisin Electronics, which makes power inductors, chip inductors, beads, common mode chokes, and LTCC-LC filters. Chilisin’s products are used in notebooks, mother boards, graphic cards, liquid-crystal display televisions, blue-ray DVD players, mobile phones and more.

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

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