Avnet Electronics Marketing and Alps Electric Ink Global Distribution Pact

PHOENIX -- Avnet Electronics Marketing, an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), and Alps Electric Co., Ltd. (Alps), a Japan-based developer and manufacturer of electronic devices and components, have entered into a global distribution agreement.

Under the agreement, Avnet will distribute the full line of Alps products, including switches and encoders, sensors, potentiometers, connectors, direct thermal printers, radio frequency (RF) and optical devices on a worldwide basis.

Alps Electric is guided by a development concept that blends core and proprietary technologies to produce a sophisticated and highly functional line of devices for the broadcasting and telecommunications fields. Alps products enhance human-to-machine interface and enable the comfortable operation of appliances for unsurpassed machine-to-machine interface.

’Alps understands and embraces the concept of ’art of electronics,’ which results in a unique and advanced line of products for seamless designs,’ said Tom McCartney, senior vice president of IP&E business development worldwide for Avnet Electronics Marketing. ’Together, Avnet and Alps will work with customers, from the design stage to production and around the globe, to assure products meet their unique needs in a functional and cost-effective way.’

’We are delighted to combine the broad global presence of Avnet and the outstanding quality performance of our products,’ said Yasuo Sasao, general manager strategic sales and marketing operations for Alps Electric. ’This combination will create synergy and lead to a great success in marketing the growing range of Alps products across global markets, especially also in adding service values and by creating new customer relationships across all geographies.’

For more information, please visit Avnet’s Design Resource Center at: www.em.avnet.com/drc.