Mayor officially re-opens RS Bow after £35,000 investment

RS Components, a leading global component distributor, has officially re-opened the doors of its Trade Counter in Bow, East London to eagerly awaiting customers. The ceremony was conducted by the worshipful the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Councillor Ahmed Omer and RS UK General Manager, Paul Quested following over £35,000 of investment in the showroom, ordering/collection facilities and external signage.

The refurbishment took six weeks to complete and paves the way for an enhanced same-day customer experience with many more products available for self-selection in a brighter, cleaner environment. A split counter – one for collections and one for ordering – will help to shorten customer waiting times, while additional Internet points and a ‘Take 5′ area will make it easier for customers to browse the RS website, rswww.com, for all the latest products and price information.

In addition to its core customer base of maintenance engineers, the Bow Trade Counter is in a prime location to serve the estimated 22,000 contractors working on the nearby London 2012 project. With the support of the London Development Agency, which has been helping the Trade Counter to win business from the Olympics site, RS has already started to benefit from some of the available opportunities. For example, client companies now include J Murphy, Aggreko, Mitsubishi Europe, Honeywell, WSP, Bam Nuttall and Enterprise Power, and the range of projects involved includes major groundwork and powerhouse contracts for EDF.

“The investment at RS Bow is a sign of our continued commitment to the local area,” said Darren Spearing, Bow Trade Counter Customer Services Manager. “Our customers now have access to a wider range of products at the showroom than ever before, and can locate the correct product and view associated technical data sheets quickly and easily using the new Internet terminals. In addition, customers who place an order for collection at the Trade Counter over the web, by fax or phone will now be able to go straight to the front of the queue by using our dedicated collection point.”

As a company, RS started its operation in London over 70 years ago and has grown to become a leading global distributor of electrical, electronic, electromechanical and industrial products. The Bow branch has been serving the community for the past 25 years. It currently employs eight people and, with a mix of local customers based within a two-mile radius and contractors who are working within east and central London, is hoping that increasing sales will enable it to expand during 2010.

Welcoming this news, Paul Quested, RS UK General Manager said: “This is further evidence of the opportunities that the 2012 Olympics are opening up to East London. Looking further ahead, we expect major projects such as Crossrail and other Thames Gateway regeneration initiatives to continue bringing new business and employment to the area. We are delighted to be involved in these exciting developments and look forward to being an important part of the local community for many years to come.”

Quested continued: “I would also like to thank all our staff at the Bow Trade Counter for the excellent job they did maintaining our high standard of customer service with business taking place as usual throughout the refurbishment work.”

Geoff Newton, Director of Olympic Opportunity, said: “The London Development Agency is committed to supporting London’s businesses and ensuring they are best placed to make the most of the many opportunities that are arising from the 2012 Olympic Games. We are delighted that our support for RS Components has helped the Bow Store to tap into new business opportunities and the new counter will continue to provide an important resource for London and Londoners.”

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Over 800 new lines introduced, including crystals, micro-crystals and oscillators from Micro-Crystal, Epson Toyocom and Fox Electronics

RS Components, the leading distributor of electronic, electro-mechanical and industrial products, today announced the addition of a further 830 products to its Frequency Control range. The increased range includes the latest oscillators, crystals and resonators from leading manufacturers, including Micro-Crystal, Fox Electronics, Epson Toyocom, Aker and MEC. All devices are held in-stock and are available in industry-standard packaging formats at user-defined flexible quantities for design, prototyping and low-volume production.

Among the new introductions are over 200 Fox Electronics devices, including crystal oscillators and XpressO VXCOs, giving design engineers greater levels of frequency control from MHz to GHz. Epson Toyocom’s crystal oscillators range has been increased by 120 products, offering multiple footprint options to engineers considering new application designs. New MHz crystals from MEC and Aker satisfy a wide range of applications, providing more choice for engineers in design and development.

Speaking for RS, Glenn Jarrett, Head of Electronics Marketing, said: “With a wider offering of key frequencies, footprints and technology ranges, we are confident that electronics design engineers will find more choice, more resources and more variety from RS when looking for solutions they can adopt in new applications. We are delighted to be working with market-leading manufacturers to deliver this level of support to our customers.”

“We are pleased to be able to distribute our product line through RS Components,” said E.L. Fox, president of Fox Electronics. “Because of our rapid growth, both internationally and in North America, it became necessary to find a quality distributor that could help us better meet the needs of our customers as we continue to expand. We are confident in RS Components’ ability to do just that.”

Dieter Liesabeths, VP Marketing & Sales for Microcrystal, added: “RS Components is now able to offer a broad product portfolio of kHz or MHz crystals and oscillators. This allows the speeding up of time-to-market and will also help to significantly reduce development costs. We have great expectations for our new Real Time Clock Modules (RTCs) with advanced features in this market.”

The updated Frequency Control range from RS is available online in industry-standard production packaging at rswww.com/electronics, where customers can link straight into the product range and supporting technical information, then select and order direct-from-stock.

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Exclusive Partnership with Comair Rotron Shanghai

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced the company has been selected as the master distributor for North America by Comair Rotron Shanghai Fan Co. Ltd.

Digi-Key also announces available stock on a select offering of Comair Rotron’s DC fans and blowers. These products are available for immediate shipment and can be purchased on Digi-Key’s global websites. Additionally, look for the availability of Comair Rotron’s AC products in the second quarter of 2010. At that time, Comair Rotron’s line will be available in prototype and production quantities on Digi-Key’s websites. These products will also be featured in future print and online catalogs.

Since its early beginnings as Rotron in 1947, Comair Rotron has set the worldwide standard in the design of forced air electronic component cooling devices. Sold around the globe, Comair Rotron AC and DC fans and blowers serve a wide variety of market segments and can be found in the following applications: network servers, telecommunications equipment, electronic cabinetry, computers and peripherals, and laboratory equipment. As of October 14, 2008, Comair Rotron, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG.

Jeff Shafer, Digi-Key’s vice president of interconnect, passive, and electromechanical product said, “We are very excited to play a key role in this new beginning for Comair Rotron and make its quality, standard-setting products available once again to customers throughout North America and around the globe.”

Comair Rotron North American Sales Director Mike Barr added, “At Comair Rotron, we, too, are excited about this partnership with Digi-Key. Digi-Key’s commitment to superior service through product selection, availability, and responsiveness makes this distributor the perfect vehicle for Comair Rotron’s re-emerging product line. We are confident Digi-Key will get Comair Rotron products back into the hands of engineers and purchasing agents quickly and as is Digi-Key’s way, to the complete satisfaction of its customers.”

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Distributor’s range of 70,000 electromechanical components includes the latest product launches from Tyco Electronics, Molex, and other major manufacturers

RS Components, the leading distributor of electronic, electromechanical and industrial products, continues to add to its market-leading ranges of connectors, switches, relays and power management devices.

In December 2009, the distributor added over 4,000 new connectivity devices, switches and relays from Tyco Electronics to its range. This followed expansion of its electronic and industrial connector portfolio in November 2009, to include the latest new product releases from connector giant Molex. Other recent new product introductions to the RS “Emech” range include:

· The latest new releases from connector manufacturers, including 10,000 new products from TE, Molex, Amphenol, Harting, Harwin and FCI. Highlights include Harting’s Subminiature D High Density connectors, which provide higher densities within the standard D-Sub shell pattern giving more data paths with the same panel cut out. From FCI, the 211PC series of connectors are 4-way mini-sealed coupling housings for 1.5mm terminals and provide robust sealing properties giving protection to IP68 standards.

· 4,000 new technology switches and relays from Omron, including the latest release tactile surface-mount switches such as the B3F1000 series, ideal for applications such as audio, office and communications equipment, measuring instruments and TVs.

· 1,000 Power Management devices from Traco Power, Recom and Murata Power, such as the such as the Recom RCD range which is a step-down constant current source designed for driving high power white LEDs in the range 300mA to 700mA.

Commenting on the continuing range expansion, Paul Webster, Head of Electronics Product Management for RS Components said: “Our strong partnerships with major manufacturers of electromechanical components mean we can offer customers all the connectors, switches, relays and power supplies they need from a reliable single source, all at competitive prices and direct from stock.”

Customers can browse, select and order from the full range of 70,000 electromechanical components online at rswww.com/electronics, where they will find details of recent manufacturer launches, including technical information and application ideas.

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Energy Micro’s ultra low power microcontroller products from Digi-Key

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, announced today it has entered into an agreement with Energy Micro® for the North American distribution of Energy Micro’s ultra low power microcontroller products.

The following EFM®32 Gecko family microcontroller products are now available for purchase on Digi-Key’s US and Canadian websites and will be featured in future print and online catalogs:

* EFM32-G8XX-DK (Digi-Key #914-1001-ND) EFM32 Gecko Development Kit LCD Support
* EFM32-G2XX-DK (Digi-Key #914-1000-ND) EFM32 Gecko Development Kit

Based on the industry standard ARM® Cortex™-M3 architecture, the EFM32 Gecko microcontrollers have been proven to extend battery life by a factor of four. The EFM32 Gecko development kit serves as a platform for rapid prototyping of ultra low power microcontroller applications. The development kit contains a motherboard, a replaceable MCU-board, a large prototyping board and a comprehensive software development environment. The kit also includes an Advanced Energy Monitoring (AEM) system enabling designers to accurately view current consumption in real time, enabling early identification and removal of adverse energy drains.

Dave Doherty, Digi-Key vice president of semiconductor product said, “We are pleased to partner with Energy Micro and are certain the company’s line of microcontroller products will be of significant interest to design engineers seeking products with very low energy consumption.”

“Energy Micro is pleased to partner with Digi-Key to distribute our energy friendly microcontroller products,” said Geir Førre, Energy Micro’s president and CEO. “Digi-Key is recognized as a leader among electronic components distributors, and we are proud to be part of Digi-Key’s product line.”

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Cycleo to Partner with Japan’s leading IP distributor -Spinnaker Systems

Cycleo SAS, provider of innovative semiconductor IP targeting wireless long range applications, today announced the appointment of Spinnaker Systems Inc as its distributor in Japan. Spinnaker, a PALTEK Group company, will be responsible for sales and front line support of Lora™ IP family from Cycleo.

“We are very pleased to be a partner of Cycleo,” said Toru Katagiri, president and chief executive officer of Spinnaker. We have established strong relations with customers in the wireless and consumer markets where we see a significant need for innovative wireless IP. The introduction of Cycleo IP is well timed to meet the needs for wireless long range low power applications. Initial response from Japanese customers has been very encouraging so far.»

“We are proud to enter a partnership with the leading IP distributor in Japan,” said Francois Hede, C.E.O of Cycleo. “Japan is a very important region for Cycleo with a very advanced technology and a great openness to enabling innovations. With its reputation for delivering compelling solutions to a demanding designers community, Spinnaker is a key partner for introducing our innovative wireless long range Lora IP to the Japanese market.

Wireless long range, low power is a key technology addressing next generation of devices targeting promising AMR, machine to machine and handset to device market segments. Cycleo recently introduced Lora™ an innovative semiconductor IP, designed to enhance range of wireless systems by a factor of 10 to 30 without changing device BOM (Bill of materials). Lora™ is a digital only IP replacing existing modems taking radio sensitivity to unprecedented levels.

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Ramtron expands global distribution with Future Electronics

Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR), the leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) and integrated semiconductor products, has announced that it has agreed to expand its global sales reach with Montreal-based Future Electronics to include key markets in Europe, Japan, and Asia. The agreement authorizes Future Electronics to globally distribute Ramtron’s full line of F-RAM memory devices and integrated products.

“We are pleased to expand our relationship with Future Electronics as they have established a strong track record of demand creation, high customer satisfaction, and sales growth since the beginning of our relationship,” said Michael Hollabaugh, Ramtron senior vice president of marketing and sales. “Our goal is to build on our past success with Future to expand the use of Ramtron products by an ever broadening array of customers and applications.”

“Ramtron’s F-RAM based semiconductor products complement Future’s offerings by providing a high-performance and green nonvolatile memory alternative,” said Dragos Chima, Future marketing director for memory products. “We welcome the opportunity to leverage our vast global distribution network to help Ramtron drive the widespread adoption of the company’s products.”

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Major increase includes expanded MATE-N-LOK and AMPMODU products, 300 new relays and new LED PCB-mount lighting connectors

RS Components, the leading distributor of electronic, electro-mechanical and industrial products, has announced the introduction of over 4,100 products from Tyco Electronics. This increase creates a full Tyco Electronics range of over 18,000 products across multiple technologies, held entirely in-stock and available at user-defined quantities in the industry-standard packaging formats specified for design, prototype and small batch production runs.

Among the introductions, stand-out range increases include over 270 more Universal MATE-N-LOK connectors, giving design engineers increased choice in selecting the right connector for new industry, HVAC and lighting applications. Over 240 AMPMODU micro-interconnect products have also been added, which are designed for cable-to-board, cable-to-cable and board-to-board applications. 140 additional PIDG crimp terminals and over 300 additional relays have also been added to the Tyco Electronics product range from RS.

New lines introduced include 85 Tyco Electronics LED PCB-mount lighting connectors, including hermaphroditic and poke-in connectors. The poke-in connectors are low profile, surface mount (SMT) two-position connectors ideally suited for LED strings and lighting controls. The hermaphroditic blade and receptacle connectors are new SMT connectors available in 2, 4 and 6 positions, intended for use with in-line board-to-board LED lighting applications.

Commenting on the range increase, Mark Levy, Global Distribution General Manager for Tyco Electronics stated: “We have worked closely with RS Components to define the right range for electronics design engineers and buyers. RS is ideally placed to provide a global service and support for users of our technology in their applications.”

For RS, Chris Page, General Manager, Electronics commented: “Tyco Electronics is a world-leader in electronic components design and manufacture. We are delighted to be announcing this substantial increase in the Tyco Electronics product range available from RS. With our market-leading service levels, competitive prices and packaging solutions, design engineers and buyers from around the globe can select RS as their first choice source for Tyco Electronics components required in design, prototype and production.”

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Global Distribution Agreement with Amphenol Sine Systems

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, and Amphenol Sine Systems today announced the companies have signed an agreement for the worldwide distribution of Sine Systems interconnect products.

Sine Systems products stocked by Digi-Key are now available for purchase and immediate shipment on Digi-Key’s global websites. Additionally, these products are slated to be featured in future print and online catalogs.

Amphenol Sine Systems is part of the IMA&I Group, a division of Amphenol Corporation that is responsible for creating a diversified presence in high-growth segments of the interconnect market, specifically military, aerospace, and industrial applications.

“Digi-Key is very pleased to add Amphenol Sine Systems to our repertoire of supplier partners,” said Jeff Shafer, Digi-Key vice president of interconnect, passive, and electromechanical products. “Drawing on the extensive resources of Amphenol Corporation, Amphenol Sine Systems provides products that set the standards for performance, reliability and cost effectiveness. We are certain Digi-Key customers worldwide will find these products to be of consequential interest and appeal.”

“We at Amphenol Sine Systems pride ourselves on our relationships with our customers, going all the way back to 1967,” said Wayne Spence, business unit director, Amphenol Sine Systems, Michigan. “Having built up that reputation, we need a distributor who could match that, and Digi-Key Corporation more than fits the bill. With their customer-focused distribution and high-ranking customer service, we felt it was a win-win situation for all of our efforts moving forward. With the new releases of both of our AT Series™ and M23 Connectors, we are more than confident Digi-Key’s excellent personnel and sales staff with take care of all of our needs while maintaining our reputation.”

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TI Stellaris® Flash and SRAM Memory Expansion Board: DK-LM3S9B96-FS8

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it is stocking new product from Texas Instruments Microcontrollers.

The Texas Instruments DK-LM3S9B96-FS8 Stellaris® Flash and SRAM Memory Expansion Board is an optional memory expansion board for the Stellaris DK-LM3S9B96 development board.

The DK-LM3S9B96- FS8 TI Stellaris memory expansion board is designed to connect directly to the EPI port of the Stellaris LM3S9B96 MCU and provides external Flash memory, SRAM memory, and an LCD controller interface. This TI expansion board demonstrates the ease-of-use in connecting multiple external memories and peripherals via the Stellaris MCU’s flexible EPI configured in Host Bus 8 address / data multiplexed mode.

The TI DKLM3S9B96- FS8 Stellaris Memory Expansion Board features 8 Megabytes of Flash memory and 1 Megabyte of SRAM. To learn more, visit http://www.mouser.com/timicrocontrollers.

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