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 its selection as Panasonic Electric Works’ Distributor of the Year for Sales
Growth 2010.

“We are pleased to receive this honor from such a distinguished company as Panasonic Electric Works,” said Jeff Shafer, vice president, global interconnect, passives, and electromechanical product, Digi-Key Corporation. “Our exponential growth in 2010 came as a direct result of our partnership with top-level companies such as Panasonic Electric Works.”

Digi-Key representatives accepted this award at the EDS conference in Las Vegas, Nev., in May.

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Double-digit sales growth and more than 7x expansion of stock profile made 2010 the most successful year for the RS – Panasonic partnership

RS Components (RS) the world’s leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products and the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), has received the 2010 Demand Creation Award from component manufacturer Panasonic Industrial. During the year, RS added 6800 new Panasonic components to its inventory, taking the total offering to over 8000 parts. The new lines included resistors, capacitors and semiconductors. At the same time, RS achieved double-digit sales growth for Panasonic products.

Ken Steel, Panasonic Sales Director presented the award at Oxford on June 15th 2011. He commented: “Working closely with RS this year and adding so many new lines to the Panasonic offering has been a huge success. We have managed to increase our customer base and drive up sales by together finding many more new customers for leading edge Panasonic products. We congratulate RS on receiving the 2010 Demand Creation Award.”

Chris Page, General Manager-Electronics at RS Components, said: “As we continue to focus our efforts on being the most supportive supplier for electronics design engineers as they go through the find, design-in and purchase process, successful demand creation for our suppliers is a natural outcome of this work. It’s particularly true where the supplier delivers best-in-class components that have a proven track record with our customers, as in Panasonic’s case. On behalf of the whole team at RS, I’d like to thank them for this recognition and we look forward to making 2011 and even more successful year in our partnership.”

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Strategic partnership extended from agreement in Europe allows electronic design engineers in the Asia Pacific to acquire comprehensive range of over 6000 Panasonic passive components

element14, formerly Farnell, the industry’s first fusion of commerce and community supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals worldwide, today announced the extension of its partnership with Panasonic in Europe to Asia Pacific. Over 6000 Panasonic passive components ranging from aluminium electrolytic capacitors, resistors to inductors are now available in element14’s product portfolio that has over 120,000 products stocked in Asia Pacific. Panasonic is an industry leader and pioneer in effective and efficient surge absorber technology and the new ZNR Transient Surge Absorber series presents electronic design engineers across Asia Pacific with cutting-edge, comprehensive surge protection solutions.

The importance of technology and electronics continues to expand in Asia Pacific, as the region grows to become the manufacturing and R&D centre of the world which result in a soaring demand for consumer electronics in its domestic markets. The Panasonic ZNR Transient Surge Absorber series provide an encompassing solution to common occurrences such as power outages and lighting strikes that can be lethal to electronic equipments that are used in a variety of industries from IC semiconductor, consumer electronic equipment, communication, measuring or controller electronics, electronic home appliances, gas or petroleum appliances and relay or electromagnetic valve surge absorption.

“I’m very excited about the possibilities that element14 brings for Panasonic. Through element14’s extensive distribution network and fusion of commerce and community, we are now able to engage new segments across the Asia Pacific region and provide electronic design engineers with Panasonic products to ensure more efficient designs and faster time to market. element14’s interactive online platform will also allow us to understand our customers’ requirement better and ensure we are able to meet their evolving requirements for specialty electronic components,” says Richard Dines, Europe Distribution Sales Manager, Industry & Devices, Panasonic.

William Chong, Regional Director of Supplier, Product & Purchasing Management, element14, Asia Pacific said, “This strategic development in our long-standing partnership with Panasonic was a natural progression for element14. We are deeply committed to support and meet the changing requirements of electronic design engineers across the Asia Pacific region. Our strengthened partnership with Panasonic comes at the most opportune time as this proven and effective power solution will allow engineers to design and produce quality and reliable electronic devices and industrial equipment for use in communications, semiconductor and even oil and gas industries.”

As part of this agreement, element14 will offer the new Panasonic solutions through its businesses located in Australia, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore to ensure that customers enjoy unrivalled eProcurement solutions and services in local currency and language, with 24/7 access to customer service and 24/5 online technical support. With hassle-free return policy, no minimum quantity or pricing requirements and next-day delivery to most cities in Asia, customers can connect easily with element14 through multiple channels for the products and information they need on Panasonic products.

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800 new semiconductor products now available for same day despatch

RS Components is significantly expanding its product portfolio from Panasonic one year on from finalising a distribution deal. RS is adding 1400 new semiconductor product lines from across Panasonic’s extensive range, 800 of which are now available from stock including new discretes, transistors and diodes. The enhanced range is supported with a new microsite bringing the full range under a single umbrella at: rswww.com/Panasonic

The enhanced semiconductor portfolio has now created one of the broadest ranges of Panasonic products held in-stock for electronic design engineers. Product highlights include new compact surface mount Schottky barrier diodes, fast recovery diodes with ultra fast TRR characteristics, zener diodes in a diverse range of packages together with new digital transistors and small signal FETs.

Richard Dines, Sales Manager for Panasonic Catalogue distribution, Europe commented, “Since starting our direct relationship with RS Components in November 2009, the relationship has gone from strength to strength. RS enables us to attract new customers in all applications from emerging markets; their vast customer base, brand strength and marketing power were certainly a key factor in choosing RS components in Europe to sell Panasonic Semiconductors.”

Chris Page, General Manager, Electronics for RS Components continued, “Panasonic is a world class semiconductor supplier, respected by engineers for their quality and breadth of product offering. Expanding our Panasonic product portfolio is enabling us to bring our customers the products they need, when they need them and speed up their time to market.”

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Avnet Abacus relay and sensor portfolio expands with Panasonic Electric Works

Avnet Abacus has announced an extension of its distribution agreement with relay and sensor supplier Panasonic Electric Works. Avnet Abacus will now promote and support Panasonic Electric Works complete range of products including sensors, electro-mechanical relays, solid state relays, PhotoMOS relays, connectors and switches across all European countries.

Commenting, Andreas Deisenrieder, Panasonic Electric Works, General Manager Sales Germany and European Distribution said, “Panasonic Electric Works has had an established relationship with Avnet Abacus in selected European regions for a number of years. The extension of the existing distribution agreement is a result of consistent and exceptional sales growth. Avnet Abacus offers Panasonic Electric Works a dedicated and focused IP&E sales and marketing organisation backed up by an exemplary team of technical support specialists. We look forward to further sales success with Avnet Abacus.”

Hagen Goetze, Avnet Abacus, European Marketing Manager commented, “The main strengths of our well established partnership with Panasonic Electric Works are strong relationships and a fast, flexible approach to business. Panasonic Electric Works offers an extensive state of the art product line-up including innovative sensor technologies. The sensor product portfolio will become one of the key focus areas in developing new design in opportunities in the future.”

Panasonic Electric Works offers products worldwide to support product miniaturisation, process labour saving and reliability enhancements. In the automation control components business, connectors, relays, PhotoMOS relays and switches are manufactured by a unique fine-processing technology which contributes to the miniaturisation and performance enhancement of customers’ applications. Furthermore, in the automotive devices business, devices are created to promote comfort, safety and environmental performance of automobiles.

The Panasonic Electric Works product portfolio includes a strong sensor line-up with miniature, high-performance infrared human detection sensors with built-in amp, light sensors with sensitivity similar to that of a human eye and environmentally friendly (cadmium free) acceleration, detection and pressure sensors.

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Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH and Panasonic Industrial Europe GmbH have extended their franchise contract on a pan-European basis at electronica. It includes components, batteries and optical disc drives. Both companies have worked successfully together for many years.

With it’s products specifically designed for the need of industrial customers, Panasonic Industrial Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Panasonic Europe Ltd, addresses the key markets Automotive, AV/Communication, Appliance, Industry & Devices and Factory Solutions Divisions. “We value Panasonic as a supplier of high quality products and outstanding technical support”, explains Markus Zuehlke, Marketing Director Passive Components at Rutronik. “For example, the SP polymer electrolytic capacitors with their very low ESR-value are an interesting alternative to tantalum capacitors.”

“The extension of our franchise agreement is based on our excellent cooperation, which we have already intensified over the last 12 months, and takes place in order to develop and move our business forward in the future”, states Christian Bail, Sales Manager Broadline Distribution Europe at Panasonic Industrial Europe. “Panasonic really appreciates working together with our partner Rutronik and are looking forward to the next joint challenges and success stories.”

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Farnell, the leading multi-channel distributor of electronic and industrial components, has been named Distributor of the Year by Panasonic. 2010 is the first time Farnell has received the much coveted award from one of the world leaders in electronics technology and innovation.

The award is recognition of the strong partnership developed between the two companies over the past 18 months that has significantly benefited Farnell customers by giving them fast, easy access to a comprehensive range of products and information to support their new product designs. Over 2000 new Panasonic passive components have been added to the Farnell range in the last 12 months, these have included entirely new passive technologies as well as range extensions and battery products.

The award was presented to Farnell President Neil Harrison by Panasonic’s President of Panasonic Industrial Europe Mr Otomo in a ceremony held in Munich on Thursday 5th August. “Panasonic is a household name and synonymous with innovation and quality in almost all sectors of the electronic component and product market,” said Neil. “To receive this award is a significant achievement for Farnell and one that underlines the success of our objective to offer designers in the electronics sector fast and easy access to the latest the electronics components sector has to offer and to help them develop their new products in the shortest possible time and with the maximum competitive edge.”

Commenting on the award Katsuhiko Otomo, President of Panasonic Industrial Europe said: “Panasonic and Farnell have for long shared a strong business relationship. This award is a testament to Farnell’s solid focus on our New Product Introductions and inventory, which has helped us grow our business together, especially in last year’s declining market. In FY2010 we are looking forward to an even stronger growth, building on our current success by working with Farnell to continually introduce our new and exciting technologies to the market.”

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Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, today announced it has signed an expanded distribution agreement with Panasonic Electric Works Corporation of America, a market leader in electromechanical and solid-state relays. The expanded agreement will allow Digi-Key to distribute Panasonic Electric Works products in the Asia-Pacific territories, in addition to the existing franchises for the Americas, Japan, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.

Among the more than 1,400 Panasonic Electric Works products stocked by Digi-Key are connectors, relays, sensors, and switches. These products are available on Digi-Key’s global websites and are featured in its print and online catalogs.

“We are very pleased to extend our relationship with Panasonic Electric Works to the Asia-Pacific territories,” said Jeff Shafer, Digi-Key’s vice president of interconnect, electromechanical, and passive product. “We are confident customers will benefit as we add quality products from Panasonic Electric Works to our offering for these territories.”

“Digi-Key is an important partner in our sales network, giving design engineers easy access to Panasonic components,” according to Steve Cummins, PEWA General Manager, Marketing. “We are excited to extend this availability to a broader design community throughout Asia.”

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Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it was named the 2009 Distributor of the Year – Sales Growth for Panasonic Electric Works, a market leader in electromechanical and solid state relays.

Panasonic chose Mouser for the top spot in recognition of its exponential sales growth percentage, across the board, for Panasonic Electric Works’ product lines for 2009. Mouser’s ability to reach electronic and design engineers with the newest products and latest technologies for a time-to-market advantage was the compelling boost behind the explosive sales growth.

Keith Privett, Mouser Vice President of Electromechanical, was pleased with Mouser’s first Panasonic award. “Mouser’s sales growth for 2009 with Panasonic was phenomenal and was an accomplishment we first celebrated internally. The Panasonic 2009 Distributor of the Year award confirmed Mouser’s commitment to rapidly providing the latest products with world-class customer service. It is a pleasure doing business with Panasonic Electric Works and we look forward to future exponential growth”

Steve Cummins, PEWA’s General Manager of Marketing, recognized Mouser’s achievement. ” Panasonic thrives on the strong performance of our Sales partners. We are delighted that, through Mouser, we have increased our reach into the design community, with their commitment to stocking our relay, sensor and connector products”

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it has reached a distribution agreement with the Electronic Components Group of Panasonic Industrial Company, the industrial components and electronic devices division of Panasonic Corporation of North America.

The much anticipated agreement between Mouser and Panasonic, a leading manufacturer of high quality electronic components, will provide electronics engineers the world over with access to Panasonic’s vast array of advanced electronic components. Mouser’s stock will include Panasonic capacitors, RF modules, switches, inductors, resistors as well as many other reputable Panasonic passive and semiconductor components.

Glenn Smith, Mouser President and CEO, states, “The partnership between Mouser and Panasonic provides a win-win-win solution for our customers, Mouser, and Panasonic. Mouser’s commitment to the rapid introduction of the newest products and technologies will provide Panasonic with new design opportunities for its product lines worldwide, while expanding an already extensive global customer base. We look forward to working with Panasonic and building a strong, successful relationship.” “Panasonic Electronic Components is pleased to work with Mouser Electronics to provide our products to the world’s leading electronics engineers,” said Jeff Howell, Group, Director, Panasonic Electronic Components. “Mouser is a highly respected, reliable distributor that professionals turn to for quick results. That matches up very well with Panasonic’s reputation for delivering quality products and customer service.”

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