Austin, Tex.—After an eight-year hiatus, I returned to NI Week, that high-flying, fast-rolling, guitar-playing event held in the Texas capital during the heat of summer. Things have certainly changed since the first NI Week in 1995 (I was there). PXI had not yet been invented, nor did we have flying drones. Robots were for industrial…
DetailsOver the past two years, America II has evolved into what it calls a “blended distribution” model, combining the strategies of both franchised and independent distribution. The St. Petersburg, Fla.- based company started out 25 years ago as an independent distributor focusing on component shortages and now has more than 50 franchises as it works…
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One decade after it began a series of acquisitions aimed at boosting sales and profit expansion Vishay Intertechnology Inc. is still struggling to find the right formula for differentiating itself in one of the most competitive and growth-challenged segments of the electronics components market. The company has made many acquisitions and broadened its product offerings…
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In a world with an increasingly complex security landscape, hacking has gone well beyond corporate web sites and consumer's computers. More than ever before electronics OEMs need to be aware of the complex and multinational nature of hardware hacking, and plan their supply chain accordingly. Just last year, for example, a number of smart phones…
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Business transformation implies a change in the way a company does business, as well as a development of competence in specific functions and processes. Ideally, a culture of change arises and encourages new ways of working towards a more sustainable supply chain. However, to make these changes, organizations often need help from the outside. The…
DetailsAlthough Intel retains its title as the leading semiconductor supplier in sales, Samsung shrunk Intel’s lead to 16 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2015, according IC Insight’s August Update. In 2014, Intel’s semiconductor sales were 36 percent greater than Samsung’s revenues. However, IC Insights analysts believe it will be tough for Samsung to…
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When the Internet first enabled b2b e-commerce, companies that wanted to buy and sell electronics components tried a lot of different models. Marketplaces similar to Amazon.com appeared that displayed parts for sale (called OPI—other peoples’ inventory) no matter where the parts were located. Auction sites posted inventory (the eBay model) and allowed buyers to bid.…
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Apple's annual fall event is just a few weeks away, and this year the company has lots of exciting things in store, including the highly anticipated iPhone 6s. The date isn't official yet, but is strongly believed to be arriving after Labor Day. The most likely date for the event is Sept. 9,according to a report…
DetailsMETZ CONNECT, manufacturer of PCB mount terminal blocks, board-to-board connectors, RJ45 jacks, USB ports, industrial Ethernet connection systems including M12 Ethernet, intelligent electronic components and data cabling solutions, has announced the addition of Future Electronics as a Global Distributor for METZ CONNECT. Future Electronics is a worldwide leader in electronic components distribution, and is recognized…
DetailsSmith & Associates, the largest independent distributor of electronic components, today announces the launch of its expanded purchase price variance (PPV) cost savings program and accompanying informational campaign. This campaign, which uses the medium of vintage-style comic books and advertisements, will provide Smith a lighthearted way to promote a serious service for electronics manufacturers. Smith’s…
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