IP&E expert TTI Inc. raised a few eyebrows when it acquired semiconductor specialty distributor Symmetry Electronics in July of 2017. The announcement of TTI’s intent to acquire RF/microwave expert RFMW Ltd. raised a few more. Until 2017, TTI focused exclusively on interconnect, passive and electromechanical (IP&E) components. Its expertise in these products has sustained TTI…
Two weeks into the new year, Gartner Inc. has doubled its 2018 semiconductor revenue forecast to 7.5 percent, propelling the global chip market to $451 billion. This might only be a preview of what’s in store for the components industry as other devices, such as interconnect, passive and electromechanical components, are “pulled” through the supply…
For its first 28 years in business, TTI Inc. was not an acquisitive company. But starting in 1999, TTI has methodically been adding to its family of specialty distributors. The interconnect, passives and electromechanical component (IP&E) specialist dipped its toes into semiconductors with the 1999 acquisition of Mouser Electronics and is now adding to that…
In the interconnect, passive and electromechanical market, the slightest advantage can help secure a component’s spot in an OEM design. IP&E component manufacturer Bourns Inc. is expanding its competitive edge in the power electronics market by acquiring specific assets of the Transtek brand of magnetics components. Transtek’s product portfolio included custom transformers, inductors and coils…
From a distributor’s perspective, not all suppliers are created equal. Some component makers view the channel as a valued extension of their salesforce; others view distributors as an offsite repository for their inventory. Abracon LLC CEO Mike Calabria is making sure his company falls in the former category. “We are extremely channel-centric,” said the former…
The IP&E distribution market may be consolidating, but customers will be able to get a wider array of products and services from fewer distributors if history bears out. Sager Electronics, which itself was acquired by TTI Inc. almost two years ago, closed its acquisition of PowerGate LLC on June 30. PowerGate is a specialist in…
The electronics distribution industry has evolved to the point that the old monikers used to differentiate companies no longer apply. Distributors that used to print phonebook-sized tomes of component specs now do the bulk of their business online. “Catalog” no longer describes distributors that specialize in low-volume high-mix component orders. Now, “independent,” which was used…
Over the past month, there has been an uptick in military-related partnerships, services, and products in the interconnect, passive, and electromechanical (IP&E) industry. It may be due to MILCOM 2014 (Military Communications Conference) held earlier this month, but in any case, electronic component manufacturers and distributors are putting a lot more focus on the military…
With interconnect, passive and electromechanical (IP&E) component suppliers about to announce their quarterly earnings over the next few weeks, one fact is certain: several are now fatter companies thanks to a second quarter buying spree of smaller companies. Over the past quarter, major companies, including TE Connectivity, Vishay, Molex, and Bel Fuse, have snatched up…
In last month’s IP&E Market Insider newsletter, I noted that it was very likely that we would see more interconnect, passive, and electromechanical (IP&E) component manufacturers focused on high-performance product development to offset dwindling margins in their commodity businesses as well as more targeted acquisitions of niche companies that give them entry into higher end…