ESE March10 p20_23_Layout 1 26/02/2010 12:49 Page 1
20 CATALOGUE DISTRIBUTION
DisTribuTors
Discuss
Here at Electronics Sourcing Europe, we wanted to find out what's going
on in the world of distribution. What are the drivers for change, the
challenges and the solutions for 2010 and beyond?
In order to understand the Zeitgeist in the electronics distribution “Over the next few months, customers will definitely want to plan
community, we asked European distributors to comment on the ahead and anticipate their needs in advance to address the challenge
key distribution challenges and solutions for 2010 and beyond. of tight supply and longer lead times for some components.”
Their answers will help buyers identify and respond to market
driven issues over the next 12 months. So what did distributors
Time to market – can you keep up?
have to say for themselves?
Reply: Mouser's Mark Burr-Lonnon believes the company's
stocking capabilities offer a solution. He said: “There are many
Availability – is it
challenges facing electronic component buyers in 2010, including
really an issue?
time to market constraints, product obsolescence, and inventory.
Reply: Mark Larson, Mouser is able to address these issues by stocking the newest
president and COO at products and latest technologies from over 400 manufacturers,
Digi-Key, believes so. for delivery within two to three business days to any location
Mark said: “The current worldwide. With free shipping incentives, Mouser aims to keep
challenge for buyers is transaction costs low. Local customer service centres throughout
to purchase Europe assist buyers with orders, BOM processing, quotes and
components for design order status.
and production needs
“Mouser also makes sure that end of life (EOL) product is noted
today.
throughout the website and also removed from all catalogues. This
President an
d COO at D
igi-Key, Ma
rk
“The economic helps buyers add new product features, improve product life or
Larson: Plan
ahead to ad
dress tight s
upply
and longer
leads times
meltdown that specifications, complete assignments quickly and avoid designing in a
occurred in October product not recommended for new designs.
2008 was very severe in the electronic industry and forced many
“Through constant
manufacturers to contract. Over a period of six to eight months,
communication with its
worldwide production capacity for semiconductors, capacitors,
suppliers, Mouser’s team
switches, relays was sharply reduced. In October 2009, it was as if
of specialised product
somebody turned on a switch. Sales of components increased
managers try to move
sharply. The problem was that the demand suddenly exceeded
ahead of the inventory
the reduced production capacity of many manufacturers.
curve through well-
“Digi-Key has consistently maintained a strong inventory on a informed purchasing
broad range of components. This means most products can be decisions. The pivotal
shipped immediately. Even in this time of high demand, we point in supporting
believe that Digi-Key continues to have the best selection. Low buyers is how quickly,
shipping costs on small orders, and no shipping costs on medium and in what quantities
sized orders keep customer costs low with deliveries typically products can be
p2
Mo
within two or three business days. accessed.”
us
p 2 2
er's Mark
Burr-Lonn
on: Mouse
r mov
a
e
h
s
ead of the
inventory
curve thr
ough well
i
-
nformed p
urchasing
decisions
MArcH 2010 electronics-sourcing.eu
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