Avnet acquires chip programmer

Acquisition of Source Electronics will help Avnet service the programming needs of large global OEMs and contract manufacturers

By Jim Carbone -- Purchasing, 7/2/2008 2:25:00 PM

Avnet, Inc. has acquired Source Electronics Corporation, a leading provider of outsourced custom programming services for integrated circuits (IC).

Source provides programming services that use proprietary programming processes and rapid order fulfillment, according to Avnet. With a multi-regional footprint, Source claims to be the only company focused exclusively on programming services and flexible solutions to support the large volume requirements of its global customer base.

Source’s customer base includes original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract manufacturers, and component manufacturers. Source is based in Hollis, N.H., and has facilities in Brazil, China, Mexico and Singapore. Its customers span a variety of end markets, including consumer electronics, automotive, mobile communications, telecommunications, networking, computing and enterprise storage.

Source will be integrated into the services operations of Avnet Logistics, a division of Avnet that delivers logistics and programming services globally.

Jim Smith, president of Avnet Logistics, says that the combination of the extensive programming operations of Source and Avnet Logistics will create “an industry leader with global scale and scope advantages. It will also strengthen our competitive position with regard to outsourced service offerings while positioning Avnet Electronics Marketing as the primary global distributor serving the programming needs of the electronics industry,” says Smith.