Mumbai: Analog Devices announced it has selected Arrow Electronics as its strategic distribution channel partner operating globally. Analog Devices, which is acquiring Linear Technology, will retain its current regional distributor network but will employ Arrow as its sole global distribution channel partner. The company is also reportedly dropping Avnet as its sole global distributor, except for Avnet’s Premier Farnell unit.
Both Arrow and Avnet have carried the ADI line for years. Arrow has been its leading distributor, according to investment firm Stifel, generating about $700 million per year in ADI sales to Avnet’s $500 million. Avnet, however, does not carry Linear Technology; Arrow is considered Linear’s largest distributor, it said
The move is aimed at enabling a deeper level of support and greater breadth of services for ADI’s customers, who under this new and simplified structure will have the ability to leverage a strong, focused channel team, and draw on a comprehensive suite of end-to-end support services ranging from design and prototyping to logistics support.
“Analog Devices continues to invest on behalf of our customers, including expanding our direct sales team and, today, strengthening our channel operations by deepening our engagement with Arrow,” said Martin Cotter, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales and Digital Marketing, Analog Devices.
“Arrow’s impressive ecosystem of technical sales and marketing, full product lifecycle solutions and logistics services enables ADI to transform its channel strategy from a transactional focus to a strategic one. We are excited about the possibilities of this closer relationship for all of our customers.”
Arrow has been one of ADI’s key channel partners for decades, providing specialized services and expertise ranging from global supply chain and logistics support to full product lifecycle design and production for ADI’s extensive portfolio of high-performance analog products, including data converter, signal conditioning, RF and microwave, power, DSP, and sensor ICs.