Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, a part of Avnet, Inc., announced that it has signed a pan-European franchise agreement with Maxim Integrated Products. The agreement is an extension of an existing relationship between Maxim and Avnet Memec and is effective immediately.
To capitalize on the full strength of the Avnet distribution network in Europe, Maxim has granted Avnet a twin franchise agreement for Avnet Memec and for Silica to cover the entire breadth of the distribution market and Avnet’s service offerings, from design chain to supply chain management.
As part of the global agreement, Maxim anticipates some reorganization and consolidation of its existing distribution network in North America as well as in Europe. However, Avnet Electronics Marketing, more specifically two of its business units – Avnet Memec and Silica – are allowed to start trading as of now. Avnet Memec, who already has a distribution agreement with Maxim in parts of Europe, will start trading on the expanded franchise immediately, and Silica will commence trading Maxim products by the beginning of February 2008.
Walter Sangalli, Managing Director of Maxim Integrated Products in Europe, said, "Sharing our franchise between the highly design-driven specialist distributor Avnet Memec and the broadline semiconductor specialist Silica is in our eyes the best solution to fully penetrate the European analog market and win more analog sockets and mass market opportunities."
