Electronica 2008 - Read our full show coverage from Munich
In addition to showcasing the latest technologies, as the electronic industry’s largest European show, Electronica also provides the perfect environment for OEMs, distributors, suppliers and a host of other businesses to ‘take the pulse’ of the industry and to assess the true state of the market.
The fact is that wherever you look – from consumer goods, communications products and industrial equipment to medical technology, vehicles and security systems - electronics play an ever-increasing and a more and more important role in our daily lives.
And what this means is that, over the long term, there will continue to be demand for electronic engineers, ODMs, OEMs and EMS companies to design and manufacture ever more advanced electronics products.
The real question for many businesses, therefore, will be what needs to be done to ensure their long-term success and growth? And one of the answers to this question lies in the choice of distribution partner.
The distribution channel plays a vital role in an increasingly fragmented electronics design and manufacturing industry that, in the UK and across Europe, has become dominated by small- to medium-sized enterprises. As a result, choosing a long-term distribution partner needs to be seen as a critical business decision.
But what factors – beyond a comprehensive and well-balanced linecard - should be considered when identifying such a partner?
I believe that customers should look for a partner that can demonstrate stability, global economies of scale and ongoing investment. Customers should also consider the relationship that a distributor has with its suppliers on both a worldwide and regional basis.
Strong supplier-distributor relationships go beyond supply of product and translate directly into customer benefits in terms of technical and commercial support and rapid access to information that has a direct relevance to a company’s design, manufacturing and business objectives.
Stig Enslev is managing director at Arrow UK
Full, extensive editorial coverage will be provided on Electronics Weekly, in a special Electronica section. Interviews, latest releases, details of the show, such as floorplans, exposition of latest technologies... Simply bookmark: www.electronicsweekly.com/electronica2008
See also: Q5 interview - Stig Enslev, Arrow UK