Agilent Technologies has named RS Components as distribution partner for its test and measurement products in Europe.

The appointment of a distributor is part of the company’s plan to expand sales in a number of markets including the mid and low priced oscilloscope market.

“Our competitors have been there for some time and we have not. So now we are changing that,” Jay Alexander v-p and general manager of the oscilloscope business at Agilent Technologies told EW.

In the past higher value test equipment was not seen as suitable products for the distribution channel but over the years that view has changed with a number of suppliers, including some big names such as Tektronix, building sales through distribution.

The view is that for the growing base of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) distribution has an increasingly important role to play in the route to market.

“We are expanding into the distribution market to reach a wider range of customers for our scopes,” said Alexander.

Other strong distribution products are likely to be Agilent’s multimeters and bench power supplies.   

RS will offer customers access to the Agilent range of test equipment online, along with technical information.