Future Electronics invests in Asia for long-term success

A vibrant and often volatile industry such as electronics calls for equally dynamic companies whose vision and expertise help shape the future. With the Pacific Rim expected to become the world's largest electronics market in consumption, Future Electronics is taking a leading role in electronic component distribution by combining innovation and the relentless pursuit of quality service.

While its competitors limit their inventory to avoid liability, the world's largest privately held electronic component distributor focuses heavily on making inventory available to customers - with an unparalleled continuity of supply and one of the lowest inventory turns in the industry, which provides increased flexibility to customers.

"Holding a large inventory enables us to address our customers' needs right away, thanks to a level of flexibility that is unmatched in the industry," says Lindsley Ruth, executive vice-president. "With a worldwide on-time delivery record of 99.5 per cent, we are able to develop long-term relationships and partnerships with customers who, once we win, we rarely ever lose."

Over 45 years, Future Electronics has grown to 169 locations in 42 countries with more than 100,000 customers and US$5 billion in annual revenues. Through its varied vertical markets and comprehensive inventory, it provides a wide product range, including the latest releases from the world's best electronic device manufacturers.

"There is no limitation on what types of customers we serve. About 48 per cent of our business is in the industrial marketplace, but we are also a big supplier to the medical, automotive, wireless and consumer-related markets, in addition to being the world's best supplier to the contract manufacturing industry," Ruth says.

Diverse yet efficiently integrated, Future Electronics is the industry's only company with fully centralised warehouse management and information technology systems, which give it an advantage in operating seamlessly from North America or Europe to Asia.

Beyond being a distribution company, Future Electronics adds value through its team of engineers who help customers design components precisely to their requirements. Trained at the company's Advanced Engineering University, engineers are also deployed in Future Electronics' state-of-the-art System Design Centers. World-class distribution centres also provide the backbone for exceptional quality and delivery.