Avnet has joined the swelling ranks of multinational electronics distributors in the mainland by opening a direct sales office in Shenzhen.
The New York-based firm, one of the world's largest distributors of semiconductors, interconnect, passive and electro-mechanical components and computer products, saw profits of US$961.8 million on sales of $5.4 billion for the year to June 30.
'Our plan is to open three offices in China in 1998,' Nicholas Leung, general manager of sales and marketing at Avnet's Hong Kong-based subsidiary, Avnet WKK Components, said.
An office in Shanghai will open early next year, followed by one in Beijing by the second quarter. The location of the third office had not yet been decided, Mr Leung said.
Avnet distributes products from companies such as Motorola to a customer base mainly of original equipment manufacturers.
'Most of the distributors have been doing confidential business in China. That is why we have to open offices in China,' Mr Leung said.