Poing – 20th May 2008

Avnet Memec, the highly specialised semiconductor distributor of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, announced today that Marc Artigas (47) has been appointed as Country Director France. He will take over from Philippe Fremont (41) who has been promoted to the position of Regional Vice President for Western Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, France and Iberia. He will be responsible for all sales and marketing activities in these regions. Marc Artigas will report to Philippe Fremont, who joins the Avnet Memec management team with immediate effect and reports directly to Steve Haynes, President of Avnet Memec. Both Fremont and Artigas are based at the Avnet Memec’s Paris office in Palaiseau.

Philippe Fremont and Marc Artigas have many years’ experience in the semiconductor industry. Fremont has held a variety of positions on the supplier side as well as at distribution companies. Prior to his recent promotion, Fremont was Country Director France at Avnet Memec and was mainly responsible for establishing and extending Avnet Memec’s presence within the French market.
Marc Artigas joins Avnet Memec from Azzurri, a UK-based distributor acquired by Avnet at the beginning of 2008. He co-founded Azzurri Ltd in 1997 and subsequently established Azzurri France where he held the position of Managing Director. Following the acquisition of Micropuissance in 2005, Marc successfully integrated the company into Azzurri France.

“We are pleased that Marc is joining Avnet Memec as Managing Director France,” stated Steve Haynes, President Avnet Memec. “Marc is very experienced in electronics distribution and already has an excellent understanding of Avnet Memec’s philosophy. His exceptional reputation in the market will enable Avnet Memec France to further strengthen its position and maximise Avnet Memec business opportunities in France. We are also delighted that Philippe has accepted the position of Regional Vice President Western Europe. He is the right person to expand our already strong position in Western Europe.”

Avnet Memec, an independent business unit of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, is a highly specialised semiconductor distributor, operating on a pan-European basis and employing a significant number of engineers to support customers’ design efforts. Avnet Memec specialises in highly innovative suppliers and technologies, which will help a variety of customers to differentiate their designs. Its area of specialisation extends from Analog and Microcontrollers to RF, Datacom and Networking. The business unit operates out of 30 offices in 17 European countries and represents major semiconductor franchises on a pan-European basis.