EBV-Electrolink (EBV), the South African subsidiary of the Europe, Middle East and Africa focused EBV-Elektronik distribution group, is flourishing and continues to expand the product range offered. Although now part of the global Avnet operation, EBV operates totally independently and focuses exclusively on the semiconductor market. The directly operated Avnet companies are of course full-line distributors.
EBV-Electrolink (EBV), the South African subsidiary of the Europe, Middle East and Africa focused EBV-Elektronik distribution group, is flourishing and continues to expand the product range offered. Although now part of the global Avnet operation, EBV operates totally independently and focuses exclusively on the semiconductor market. The directly operated Avnet companies are of course full-line distributors.
While EBV could be considered as the overall number three in terms of electronic component distribution in South Africa, when it comes to semiconductors, Johannesburg-based field sales engineer Steve Ferraris believes they are definitely Number One! The reason for this is the exclusive focus on semiconductors, the broad range of these distributed and the in-depth knowledge of these devices. The real strength of EBV is in assisting electronic companies to design in their semiconductors and for that reason the company has more than the usual number of field application engineers (FAEs). Each of the some 50 EBV offices (three in South Africa located in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban) has at least one and often two or more FAEs on call. Three times a year EBV in Europe organises get-togethers for all its FAEs where the latter are given extensive combined training, exchange ideas and applications, and are introduced to new developments and technologies.
Unlike other distributors EBV keeps overhead costs low through not maintaining a separate warehouse in each country or region serviced. In fact all 48 regional offices are supplied from a single mega-warehouse in Munich, Germany. With two dedicated shipments to South Africa every week this means that 'in-stock' components can be delivered to local customers within seven days after receipt of order. Every office in South Africa has an on-line dedicated sales link to Munich so that stock availability and pricing can be obtained virtually with a single keystroke. Munich itself updates the database every 15 min. In this country all orders are co-ordinated through the Head Office in Cape Town from where they are consolidated and then transmitted electronically to Europe. Customers are also encouraged to register with EBV and then they can also view stockholding and prices although ordering is still through each regional office. EBV takes pride in the level of service provided and the excellence of this has been confirmed through feedback from their customers.
The market for EBV in Africa is anywhere that semiconductors are used, and includes the automotive, security, telecommunications, industrial, process control and IT sectors. In South Africa EBV has more than 800 listed companies on its books, a base that is still growing. As with all the major distributors, EBV was affected last year by the global downturn in the electronics and telecommunications industries. This financial year has seen solid recovery and the turnover is expected to exceed R70 million.
As a South African registered company, EBV-Electrolink (Electrolink was the entity name before its acquisition by EBV Elektronik, and was retained in the new name to carry over the association with high service levels) has two local directors, both of whom are located in the Cape Town Head Office. These are the well-known Steve Stafford (managing) and Cathy Lombard (financial). The company takes great pride in its flat management structure and responsibility is delegated downwards to empower all staff to take decisions. On the technical side the company has one regional applications manager to which the FAEs report.
The latest coup for EBV-Electrolink is the news that it has been awarded distributorship for the product line of the Altera Corporation. With the other recent decisions to allow it the rights to distribute Texas and Agilent semiconductor products this brings the local company virtually into line with its European associates. Altera has been a strong selling line in South Africa and EBV hopes to promote the sales of its semiconductor products to new highs.
For further information contact EBV-Electrolink, 021 421 5350, www.ebv.com
| Tel: | +27 11 236 1900 |
| Email: | saro.murabito@ebv.com |
| www: | www.ebv.com |
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