Electrocomp was registered on 3 January 1980 by the late John Farrell to distribute electronic components to the smaller end of the market, its policy being 'to live off the crumbs of the Philips table'.
Sandwiched between a typewriter repair shop and a bottle store in Beit Street, Doornfontein, the 50 m2 office/shop was in close proximity to Philips head office in Ellis Park. At that time, there were approximately 12 other Philips component distributors around the country and although initially Electrocomp's focus was on stocking and sourcing Philips components, the management soon began to look for other component manufacturers to represent in order to enhance a growing reputation as a stocking distributor.
The first company to join the Electrocomp stable was Semikron, closely followed by Siemens who appointed Electrocomp as its sole distributor. Soon, the tiny premises were bursting at the seams and a move to two semis in Bertrams heralded the first of many moves, including premises in Old Pretoria Road and Thora Crescent, Wynberg, and in 1994 purchased a building in 11th Road, Kew. Branches were also established in this period in Cape Town, Natal and Pretoria, all independently stocked in order to meet electronic component demand countrywide. A value-added company called Transtronics was also established to specialise in the manufacture of transformers, assembling of PC boards and cable harness assembly.
Space in Kew was once again at a premium in 1998 and the decision to move to Linbro Business Park in Sandton, with its easy access to all major highways, seemed a practical and necessary solution in maintaining the high level of service that Electrocomp strives to provides its customers with, in all sectors of the electronic component market.
Today, the company is housed in 3000 m2 of custom-built office and warehouse, together with Siemens Components, providing a close partnership designed to offer innovative solutions and exceptional service. Electrocomp employs over 100 staff countrywide and is South Africa's major independent component distributor.
Electrocomp is today franchised for the following brands: Bourns, Catalyst, Diotec, Goodark, Infineon, Ligitek, NJRC, Osram Opto, Semikron, TDK, Zilog, BC Components, Daewoo Tantalum Capacitors, Datavision, Epcos, Ferroxcube, Fischer Elektronik, Hitano, Karson, Magnum, Molex, Phycomp, Supprescraft, Tyco Electronics and Weidmüller PC terminals. Most of these brands are stocked and distributed solely by the company. It is also able to source any other brands through its vast network of contacts worldwide.
Today, the company has a strong base of customers countrywide and also exports into Africa as well as countries as far away as Australia and North America. There are five delivery vehicles in Gauteng alone, ensuring delivery of orders within 24 h. Electrocomp is one of the major players in component distribution today and has formed numerous partners with some of the largest OEMs in the country.
Electrocomp this year is celebrating its 'Back to the Future' 21st anniversary.
| Tel: | +27 11 458 9000 |
| Fax: | +27 11 458 9034/5 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.electrocomp.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about Electrocomp |
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