Avnet, Inc. Acquires Brazilian Distributor

PHOENIX (PROTEXT) - Roy Vallee, Chairman and Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today announced that Avnethas completed the acquisition of a 70-percent interest in BridgeInternational, one of Brazil's largest electronics componentdistributors with sales of approximately $7 million ($US) in itslatest fiscal year. As the majority shareholder of BridgeInternational, Avnet will rename the business Avnet do Brasil.Headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the new entity will operateas a member of Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas (EMA) underthe direction of regional manager, Jose Luis Vara. Mr. Vara willreport to Beth Ely, Avnet EMA Vice President/Area Director ofLatin America. Avnet do Brasil will offer electronic components to customersin this region, as well as the value-added services of AvnetIntegrated Material Services (IMS). Operations in Brazil willinclude a dedicated Avnet EMA sales team, administration and anelectronic components warehouse. "Avnet do Brasil was created in response to our globalstrategy to offer services in every country where electroniccomponents are needed," said Mr. Church, President of Avnet EMA."As many of our global customers are establishing new orexpanding existing operations, they are asking Avnet to locate inBrazil to support their electronic component requirements. Avnetdo Brasil will allow these customers, as well as new customers inBrazil, to access Avnet inventories, plus our Integrated MaterialServices." According to Mr. Church, many of these customers want localinventory which translates into products better tailored to theirneeds, faster inventory replenishment and more efficient just-in-time delivery. A strong technical focus was a key reason for Avnet'sacquisition of Bridge International. Avnet and Bridge share asimilar vision of the importance of demand creation and recognizethe opportunities of introducing Avnet's strength in demandfulfillment through Avnet IMS offerings. "We are confident thatAvnet do Brasil will capitalize on each firm's strengths andcreate a company with a tremendous value proposition for theBrazilian components market," Mr. Church added. "The Bridge International team and I are very enthusiastic andexcited about joining the Avnet team and implementing a newdistribution concept in the Brazilian market," said Mr. Vara. "Weare sure that Avnet do Brasil will fulfill customers' needs forcompetitiveness and success. Avnet do Brasil's aim is to becomethe recognized leader in electronic components distribution inBrazil." About Bridge International: Bridge International Comercio EImportacao Ltda. was founded in 1992 to service thetelecommunications, computer, automotive, industrial andsubcontractor markets in Brazil through its Sao Paulo office andits affiliate, Excalibur International, in Boca Raton, Florida.At the time of acquisition, its lines included Analog Devices,Bourns, Power Innovations, Siemens, Temic and Texas Instruments.Bridge maintains local inventory for its customer base in Braziland provides technical support before and after sales. Itroutinely conducts technical workshops and assists withcustomers' designs. About Avnet Electronics Marketing: Avnet Electronics Marketingis an operating group of Avnet, Inc. Avnet, Inc. is a Fortune 500company with annual sales exceeding $5.9 billion. AvnetElectronics Marketing markets, inventories and adds value tosemiconductors, interconnect, passive and electromechanicalproducts, RF/microwave products and OEM systems for industrialand military equipment customers worldwide. For more information,visit the Avnet Electronics Marketing home page atwww.em.avnet.com. ots Original Text Service: Avnet, Inc.Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: John Cole,Controller, john.cole@avnet.com, or Raymond Sadowski, SVP & CFO,both of Avnet, Inc., 602-643-7291, fax 602-643-7363 Web site:http://www.em.avnet.com Web site: http://www.avnet.com

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