BEIJING, Nov. 23--Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Supply Chain Giant and Technology Pioneer Host Solution Seminars in Shenzhen, Chengdu, Fuzhou and Shanghai to Support the Drive Toward more Advanced Products Avnet Electronics Marketing, the largest operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), has joined forces with Freescale Semiconductor to help Chinese consumer electronics manufacturers compete in an increasingly crowded market. During the last month, the supply chain giant and technology pioneer has held a series of solution seminars in Shenzhen, Chengdu, Fuzhou and Shanghai to support the drive toward more advanced products. Industry sources predict that China's production of consumer electronics devices will top US$67 billion by the end of 2005, representing an increase of some 22 per cent on 2004. However, the high growth rate has also brought increasing competition, prompting some manufacturers to improve their supply chains and shift research and production toward more advanced products in a bid to remain more competitive. "Analysts suggest that China's electronics industry will use nearly US$60 billion worth of ICs this year, 94 per cent of which will have been imported," said Raymond Leung, regional president of China, Avnet Electronics Marketing. "The Avnet and Freescale seminar series was designed to achieve two goals -- help manufacturers choose the appropriate IC solutions for their products, and evaluate their supply chains to ensure that they support production rather than hinder it." Avnet Electronics Marketing and Freescale are well placed to help Chinese manufacturers address the pressures that are building in the fast-growing but extremely competitive industry. Avnet Electronics Marketing markets, distributes and adds value to a wide variety of electronic components, enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems, bringing a breadth and depth of capabilities that help its trading partners accelerate growth and realise cost efficiencies. Freescale provides original equipment manufacturers with chips to help drive advanced cell phones, manage Internet traffic and help make vehicles safer and more energy efficient. "As China continues its journey toward being the world's electronics manufacturing powerhouse, its manufacturers are also keen to move further up the value chain," said Andy Lim, director of Sales Distribution for Freescale's Asia Pacific region. "Freescale is committed to help Chinese firms achieve that goal, offering them world-class solutions that will enable them to compete globally." The seminars were designed to cover a lot of ground and the highlights included: -- A Zigbee application and solution showcase -- Introduction to 8/16bit MCUs and DSCs -- LDMOS -- Low G sensor application in portable devices -- USB transceivers/chargers -- i.MX home entertainment solutions -- Introduction to automotive total solutions -- Total solutions for CAR MP3 CDs "China's electronics manufacturing industry has clearly moved beyond the stereotype of make-it-fast and keep-it-cheap. Today, China possesses an increasingly skilled workforce, a growing army of creative engineers and internationally recognised brands such as Haier, TCL and Lenovo," said Mr.Leung of Avnet. "Avnet Electronics Marketing is pleased to be playing its part in helping some of China's leading manufacturers enhance their processes as well as their products." About Avnet Avnet, Inc., (NYSE: AVT) enables success from the centre of the technology industry, providing cost-effective services and solutions vital to a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and 300 suppliers. The company markets, distributes and adds value to a wide variety of electronic components, enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems. Through its premier market position, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of capabilities that help its trading partners accelerate growth and realise cost efficiencies. Avnet, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is one of the world's largest technology marketing, distribution and services companies. Avnet and recently acquired company, Memec, generated combined revenue in excess of US$13 billion in the past year through sales in 68 countries. Avnet Electronics Marketing is the largest operating group of Avnet Inc., serving a wide range of customers including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers, and small-to-medium customers in 68 countries, distributing electronic components from leading manufacturers and providing associated design-chain and supply-chain services. The company's web site is located at http://www.em.avnet.com. For further information please contact: Lai Peng Tan: Tel: +852-2410-2735 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Avnet Electronics Marketing --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--