CIE Components in Electronics
Kitronik, a Nottingham based electronics company which specialises in developing electronics project kits and learning resources for schools and home hobbyists, will now sell its range of micro:bit accessories in the U.S. following the signing of a distribution agreement with MCM Electronics.
Enthusiasm for the micro:bit
The deal is a sign of the growing demand for the micro:bit in the U.S. amongst electronics enthusiasts and makers. Kitronik, one of only two global wholesalers of the device for the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, is now one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of micro:bit accessories and this deal will significantly expand the company’s distribution network in the U.S.
Kitronik will supply MCM Electronics with its full range of micro:bit accessories which include Kitronik Inventor’s Kit, Motor Driver Board, Cases, Breakout Boards, mi:power Board and many more. The full product range is available to view here.
Tim Goodman, business development manager at Kitronik comments: “This agreement is a marvellous opportunity for the company. It means that our products will be sold through one of the biggest electronics distributors in the U.S. giving us access to a huge marketplace. To have secured an agreement for one product line would have been good, but to have our whole micro:bit accessories range available in the U.S. will be of great significance for Kitronik.”
The micro:bit will be officially launched in America on 26 June at ISTE 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. This will further increase the profile and awareness of the pocket sized coding device amongst schools, makers and coders across North America.
U.S. distribution
Established for over 40 years, MCM Electronics, which is based in Ohio, is one of the premier distributors in the consumer electronics industry. It currently stocks a range of 40,000 products, from 600+ quality vendors and has access to over 1.5 million electronic parts and related products.
The company is part of Premier Farnell PLC. Formed in 1996, Premier Farnell plc is a global, business-to-business, small order, high service distributor of electronic components and industrial products to the design, maintenance and engineering sectors. Premier Farnell operates in 21 countries and trades in over 100, with approximately 4,650 employees worldwide.
Premier Farnell was granted a license to sell the micro:bit after the device became commercially available in June 2016. The distribution agreement signed by Kitronik will enable U.S. consumers to conveniently purchase the micro:bit and Kitronik’s range of accessories directly from one supplier.
Tim Goodman adds: “Although we have exported to numerous countries via our website for several years, working with the world’s largest electronics distributor will open up numerous future opportunities for Kitronik, not just in the U.S. but in other countries too.”
Continued growth for Kitronik
The agreement is the latest step in Kitronik’s impressive growth. 2017 is the company’s 11th year in business, a year which has seen its turnover increase by 93 per cent, with three new members of staff joining the company to meet increased customer demand for its products.
