Digi-Key Trademarks "Prototype to Production"

Digi-Key Corporation, the industry leader in electronic component selection, availability and delivery, today announced that the company has received registered trademarks for the phrases, “Prototype to Production®” and “From Prototype to Production®”. This milestone marks the company’s innovation and leadership in developing and fine tuning a unique distribution model in the electronic component industry.

“Over the past decade, we’ve been honing our “hybrid” global distribution model, earning the respect of our suppliers and customers,” said Tony Harris, CMO for Digi-Key. “Shaped largely by global business dynamics and online consumer behavior, this new model delivers a new level of efficiency and economy of scale for both the design engineer and the purchaser. The uniqueness of our approach has now been deemed worthy of dedicated nomenclature and trademark registration.”

“Industry dynamics have created both opportunities and challenges for distributors,” said Brett Fox, Touchstone Semiconductor CEO. “In response to changing customer demands, Digi-Key’s next generation model supports the entire lifecycle of a product. They’ve figured out how to leverage technology, processes, and people to expand the company’s excellence in delivering single part orders to high-mix, low-volume production orders.”

“Digi-Key’s leading-edge business model is unique in its ability and strength to support product from the design phase, through new product introduction runs and high-mix/low volume production,” said Digi-Key president, Mark Larson. “Our unequaled integration of “prototype to production” capabilities allows the engineer to engage long-term with a go-to partner and confidently maintain this engagement through production. Digi-Key has proven the possibility of having a relationship that spans from design to production while avoiding the complexities, inefficiencies, and risks of managing multiple partners.”

As they seek to accelerate time to market and reduce costs, many global manufacturing customers are turning to Digi-Key, the only distributor able to support the entire process - from prototype to production.

About Digi-Key Corporation

Digi-Key Corporation, based in Thief River Falls, Minn., is a global, full-service provider of both prototype/design and production quantities of electronic components, offering more than three million products from over 650 quality name-brand manufacturers at www.digikey.com.

With over 860,000 products in stock, an impressive selection of online resources, and the logistical advantage of more than 800,000 square feet of expandable distribution space, Digi-Key continues to move forward, affirming its commitment to stocking the broadest range of electronic components in the industry and providing the best service possible to its customers.

Digi-Key’s totally integrated, Internet-engaged business model, coupled with its industry-leading breadth of components available for immediate shipment anywhere in the world from a single location, clearly differentiates Digi-Key from all other distributors. Digi-Key offers customers a unique approach to a high-mix, low volume production business strategy by transferring much inventory risk and carrying costs from the customer to Digi-Key. From Prototype to Production®, Digi-Key has the components and resources necessary to grow your business to the next level.

The company’s online offerings and resources include PTM® product training modules; TechZoneSM technology zones; Digi-Key toolbar; and a Mobile and Social Center.

Additional information and access to Digi-Key’s broad product offering is available at www.digikey.com.