Dual Celebrations Commemorate
Successful Panasonic/Digi-Key Relationship
Thief River Falls, MN and Osaka, Japan – January 31, 2007 – The longstanding, successful relationship between Panasonic and Digi-Key Corporation was commemorated in 2006 with celebrations on both sides of the Pacific, first in August with a company-wide observance at Digi-Key’s facility in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and most recently in Osaka, Japan where Panasonic is headquartered.
The year 2006 marked the 30-year anniversary between Panasonic and the electronic component distributor. “These celebrations commemorated an important milestone,” said Digi-Key President Mark Larson. “Panasonic is Digi-Key’s top selling supplier partner, and Digi-Key is Panasonic’s top distributor. We’re a good team. We have a good relationship, one that is built not only on the success of the past but potential for future successes as well.”
The ThiefRiverFalls celebration spanned several days, concluding with a company-wide picnic and traditional Kagami Wari (sake barrel breaking) ceremony on Wednesday, August 23. Top officials from both companies participated in the ceremony. Panasonic visitors to ThiefRiverFalls included individuals from a number of North American sales rep firms, regional sales management along with top US sales management team members and several Panasonic guests from Japan.
Ceremonies rich in Japanese tradition highlighted the celebration event held in November at the New Otani Hotel in Osaka, Japan. Mark Larson and several other company officials and employees made up the entourage that traveled from Digi-Key to Japan for the event. In addition to the 76 representatives attending from factories and sales and marketing divisions across Japan, a number of representatives attended from Panasonic Industrial Company USA as well. Also in attendance from the US were individuals from Panasonic manufacturer’s rep firms, including Electromark, Luscombe Engineering, O’Donnell Sales and Rendell Sales.
Comments by Panasonic officials included the following: “It was my great pleasure to attend the reception celebrating the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Digi-Key and Panasonic,” said the Director of Electronic Components Division, Panasonic Industrial Co.“We at Panasonic value our relationship with Digi-Key as our key distribution partner for Panasonic products. We congratulate Digi-Key on their success and look forward to growing with them in the future.”
A Panasonic executive officer/director said of the event, “The 30th anniversary reconfirmed my determination to provide the strongest support for sales strategies that will further increase Panasonic sales through Digi-Key. This will serve to strengthen and deepen the Panasonic/Digi-Key relationship as we move forward together.”
“Through my participation in the Panasonic/Digi-Key anniversary celebration events, I have reconfirmed the value of our great history of partnership kept for so many years as well as my determination to keep making the best efforts for further expansion of business through nurturing a stronger partnership,” commented another Panasonic director.
Panasonic Industrial Company has a long, distinguished history of serving the North American manufacturing sector. As part ofPanasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic is committed to the quality, reliability and continuous improvement with research and development that ranks among the industry’s best.
Founded in 1972 by Dr. Ronald Stordahl, Digi-Key Corporation is one of the world’s fastest growing distributors of electronic components. Shipping approximately 10,000 orders a day to customers in more than 140 countries, Digi-Key is able to serve a global market from its single location in Thief River Falls, Minnesota due to operational efficiencies and the strong work ethic and dedication of its nearly 1,800 employees. Having climbed from 20th to 6th largest distributor in North America in just eight years, Digi-Key enjoys rapid growth while holding firm to the simple business ethic Stordahl and his early employees embraced 34 years ago – to provide customers with the best possible service.
“Although celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Panasonic/Digi-Key business relationship is important, much more significant is the significant sales growth achieved as a result of this relationship,” Digi-Key President Mark Larson said.
Caption for Photograph:
Representatives from Panasonic and Digi-Key Corporation participated in a Kagami Wari (sake barrel breaking) ceremony at the New Otani Hotel in Osaka, Japan in November. A similar ceremony was held at Digi-Key headquarters in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA in August. The ceremonies were part of dual celebrations held in both locations to commemorate the successful, 30-year relationship between Panasonic and the electronic component distributor.
About Digi-Key Corporation
One of the world’s fastest growing distributors of electronic components, Digi-Key has earned its reputation as an industry leader through its total commitment to service and performance. As a full service provider of both prototype/design and production quantities of electronic components, Digi-Key has been ranked #1 for Overall Performance for 15 consecutive years from among the nation’s more than 200 distributors (EE Times Distribution Study/May 2006). Offering more than 850,000 parts from more than 330 quality, name-brand manufacturers, Digi-Key’s commitment to inventory is unparalleled. Access to the company’s broad product offering is available 24/7 on Digi-Key’s top-rated Web site,
Editorial Contact for Digi-Key
Steven G. Tsukichi
Vice President of Marketing
Digi-Key Corporation
218-681-6674, ext.1001