Avnet Computer Marketing Europe Achieves ISO 9001/2000 Quality Management Certification.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

DIEGEM, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2001

Avnet Computer Marketing, Hall-Mark Division (Avnet Hall-Mark), a leading worldwide value-added distributor of enterprise computing products, software, storage and services, received ISO 9001/2000 certification for its European headquarters, warehouse and integration centre in Belgium, as well as all Avnet Computer Marketing affiliates in all European countries, obtaining the most comprehensive level of certification available.

The new ISO 9001/2000 standard, which replaced the previous standards of ISO 9001, ISO 9002 and ISO 9003, is based upon eight quality management principles: customer focused organization, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, systems approach to management, continual improvement, factual approach to decision making and mutually beneficial supplier relationships.

"We overachieved the requirements expected by the new ISO 9001/2000 standard and reached the highest levels, `Operations Excellence' and `Management Excellence,'" said George Smith, president of Avnet Computer Marketing Europe.

"In achieving the ISO 9001/2000 certification, Avnet Computer Marketing Europe demonstrated that we consistently uphold the highest standards of business operations and management practices."

Avnet CM Europe received recommendation for the ISO 9001/2000 certification as a result of an audit conducted by SGS-ICS Hamburg, an international certification organization, providing professional management systems and certification services. During the certification process, SGS-ICS Hamburg verified compliance with quality standards at Avnet CM.

The audit determined the conformity and effectiveness of Avnet Computer Marketing's quality management systems, which met the ISO standard. The audit team found the application and implementation of the quality system at Avnet Computer Marketing to be complete, effective and well documented.

In particular, elements such as the management commitment, the flow-chart application of process mapping, and customer involvement were noted to be an integral part of the business plan and processes. ISO 9001/2000 is the most distinguished and difficult designation to obtain because it incorporates maintaining superior quality standards for both the manufacturing and design aspects of the organization.

"The entire Avnet Computer Marketing team throughout the facilities in Europe is committed to deliver world-class levels of operational excellence," said Harald Heutink, vice president, operations, Avnet Computer Marketing Europe. "Our commitment to ISO certification is an example of why we are recognized as the preferred value-added distributor in today's competitive business environment."

About Avnet Computer Marketing, Hall-Mark Division (Avnet Hall-Mark)

Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Avnet Computer Marketing, Hall-Mark Division is an industry leading, value-added distributor of enterprise computing systems, software, storage, network and services, marketing exclusively to the value-added reseller channel.

With locations in North America, Austria, Australia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, the Hall-Mark Division is a division of the $2.8 billion Avnet Computer Marketing Group of Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a global distributor of electronic components and computer products and services from leading manufacturers.

Avnet is a Fortune 500 company with annual sales exceeding $12.8 billion. For more information about the Hall-Mark Division, please visit its Web site at: www.hm.avnet.com/uk.