Avnet Electronics Marketing Gains No. 2 Global Interconnect Manufacturer, FCI.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 1999--

Avnet Electronics Marketing (EM), the No. 1 global distributor of interconnect products, has signed a North American distribution agreement with FCI, the second-largest global manufacturer of interconnect products. Avnet EM will distribute the complete line of commercial interconnect products from FCI's Electronics Business Group, including its best-selling two-piece backpanel connectors, post and box interconnect system, modjacks, miniature board-to-board connectors, PC card connectors and sockets. Both companies have agreed to expand the relationship globally as quickly as possible.

Avnet EM will offer a technical staff of field business development managers to support FCI customers' interconnect design-in efforts. In addition, Avnet EM's commercial interconnect design site (Connectors On Line -- www.ipe-tools.com) features a part search by industry standard and supplier brand name, plus a 24-hour response time for customer technical questions. Value-added services provided by Avnet EM will include cutting breakaway headers, as well as manufacturing custom cable assemblies.

"Customers are demanding access to a broad product offering from their distribution partners," said Gary Oliver, director of Avnet Electronics Marketing's Interconnect Product Business Unit. "FCI's well-rounded product offering and excellent print position, combined with Avnet EM's industry-leading interconnect line card, enables us to service the vast majority of our customers' interconnect requirements."

"As the demand for value-added solutions and services continues to grow, we see Avnet as one of the leaders and a valuable partner to us in fulfilling these increasing demands, especially at the largest OEMs and contract manufacturers," said Lew LaFornara, vice president of distribution for FCI. "In fact, many of our largest customers have aligned themselves either directly or indirectly through IMS with Avnet, and have expressed a desire, or, in some cases, a demand that we work through Avnet."

About FCI Electronics Group

FCI Electronics Group is the largest of five strategic business units within FCI (Framatome Connectors International). FCI, part of Framatome (a leading European industrial group based in Paris, France), is a global company with over 17,000 people and more than 60 production facilities, operating in 28 countries throughout the world and in 15 major languages. FCI's sales will reach $2 billion by the year 2000. FCI acquired Berg Electronics in October 1998, almost doubling its capacity and opening up dynamic new opportunities to serve its customers in the United States. FCI has rapidly developed a leadership position as a worldwide supplier of electronic and electrical connectors and interconnection systems. FCI connectors are used in the datacom, telecom, automotive, consumer, controls and instrumentation, electrical power and construction, industrial equipment, aerospace and military markets. For more information, visit the FCI Web sites at www.fciconnect.com and www.berg.com.

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT). Phoenix, Arizona-based Avnet, Inc., a Fortune 500 company with annual sales exceeding $6.35 billion, is one of the world's largest distributors of semiconductors, interconnect, passive and electromechanical components and computer products from leading manufacturers. Serving customers in 59 countries, Avnet markets, inventories and adds value to these products and provides world-class supply-chain integration, engineering design and technical services. The company's Web site is located at www.avnet.com.