Premier Farnell Subsidiary Connects With Harting - Again!

Business Editors

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2002

Harting 'Broadline Distributor of the Year' Award Goes to

Farnell for the Second Successive Year

Farnell, the global marketer and distributor of electronic components and industrial products and subsidiary of Premier Farnell (NYSE: PFP, LSE: PFL), has been awarded the 'Broadline Distributor of the Year' by specialist connector manufacturer, Harting.

The award goes to Farnell for the second consecutive year, in recognition of strong sales growth on point of sale and point of purchase achieved by Farnell over the past year.

The award is a hallmark of the strong relationship built between the two companies since their alliance began in 1997. In April 2000, Farnell and Harting signed a Global Supplier Agreement, which gives customers around the world easy and fast access to Harting products through Farnell's global presence, cutting edge eCommerce capabilities, and local expertise and support. In 2001, Farnell won the Harting Broadline Distributor award in reflection of new customers gained and new products introduced for Harting in the UK.

Commenting on Farnell's continued success, Simon Asbury, Electronic Distribution Manager, Harting, said: "This award has been given in recognition of Farnell's results-oriented approach and impressive sales growth achievement for Harting connectors, especially in a year when the market conditions have been extremely tough. We are delighted to see that our relationship with Farnell UK is growing steadily, delivering very successful results for Harting in one of our major markets."

Harting is a leading international connectors manufacturer, founded in Germany in 1945 and still 100 percent family owned. Harting has 30 subsidiaries throughout Europe, America and Asia, and employs 2,400 people worldwide.

Gary Nevison, Head of Product and Supplier Development, Farnell, added: "Our sustained investment in leading edge technology and personalized customer service strengthens our offering to our clients around the world, and enables us to achieve impressive sales growth for our suppliers. Winning the Harting award for the second consecutive year underlines the success of our strategy and highlights how working together with suppliers like Harting, known for their innovative and broad product range, benefits not only our two companies but above all our customers. Our challenge now is to win the Harting award again next year!"

Note to editors:

About Premier Farnell plc

Formed in 1996, Premier Farnell plc (LSE: PFL, NYSE: PFP) 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 22 countries and trades in over 100, with 5,500 employees worldwide. Companies within the Premier Farnell Group include Farnell, CPC, Buck & Hickman, Kent, Newark (USA), MCM (USA) and Akron Brass (USA). Listed on the London and New York Stock Exchanges, Premier Farnell recorded an operating profit for the year ended 28th January 2001 of (pound)115million ($173million) on sales of (pound)876million ($1.3billion). The Group services 1.25 million customers worldwide, stocks 360,000 items, has access to 3 million more and represents 3,000 major manufacturer brands. The Group's multi-channel approach includes call centers, field sales force, trade counters, branch network, catalogues, direct mail and web based services and e-procurement. In 1999, the company began its 'Investment for Growth' program. This will transform the company from a 'one solution fits all' approach into a highly customer-oriented, proactive organization capable of providing high quality products and services to meet the individual needs of all its customers. For further information, visit www.premierfarnell.com

About Harting in the UK

Harting Ltd, the manufacturer of electrical and electronic interconnection products, was founded in 1980 at Biggin Hill, Kent and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harting KGaA, a privately owned German company. Since 1990, it has been in Northampton where it employs 70 people. Harting has been at the leading edge of connection technology in the UK for more than twenty years. Its success is based upon unparalleled service, quality manufacturing, an innovative and broad product range, and belief in and support of its people. Harting has an Investor in People accreditation and is ISO 9001 certified. For further information, visit www.harting.co.uk.