Avnet Technology Solutions Launches Solutions Distribution in China

Avnet Technology Solutions, a solutions distributor of enterprise computing products and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today announced that it has launched its solutions distribution business in China, expanding its geographic footprint in the Asia Pacific region. Avnet Technology Solutions, China, builds on and extends Avnet’s existing integration and components businesses in China.

As a value-added solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions works with leading hardware and software suppliers to deliver comprehensive technology solutions to resellers and integrators. By combining knowledge of the end customer’s technology needs with a suite of sales, marketing, technical and logistics services, Avnet Technology Solutions helps its reseller partners deliver comprehensive solutions, giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace.

"We believe China has a strong and promising future as part of the world economy, and Avnet is continuing to invest in the region,” said Rick Hamada, chief operating officer, Avnet, Inc. "By expanding our presence in China we will be able to leverage the success and experience gained through our existing Chinese operations, leverage our global scale and scope, and enhance the value we bring to our suppliers and customers alike.”

Avnet first entered the China market in 1995 with a components business which now operates as Avnet Electronics Marketing and serves electronic original equipment manufacturers (EOEMs) and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers. Avnet continued to expand that business throughout the region and later opened a solutions integration center focused on embedded OEMs in Tianjin in 2006. In addition, Avnet Technology Solutions serves the component needs of system builders and integrators in China through its Computing Components division.

John Paget, president of Avnet Technology Solutions, Global, explained, "The opportunity to expand our enterprise IT solutions footprint into the growing Chinese market enables us to leverage our scale and scope as a global solutions distributor. The skills and experience of the local Chinese team provide an excellent platform for us to build and invest in one of the key markets in the Asia Pacific region. Our first major supplier partner for the Chinese business will be IBM. Throughout the world, we have a deep and wide relationship with IBM and the Chinese team is looking forward to replicating our global strategy with the local IBM team.”

Charles Kiang, Vice President, Systems and Technology Group, IBM Greater China Group (GCG), commented, "Avnet is fundamental to our success in the Chinese market. Their solutions approach to distribution will play a key role in ensuring that we are educating and enabling channel partners on IBM solutions. Their range of value-added services combined with IBM technology will provide a significant opportunity for the Chinese channel.”

KP Tang, president of Avnet Technology Solutions, Asia Pacific, added, "With the opening of our Chinese solutions distribution business, we have hired a seasoned and experienced management team that shares Avnet Technology Solutions’ commitment to provide value-added solutions that solve the business challenges of its customers. Alfred Cheng, vice president, China, and Jane Liu, general manager, China, are well-respected industry veterans who will lead the local Avnet team as we continue to invest in growth initiatives that address the increasingly complex requirements of the Chinese market. Building on our recent acquisitions and openings in Singapore/Malaysia, India and Australia, this investment is further evidence of Avnet’s commitment to be a leader in solutions distribution of information technology in the Asia Pacific region.”

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. As a global technology sales and marketing organization, Avnet Technology Solutions has sales divisions focused on specific customer segments and a select line card strategy enabling an exceptional level of attention to the needs of its customers and suppliers. For fiscal year 2008, the group served customers in more than 30 countries and generated US $7.6 billion in annual revenue. The group's Web site is www.ats.avnet.com.

About Avnet

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.