Digi-Key Expands Product Lines with C&K Components

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minnesota - April 01, 2009 — Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry's broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, announced today that it has expanded its inventory of products from global supplier partner C&K Components.

While other distributors are scaling back on inventory during the economic turndown, Digi-Key has significantly increased the number of products it stocks from C&K Components, a leading international supplier of tact switches, toggle, rocker, and pushbutton switches. Digi-Key currently stocks more than 2,300 products from C&K with approximately 2,000 additional products available as determined by manufacturer's lead-time.

Featured in Digi-Key's print and online catalogs, C&K Components' products are available for purchase in both prototype and production quantities on Digi-Key's global websites.

With the distribution industry's largest number of C&K Components SKUs, Digi-Key is currently exclusive in the stocking of C&K Components' recently introduced family of switches for severe operating conditions and heavy-duty applications, including industrial controls, farm machinery, and off-road vehicles. Series in this family include:

• ESM and DSM Series - The ESM and DSM Series devices are single and double switch modules, supplied ready to install with optional cables or connectors. Protected by silicon rubber caps and sealed to IP 65 when mounted, these modules are ideal for situations where dust, water, oil, or solvents could adversely affect the function of standard switches.
• RS and QS Series - Designed for use in front panels, multi-function grips or other switching units, the RS and QS Series switches provide tactile feedback and positive snap-point actions. The RS Series comprises two bi-directional switch models - the RS1, with a single switch function in both directions, and the RS2, which has a double function in both directions. The two QS models are quadrant switches, with either single function (four K12 switches) or double functions (eight K12 switches) in each of four different directions: up, down, left, or right.
• SR3 Series - The SR3 Series rocker switches are ideal for typical switching functions in off-road machinery such as dashboards, armrest controls, or multifunction grips. Based on highly reliable K12 switch technology, these robust rocker switches have an operating life of more than one million cycles.
• AR3 and AR5 Series - C&K's AR3 and AR5 Series analog rocker switches provide an ideal proportional function solution and are cost effective for off-road vehicle applications. Both feature Hall-Effect contactless sensing, with one sensor as standard and an optional second sensor if required. The AR3 Series rockers are available with three different actuator styles. The AR3 and AR5 fingertip rockers are extremely durable, with a rocker life of more than 2 million cycles, short circuit protection and integrated temperature compensation.

To date, Digi-Key and C&K Components have collaborated to produce two exclusive PTM Online ...On Demand® product training modules. The "Sub-Miniature Snap Switches" module discusses the ZM and LC families of snap switches, compares switches within the families, and highlights some of the applications for these switches, and the most recently added "ELUM™ Illuminated Pushbuttons" module provides an introduction to the product as well as discussion of physical and electrical options and applications for these switches.

Jeff Shafer, Digi-Key vice president of interconnect, passive, and electromechanical product, said, "Both companies committed to providing its customers with superior service, Digi-Key and C&K Components make a great team. Digi-Key is very pleased to expand its product line with C&K and assure its customers they can rely on Digi-Key to provide them with the switches they need."

Gary Mountford, C&K Components General Manager, said, "C&K is very excited about the expansion of our product availability through Dig-Key. This product extension will ensure that globally our customers will have immediate access to a far greater array of C&K's world class product capabilities through Digi-Key, a recognized world leader in product distribution and first class customer support."

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 17 consecutive years from among the nation's more than 200 distributors (EE Times Distribution Study/August 2008). Offering more than 1.5 million products from nearly 400 quality name-brand manufacturers, Digi-Key's commitment to inventory is unparalleled. Access to the company's broad product offering is available 24/7 at Digi-Key's top-rated website, www.digikey.com.

About C&K Components

C&K Components leads the industry in the design and manufacturing of detect, DIP, navigation, pushbutton, rocker, rotary, slide, snap, switchlock, tactile and toggle switches as well as smart card interconnect devices and high reliability connectors. C&K offers more than 40,000 unique part numbers that are built, priced and delivered as standard catalog items. C&K has state-of-the-art design centers in Europe, North America and Asia, which include complete in-house testing facilities in each region. C&K offers flexible manufacturing capable of scaling production from prototype design through volume production and also offers a wide range of value-added solutions, from wire leads and harnesses to complete front panel assemblies. For more information about C&K Components, visit www.ck-components.com.