Digi-Key Corporation and Powerex, Inc. Announce Distribution Agreement for North America

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minnesota and Youngwood, Pennsylvania - February 24, 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, and Powerex, Inc. announced today that the companies have entered into an agreement for the distribution of Powerex products in North America.

In stock and available for immediate shipment from Digi-Key are Powerex's IGBT modules, Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs), thyristor power switches, DC/DC converters, and high power diode modules.

Slated to be featured in future print and online catalogs, these products are now available for purchase on Digi-Key's US and Canadian websites.

A leading supplier of discrete, modular and integrated high power semiconductor solutions, Powerex products support numerous markets, including AC, DC, and Servo Drives; aircraft; alternative energy and distributed power; electric vehicles; induction heating; industrial pump controls; medical power supplies; transportation; uninterruptible power supplies (UPS); welding; and white goods and HVAC.

Dave Doherty, Digi-Key vice president of semiconductor product said, "Powerex's commitment to consistently deliver value and quality makes this company a good match for Digi-Key. We are very pleased to partner with this world-class organization and make its innovative portfolio of both discrete and modular high-power solutions available to our diverse customer base."

"Powerex is delighted to add Digi-Key to our select line-up of distributors. Digi-Key has the reputation for top-notch support of engineers building prototypes as well as logistics expertise. These attributes are consistent with our goal to reach new customers and provide service for production needs," said Kathy Cullen, Powerex distributor sales manager for North America.

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 Powerex, Inc.

Powerex is a leading supplier of discrete, modular, and integrated high power semiconductor solutions, supporting many markets, including, AC, DC, and servo drives, aircraft, alternative energy, electric vehicles, induction heating, industrial pump controls, medical power supplies, transportation, uninterruptible power supplies, welding, and white goods and HVAC. For more information, visit www.pwrx.com.