Useless local distributors !!

I know there is not much electronics manufacturing left in Australia these days but I now find the local distributors to be next to useless.

As an example we need around 100 zilog z8 encore chips for an up coming job. The local distributor has quoted a lead-time of 8-10 weeks, MOQ 180pcs at a price of $6.34ea with $12.00 post and handling. I can buy the same part on-line from Digikey or Mouser for $5.50 delivered within around a week and I can buy the quantity I need (100pcs).

The only advantage I can see in using the local distributor is we have an account with them. Their technical support is useless, they don't keep samples or any stock and their lead times are terrible.

Is everyone else in manufacturing having the same problems? What future do local distributors have in Australia now on-line buying houses are available?

Regards, Dean.

Reply to
dean
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That's a non-brainer then! :->

Has it ever really been any different?

Not much really, although they are often the only way you can get the more specialised parts you can't get through the stock providers.

Farnell/RS/Digikey/Mouser et.al are the go, even if you have to pay more. Time to market is the killer these days, who can wait 2/4/6/8/10+ weeks for a part? Well, actually I've worked on several military projects were that isn't an issue at all :->

A lot of my stuff these days has ridulously small time to market, you've gotta get that part same day or next day or the world will end...

Dave :)

Reply to
David L. Jones

Unless you are manufacturing with large quantities, and are prepared to schedule deliveries of jelly bean components from vendors, then you should be prepared to source your specific components from overseas suppliers. Hong Kong, China, US, etc have good suppliers. Manufacturers have their own schedules though, and distributors have to fit within that framework, especially if the manufacturer has long lead times on their components.

However, be prepared to march with your wallet to other vendors in full view of the local distributor. If they see that you're serious about sourcing the components o/seas, they will try to win back your business, especially if it means that you will source the remaining components in your product(s) from other vendors.

I've never thought that local disti's have had a good future, especially since on-line vendors are around. However, the upshot of it is, is that if the local can't give you what you want cheaply, someone else will. It's just competition, which I feel is good for the marketplace.

Currently we're buying components here and shipping them across to China, and getting the finished products back within a week or so. But I can see that we're going to outsource locally sourced components to overseas vendors soon.

We've offloaded our pcb manufacturing and board stuffing to China.

70c to load a 4 layer board with about two hundred surface mount components, both sides is a pretty good price, and the quality is good. We had some issues with some manufacturers, but found a good one. We still do the programming and testing in-house though.
Reply to
dmm

I feel your pain. However, 100pcs is small, and 8-10weeks is fairly standard and has been for a while now.

Shop around. Some distributers are good, some are shit. I do get pissed off with the samples. However in saying that, I dont expect them to carry a sample of every part that I want.

The problem with online buying is shipping and import duties. Small quantities ok. large bad. If you want more that 100pcs or you are doing a run of 100+ boards then it is time to be looking offshore. You will find much better prices, much better quality (even ex china) and much higher yeild rates. As an added bonus, some offshore manufacturers will even cover the cost of EMI and electrical compliance, so long as you dont mind working in with them.

Mind you, I am about 4 years out of hardware design now, so I am going on the very few contract jobs that I do, abd no distributer likes small time contractors.....$$$$

Reply to
The Real Andy

Hello DMM,

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Yep. Ye olde capitalism at its best. Works all the time.

Absolutely.

That might also save some customs paperwork. Every time merchandise crosses a border chances are it gets taxed. So the least number of border crossings is usually best.

Can you tell us which one? And if you give us your name and we use them we could tell them you recommended the company. Then maybe next time you visit they'd really roll out the red carpet ;-)

Regards, Joerg

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Reply to
Joerg

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