afdec was formed in 1970 and has grown to include over one hundred member companies with an almost equal mix of distributors and manufacturers (manufacturers are known as "Sustaining Members"). The distributors account for over half the distribution business in the UK. afdec's aim is to further the cause of franchised distribution throughout the United Kingdom and to expand the market, optimising the benefits to all concerned - manufacturers, distributors and end users. Raising the status and overall market image of franchised distributors in general, and of afdec members in particular, is also a major objective. The practical benefits of membership are identified separately. afdec's objectives will be achieved by
afdec's key activities include -
STATISTICS - MONTHLY Each month afdec gathers statistics from its distributor members and summarises bookings, billings, inventory, stock turn/earn ratio, debtors, gross margin, etc., split down by semiconductors, passives and electromechanical components and, where appropriate, into more detailed sub-categories. These monthly statistics enable members to check their own trends against those of the industry. STATISTICS - QUARTERLY afdec's quarterly commentary is a summary of the monthly performance but with the added commentary by both the Chairman and the professional Economist that afdec retains on behalf of members. STATISTICS - ANNUAL BENCHMARKING PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS 8 INDICES This is a graphical summary of all the key operating parameters within the electronic component distribution industry covering GM%, sales per employee, staff costs per invoice, plus many others. STATISTICS - GENERAL afdec regularly publishes statistics on various topics. A recent example has been a split of the sales of Microprocessors & Memory to the PC market. This indicates just how important the PC sector has become to the industry. FORECAST - ANNUAL In order to provide a sound basis for the business planning process afdec produces the afdec annual forecast, which is published each November. Members have the opportunity of getting together once a year in October to agree forecast demand down to individual product categories. Participants have found this process both informative, rewarding and is a vital element of afdec's business. The annual statistics are now an "industry standard" document and contain both historical trends and forward forecasts of market movement. This is a major document which is also sold to non-members and has become one of the key indicators for the industry. PROJECTS afdec regularly carries out special studies of the electronics industry. For example a recent study highlighted the requirements of the Contract Manufacturing sector in terms of component purchasing requirements. A second current project is the RoHS one discussed beow. WEEE and RoHS DIRECTIVES With the impending legislation on the recycling of electronic equipment and the restriction of hazardous substances such as lead and cadmium from electronic components, afdec have developed a major initiative headed by Gary Nevison of Premier Farnell, aimed at presenting a common approach from all distributors in the UK. COUNCIL afdec has a Council, elected from nominated representatives of member companies and representing all areas of electronic component distribution. afdec
MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS You may join afdec by submitting a request to join in the appropriate category of membership. A list of distributor members is available via
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