1934
Newark Electronics founded.
Our heritage
Our history started over 80 years ago with two businesses on opposite sides of the Atlantic, each breaking new ground as the radio industry was changing the way the world communicated. The entrepreneurial start-ups known as Farnell in Europe and Newark in North America each began with a simple mission – help customers get the parts they need, when they need it.
The world has changed a lot since the 1930s. The radio engineer has given way to other sorts of engineers: maintenance and facilities engineers, industrial engineers, design engineers, student engineers, and the purchasing professionals who work with them. And what was a simple trade counter and catalogue business has evolved into a global technology company, with over 30,000 products shipped per day.
Along the way we have charted our own course, delivering industry first innovations that have defined what is expected of a high-service distributor.
1939
A.C.Farnell Limited founded.
1990’s
First to offer eProcurement capabilities.
1996
Premier Farnell plc established following Farnell’s purchase of Premier Electronics, which included the Newark Electronics, MCM and Akron Brass brands.
2008
iBuy launched.
2009
element14 Community launched; introduced DesignLink and award-winning biodegradable packaging; joined the United Nations Global Compact; acquisition of CadSoft.
2010
The Ben Heck Show debuts; achieved Platinum level status in the Business in the Community Index; Asia Pacific region becomes element14.
2011
The Knode on element14 launched; listed in the Dow Jones sustainability index; element14 TV debuts.
2012
Launch of the Raspberry Pi computer; acquisition of Embest.
2014
Acquisition of AVID Technologies.
2016
New proposition “The Development Distributor” launches, displaying how Premier Farnell businesses support customers develop themselves, their products and businesses and the next generation of engineers.
2016
Premier Farnell acquired by Avnet Bidco Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Avnet, Inc. and delisted from the London Stock Exchange.
2019
Farnell element14 rebranded Farnell, An Avnet Company. Newark element14 rebranded Newark, An Avnet company. Premier Farnell rebranded Farnell, globally.