IO Components says it plans to offer customers a full range of distribution services plus specialist design, test, and manufacturing support, to enable even those companies new to ultra low power wireless and RF design to get products to market fast
Ultra low power (ULP) RF specialist Nordic Semiconductor ASA (OSE: NOD) today announces that it has expanded its U.K. and Ireland distribution network with the appointment of British distributor, IO Components Limited.
The agreement covers all of Nordic Semiconductor’s ISM (Industrial, Scientific & Medical) band (433MHz, 868MHz, 915MHz and 2.4GHz) transceivers and supporting solutions, including Bluetooth low energy / Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ wireless technologies.
IO Components says it aims to become a ‘one-stop-shop’ distribution, contract manufacturing, and test service provider (via its ISO 9001/14001 and OHSAS 18001-certified sister company IO Electronics) for ULP wireless to allow any company in the U.K. and Ireland to get products to market quickly: from initial concept all the way up to distribution to end customers, even if they have little or no previous RF experience.
“We are in the middle of a wireless revolution with ULP wireless right at the center,” comments Paul Bundy, Sales & Marketing Manager at IO Components who joined the company from another U.K. distributor where he was directly responsible for the Nordic Semiconductor product lines for over 13 years, and has worked within the U.K. distribution market for almost 25 years. “And within the ULP wireless sector, Nordic Semiconductor is undoubtedly the global leader.”
Bundy continues: “I am delighted that IO Components recognizes the importance of this market segment and have given me the opportunity to continue my long-term association with Nordic Semiconductor. We plan to offer customers a full range of distribution services including design, manufacture, test, packaging, and approvals [through IO Component’s sister contract manufacturing company IO Electronics] that will allow even companies that are new to RF design to develop ULP wireless products and applications locally in the U.K. and Ireland ready for volume manufacture overseas if and when required.”
“The U.K. and Ireland remain an active and particularly innovative segment of the European electronics design industry, while playing host to the overseas offices of a large number of multinational giants across a range of industries,” comments Geir Langeland, Nordic Semiconductor’s Director of Sales & Marketing. “But with the advent of Bluetooth low energy wireless technology, the range of products and applications relevant to ULP wireless is expanding rapidly and we are keen to add partners such as IO Components that can offer a full range of support services to companies that may have little or no previous RF – or indeed electronics – design and manufacturing expertise and experience.”
