Vital Statistics

Annual Sales:	$1.5 billion plus
Number of Employees:	2,500 plus
Facility:	600,000 square feet (55,741 square meters)
Products Stocked:	600,000 plus
Manufacturers Represented:	470 plus
Inbound WATS lines:	216
Calls/Year:	2 million plus
Faxes/Year:	320,000 plus
Orders Processed/Year:	3.4 million plus
Customers Served/Year:	450,000 plus
Sites Served/Year:	329,000 plus
Orders Shipped Same Day:	99.9%

Unique Business Philosophy

It started in 1972 with an idea, a new concept in distribution. Today, Digi-Key Corporation is one of the fastest-growing electronic component distributors in the World. The stimulus for this growth is Digi-Key's customer-centered business philosophy. Simply stated, we provide the customer with the absolute best service possible.

Service: The Formula For Success

In only six years, Digi-Key has moved from 16th largest to 5th largest among the more than 300 electronic component distributors in North America. "We believe Digi-Key provides the best service in the industry," says Digi-Key president Mark Larson. "With a nearly 22 percent compound annual rate of sales growth over the past 20 years—none as a result of acquisition—there is perhaps no greater testimony to the quality Digi-Key provides its customers. Service is what differentiates one distributor from another. Service is what differentiates Digi-Key from other electronic component distributors. Superior service and breadth and quality of product offered are key factors in driving Digi-Key's growth internationally."

Redefining Distribution

There are several distinctive factors that make Digi-Key truly unique:

• We have no outside sales force.
• Digi-Key serves an international market from a single, geographically centralized location.
• We are committed to a "fill-rate" of better than 95 percent, compared to an industry average of 50 percent or less.
• Digi-Key provides Same-Day Shipment on orders entered by 8:00pm Central Time (USA).
• Our marketing program is among the largest and most comprehensive in the industry.
• Digi-Key is an electronic component distributor that has embraced and successfully integrated the competitive advantages that leading edge technology provides.

Digi-Key's unique vision of the future of distribution and the courage to act on that vision is what makes us an industry leader among electronic component distributors.

Digi-Key's Web site, first launched in 1995, offers complete online commerce capabilities along with 24/7 instant access to a broad-based, multi-million dollar product inventory. A state-of-the-art order fulfillment system enables Digi-Key to process orders—from order entry to shipping—in as little as 15 minutes! Digi-Key processes hundreds of thousands of Internet orders for customers around the world each year.

Digi-Key: Top Ratings in the Industry

This advanced technology and commitment to service has consistently earned Digi-Key top ratings within the industry, including:

• #1 Availability of Product
• #1 On-Time Delivery
• #1 Overall Performance
• #1 Internet Site

Marketing efforts proactively expanded into Canada in 1997, and the company's strong Internet presence continues to drive expansion into Japan, Europe as well as other international markets.

Customers Vote for Digi-Key with a Wide Variety of International Currencies

The electronics industry is truly dynamic. Digi-Key represents one of the fastest-growing electronic component distributors within that marketplace. The company's remarkable sales growth and its ability to consistently out perform the industry is the best evidence of Digi-Key's superior service. The customer speaks loudest with the US Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Taiwan Dollar, New Zealand Dollar, Australian Dollar, British Pound, Danish Krone, Norwegian Krone, Swedish Krona, and Euro.

Digi-Key is growing at a rapid rate and continues to gain market share. It is Digi-Key's customer-centered business philosophy that will continue to drive the company's rapid growth far into the future.