Digi-Key and Renesas to Sign Distribution Partnership

Business Wire, May 17, 2005

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. -- Digi-Key Corporation today announced that it has signed a distribution partnership agreement with Renesas Technology America, Inc. to carry Renesas' semiconductor products. The agreement gives Digi-Key customers ready access to advanced Renesas solutions for a broad span of embedded systems. The initial stocking package will include system LSI products such as microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors (MPUs), development kits and development software.

Digi-Key offers an extensive inventory of devices in the Renesas H8, M16C(R) and SuperH(R) families. These devices span from 8-, 16- to 32-bit microcontrollers and microprocessors and cover a wide range of performance, integration, power efficiency and price points. The Renesas hardware and software tools that Digi-Key also stocks can facilitate fast system design ramp-ups and shorten design cycles. Digi-Key's printed catalog and easy-to-use Web site (www.digikey.com) simplify choosing and buying the best Renesas products for any design requirement.

"Digi-Key is excited to offer our customers the Renesas product line," said Mark Larson, President and COO at Digi-Key Corporation. "Customers buying Renesas solutions from us will get cutting-edge technology in the quantities they need, whether for prototypes or volume production. This distribution partnership will benefit the diverse markets we and Renesas serve."

"Renesas is very pleased to announce our partnership with an industry leader in component distribution," said Ali Sebt, vice president, system LSI business unit at Renesas Technology America. "Digi-Key has already put in place a large stock of Renesas microcontrollers and hardware/software development tools, allowing customers to purchase from one prototype to production quantities on-line or over the phone. And Digi-Key is known for its ability to ship immediately. They can provide the outstanding sales support our customers need to keep their system design projects and product production runs on tight schedules."

About Digi-Key Corporation

Digi-Key Corporation is one of the fastest growing electronic component distributors in the world. From its beginnings, Digi-Key Corporation has attained a reputation of leadership in the electronic distribution business for its total commitment to service and performance. As a full-service provider of prototype/design quantities as well as production volumes of electronic components, Digi-Key consistently rates #1 for overall performance among more than 600 distributors in the United States. The company offers over 500,000 different products from more than 320 quality name-brand manufacturers. To achieve maximum customer satisfaction, Digi-Key has an outstanding commitment to inventory and provides convenient 24/7 access to its broad product offering via its Web site.

www.digikey.com.

M16C and SuperH are registered trademarks of Renesas Technology Corp.