BUSINESS FOCUS OF THE MONTH FEATURE
FOREMOST CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENT DISTRIBUTION IN THE UK
November 2019 is a milestone for Foremost Electronics, the engineering-led Essex based importer and specialist distributor of electromechanical components, as it celebrates 30 years of Electronic Component sales in the UK
F
oremost Electronics was founded in 1989 as a direct importer and specialist distributor
of switches, keypads, joysticks, connectors and other electro-mechanical products. It represents a truly global supplier base of more than 20 manufacturers from around the world, having strong partnerships with market leaders including Schroff, NKK Switches, Binder, Thermodisc and Elma. Its product offering is niche, offering true
specialisation in the E-Mech sector, and includes products for extreme conditions – suiting Military and Aerospace customers and providing commercial grade components for less arduous applications. Opening its doors for the first time on
November 21st 1989, Foremost had sales of £10,000 in its first month. It started life with a predominately electromechanical product portfolio including MEC switches, C&K switches, CH Joysticks, Accord Keypads, Marquardt switches. Foremost was also part of the Quiller network of distributors and a Roxburgh distributor. Foremost has achieved the position of the
most dominant distributor of Multimec switches in the UK for many years. MEC Switches, one of the leading European manufacturers of high-quality switches with its leading-edge design and the use of top-quality materials, has been a major factor in the continued success of sales via Foremost. Foremost successfully weathered the recession of the early 90’s and has maintained a steady growth over the subsequent years, leading the way in specialist component distribution. It provides a winning a mix of extensive knowledge about the requirements of the UK electronics market, the capability to source high quality components, the flexibility to take advantage of new technologies and markets, and the
ability to provide customer specific modifications using the latest 3D modelling.
MILESTONES IN FOREMOST’S EVOLUTION INCLUDE: 2006: High sales growth as new franchises including Thermodisc, Binder, OCS Joysticks and Elma are signed.
2007: A major relocation to new 10,000 sq. ft. premises.
2012: Became a UK channel partner for Schroff, the leading 19” cabinet and rack manufacturer.
2013: Became part of the Foremost Electronics Technology Group Ltd ‘FETGL’ along with
EVConnectors.com.
2013: Saw the birth of micro web shops for
enclosures4u.com and vertical markets
ipjoysticks.com and
rotaryswitchesonline.com, all part of the Foremost range of Buy Online product shops for product specific and niche markets.
2014: Increased premises by an additional 5000 sq. ft. of warehouse space to accommodate the growth in Schroff Pentair and EV Connectors products. Became distributor for NKK the world leading switch manufacturer.
2015: Group sales exceed £4m, further increased size of premises by 5,000 square feet to hold increased stock and provide a bonded warehouse for customers and launched new website.
2019: Sales continue to increase as new products are sourced to meet demand of emerging markets.
KEY MARKETS Key markets for Foremost now include: audio and broadcast, security, communications and telecoms, electric vehicles, railway industry, instrumentation, medical electronics, defence and aerospace, power, automotive, marine electronics and domestic appliances. Alan Cook, managing director of Foremost Electronics, comments: “After thirty years of effort we have a very well established place in
the UK electronic component distribution market and are looking forward to new opportunities in markets such as 5G and the advances in AI, IIOT, robotics, 4K/8K broadcast, electric vehicles, smart grid, autonomous cars and more. Our success has been made possible by knowing our strengths and our place in the market, offering incomparable customer service and having the wholehearted support of an outstanding team whose hard work has helped us achieve our goals. Without them we would not be where we are today.” Products sold by Foremost include enclosures and accessories, switches and keypads, connectors, thermal fuses, optoelectronic components and joysticks.
Foremost Electronics T: 01371 811171
www.4most.co.uk
Join Foremost Electronics to celebrate at the Engineering Design Show at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, from 16-17 October on stand J46
DESIGN SOLUTIONS | SEPTEMBER 2019 9
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