COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 421690

Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Wholesalers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

12companies1923–1966founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedZenith Electronics CorporationFoundedZenith Electronics Corporation
1923
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedArrow Electronics, Inc.FoundedArrow Electronics, Inc.
1935
FoundedElectrocomponents PLCFoundedElectrocomponents PLC
1937
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedBell Industries, Inc.FoundedBell Industries, Inc.FoundedIKON Office Solutions, Inc.FoundedIKON Office Solutions, Inc.
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSiemens AGFoundedSiemens AG
1966
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Zenith Electronics Corporation →
Active · founded 1923
Having jettisoned its manufacturing operations in favor of outsourced production, Zenith Electronics Corporation has…
Zenith Electronics Corporation →
Active · founded 1923
Having jettisoned its manufacturing operations in favor of outsourced production, Zenith Electronics Corporation has…
Arrow Electronics, Inc. →
Active · founded 1935
Arrow Electronics, Inc., is the world's largest distributor of electronic components and computer products and a…
Arrow Electronics, Inc. →
Active · founded 1935
Arrow Electronics, Inc., is the world's largest distributor of electronic components and computer products and a…
Electrocomponents PLC →
Active · founded 1937 · United Kingdom
Electrocomponents PLC sits in the top tier of U.K.
Electrocomponents PLC →
Active · founded 1937 · United Kingdom
Electrocomponents PLC sits in the top tier of U.K.
Bell Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
Bell Industries, Inc.
Bell Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
Bell Industries, Inc.
IKON Office Solutions, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
IKON Office Solutions, Inc.
IKON Office Solutions, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
IKON Office Solutions, Inc.
Siemens AG →
Active · founded 1966 · Germany
Founded to manufacture and install telegraphic systems, Germany-based Siemens AG has prospered and grown over 155 years…
Siemens AG →
Active · founded 1966 · Germany
Founded to manufacture and install telegraphic systems, Germany-based Siemens AG has prospered and grown over 155 years…
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