AeA, ECA Enter Merger Discussions

Combined Organization Would Create Electronics Industry Leader

Washington, DC and Arlington, VA (November 4, 2008) - The Boards of Directors of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) and the Electronic Components Association (ECA) announced today that they have agreed to enter into discussions toward a potential merger. The resulting organization would represent thousands of member companies that would benefit from access to a wider variety of government and commercial programs including standards development, access to a portfolio of industry-leading conferences, unprecedented capabilities in lobbying, business and capital development, business services, elite networking, issue advocacy, and research.

Both associations believe that a merger would provide depth and offer an enhanced value model for members by creating an organization with greater clout, enabling access to a larger market, and expanding the scope of products and services currently available to members.

"As the technology industry matures and consolidates, there is a growing need for a trade association that has the size, scale and flexibility to support and promote its members and the industry as a whole," said AeA Chairperson Peter J. Boni, President and CEO of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. "This merger continues the trend started by ITAA and AeA to consolidate associations into a national voice for the technology industry. This partnership benefits the entire industry, whether large or small, electronics or software based."

"Whether focused specifically on the electronic component supply chain, government or commercial markets, technology companies should be able to come together in one place to advance the industry and help keep the United States at the forefront of innovation," said ECA Chairman James R. Kaplan, CEO of Cornell Dubilier Electronics.

AeA is the nation's largest high-tech trade association representing all sectors of the high-tech industry. ECA is the global supply chain sector representing manufacturers and suppliers of passive and electro-mechanical electronic components, connectors, wire, cable, component arrays, assemblies, materials, and support services.

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About AeA
AeA, the nation's largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members' top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

About ECA
ECA is the global supply chain sector representing manufacturers and suppliers of passive electronic and electro-mechanical components, connectors, wire and cable, component arrays and assemblies, and materials and support services.  ECA provides companies with a dynamic link into a network of programs and activities offering business and technical information, standards development,market research, trends and analysis, access to industry and government leaders, technical and educational training, and more.

This page was last updated on 11/04/08.