European electronics distributor celebrates 50th anniversary

Company milestones
The company's history dates back to 1969, when Angelika Reichelt started distributing electronic components. Since then, both consumers and business customers have relied on the quality of the products provided by reichelt elektronik, which were initially sold solely via a traditional catalogue. But with the advent of the Internet, sales shifted to online trading, where it now sells the majority of its products. In fact, in 1996, reichelt elektronik became one of the first German companies to have an online shop.

Originally based in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, the head office with its 40 employees relocated to Sande, Germany in 1996. In the same year, reichelt achieved another milestone: the construction and launch of its logistics centre with self-developed conveyor technology and logistics software. This system allows reichelt to manage more than 110,000 products smoothly and to deliver to customers on time. The relocation has proven itself to be a great success story for the company.

Since its sale to the Daetwyler Group in 2010, the online distributor has steadily expanded its product portfolio and has launched in multiple European countries, including France, Poland, the Netherlands and the UK in 2016.

Maintaining success in a competitive market
Over the past 50 years, the distribution market for electronics and IT has changed dramatically. The core expectations of customers remain unchanged however: affordable prices and high quality products. With a good price performance ratio and reliable, fast delivery, reichelt has become one of the most sought-after distributors in Germany and Europe.

The success of online trading comes down to the development of the self-developed logistics centre, which was significantly expanded in 2016. This means that reichelt’s product portfolio can be reliably delivered to as many as 128 countries.

Ulf Timmermann, CEO of reichelt elektronik, attributes the company's success to two main factors: "Our strength, apart from technically excellent products, lies in the close relationship we have with customers and partners, whom I would like to thank for their loyalty over the past 50 years. In addition, we are able to maintain our market position through the constant commitment of our employees. I would like to thank them for their hard work."

What does the future hold?
The success of the last 50 years does not mean reichelt will be resting on its laurels. On the contrary, a major goal that the distributor has is to continue to pursue internationalisation and expansion of its product range.