Circuit Specialists
Founded in 1971 and operating as Ordertech Acquisition One dba Circuit Specialists, the company is a family-owned US electronics components and test equipment distributor selling multimeters, power supplies, soldering gear, breadboards, and DIY kits to STEM hobbyists, educational institutions, and government agencies through e-commerce and a Tempe, Arizona retail store.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersTempe, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Circuit Specialists does
Circuit Specialists is a privately held, family-owned electronics components and test equipment distributor founded in 1971 by Darrel and Leon Thorpe in Scottsdale, Arizona and now operated as 'Ordertech Acquisition One dba Circuit Specialists'. The company sells a broad catalog spanning oscilloscopes, multimeters, electronic loads, function generators, power supplies (benchtop, programmable, laboratory), soldering stations and irons, electronic components, breadboards and protoboards (including the proprietary CSI PBB-272C powered protoboard), motors and controllers, digital panel meters, enclosures, chemicals, hand tools, 3D printing filament, and DIY electronics kits. It carries third-party brands such as Siglent, Hantek, ITECH Electronics, MG Chemicals, Pro's Kit, Rigol, Elenco, and Snap Circuits alongside its own CSI-branded products, with direct manufacturer relationships supported by a sourcing office in China opened in 2001.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market through circuitspecialists.com, supplemented by a physical retail storefront in Tempe, Arizona (headquarters and warehouse), and dedicated Education and Government account programs with custom pricing portals, tax-exempt onboarding, and Custom Lab Kitting Services. Distribution is shipped from the Arizona warehouse with free shipping on orders over $149 across the contiguous US. Marketing is largely organic, anchored by the 'Simply Smarter Circuitry Blog', Google and Facebook review generation, and phone/email/live-chat support during business hours. Pricing is per-unit transactional rather than subscription-based, with education discounts, tax exemptions, government pricing, and a 5% military discount layered on top of standard retail.
Revenue is generated primarily from one-time hardware sales; Refurbished Equipment is offered alongside new product to extend inventory turn. Wayne Thorpe, son of founder Darrel Thorpe, remains President, and there is no evidence of external equity, debt, or venture capital involvement in the source materials. The company is actively operating as an ongoing concern with 11-50 employees.
Circuit Specialists firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Circuit Specialists
- Legal name
- Ordertech Acquisition One dba Circuit Specialists
- Website
- https://circuitspecialists.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Founded in 1971 and operating as Ordertech Acquisition One dba Circuit Specialists, the company is a family-owned US electronics components and test equipment distributor selling multimeters, power supplies, soldering gear, breadboards, and DIY kits to STEM hobbyists, educational institutions, and government agencies through e-commerce and a Tempe, Arizona retail store.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Circuit Specialists industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electronic Test Equipment and Components Distribution
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronic Components (Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors) Retail (CRACAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Test, Measurement & Lab Equipment Retail (CRACAKAH), PCB, Prototyping Boards & Etching Supplies Retail (CRACAKAF), Soldering, Rework & Electronics Hand Tools Retail (CRACAKAG), Power Supplies, Batteries & Charging Components Retail (CRACAKAD), DIY Kits, STEM Electronics & Maker Bundles Retail (CRACAKAN), Electronics, Circuits & Soldering Programs (EDAMADAG), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
Keywords
Where Circuit Specialists is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tempe
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Circuit Specialists business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling electronics components, test equipment, power supplies, soldering equipment, and related supplies through their e-commerce platform and retail location. Revenue is generated through one-time product transactions rather than subscriptions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard consumer pricing for general public |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Education Account pricing with discounts and tax exemption |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Government account pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Circuit Specialists product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Circuit Specialists distributes and sells electronic test equipment, power supplies, soldering tools, electronic components, prototyping hardware, and related supplies through its e-commerce website and a Tempe, Arizona retail storefront. The company operates dedicated account programs for educational institutions (with custom lab kitting and tax exemptions) and government buyers (with verified pricing and credit terms), and also sells directly to STEM hobbyists, students, and electronics professionals.
Product overview
Circuit Specialists is an electronics components and test equipment retailer founded in 1971, operating as an e-commerce platform offering a comprehensive range of electronic products. The portfolio centers on test equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, electronic loads), power supplies (benchtop, programmable, laboratory), soldering equipment (stations, irons, rework tools), electronic components and parts, prototyping boards (powered breadboards like the PBB-272C), motors and controllers, digital panel meters, electronic enclosures, chemicals and supplies, and 3D printing materials. The company distributes third-party brands including Siglent, Hantek, ITECH, MG Chemicals, and Pro's Kit alongside their own branded products. They provide specialized services including custom lab kitting for educational institutions, product sourcing, government purchasing accounts, and education accounts. The company also maintains a content resource through their Simply Smarter Circuitry Blog featuring tutorials and project guides.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PBB-272C Powered Protoboard System Powered breadboard designed for rapid prototyping circuit design, featuring two LCD digital panel meters for voltage and current readout.
- CSI-SZ-08 Multimeter Compact, user-friendly digital multimeter targeted at students and electronics hobbyists for portable measurement tasks.
- CSI12003B Benchtop Power Supply Compact laboratory benchtop power supply providing consistent DC power for electronics projects and labs.
- Test Equipment (Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Electronic Loads, Function Generators) Comprehensive line of testing and measurement instruments including oscilloscopes, multimeters, DC electronic loads, and waveform/function generators for hobbyists, students, and professionals.
- Power Supplies (AC/DC, Programmable, Benchtop) AC and DC power supplies including laboratory, programmable, and benchtop models for electronics work and education.
- Soldering Equipment & Stations Soldering stations from 60W to 110W, soldering irons, rework stations, and soldering accessories for assembly and rework.
- Electronic Components & Parts Full line of electronic parts and supplies including resistors, integrated circuits, and general components for project building and repair.
- Breadboards and Protoboards Solderless breadboards and powered prototyping boards for circuit design, testing, and education.
- Digital Panel Meters Digital panel meters for voltage and current measurement in equipment and project builds.
- Stepper Motors & Motor Controllers Stepper motors, servo motors, and motor controllers including the CSI-MOT-24 multitype motor controller for motion and automation projects.
- Electronic Enclosures Metal cases and enclosures for housing electronic projects and finished equipment.
- DAQ and Industrial Controls Data acquisition and industrial control products for automation, testing, and measurement applications.
- Printed Circuit Board Fabrication Supplies PCB fabrication supplies and materials for custom circuit board manufacturing and prototyping.
- Electronic Chemicals (Flux, Adhesives, Ferric Chloride, Conformal Coating) Electronic chemicals including flux, flux removers, adhesives, conformal coatings, ferric chloride, thermal paste, and RTV silicones for electronics assembly and PCB work.
- Electronic Kits and Soldering Projects DIY soldering kits and practice kits for education and hobbyists including FM radio kits, LED projects, and metal detectors.
- Hand Tools for Electronics Hand tools for electronics work and assembly.
- 3D Printing Supplies 3D filament selections for desktop 3D printers, priced from $4.99 to $9.99.
- Refurbished Test Equipment Tested and approved refurbished/open-box test and measurement equipment with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 90-day warranty.
- Siglent Oscilloscopes and Test Equipment Siglent-brand oscilloscopes and test equipment distributed through Circuit Specialists as a featured manufacturer.
- Hantek Oscilloscopes and Test Equipment Hantek-brand oscilloscopes and test equipment (including the DSO5202P) distributed through Circuit Specialists.
- ITECH Electronics Test Equipment ITECH-brand electronic test equipment including DC programmable loads distributed through Circuit Specialists.
- MG Chemicals Products MG Chemicals-brand products including conformal coatings, thermal paste, adhesives, and other electronic chemicals.
- Pro's Kit Tools Pro's Kit-brand hand tools and fiber optic equipment (e.g., fiber optic connector cleaners).
- Custom Lab Kitting Services Custom assembly of electronics lab kits tailored to educational syllabi and STEM programs, including sourcing and assembly for schools, colleges, and universities with dedicated account management.
- Product Sourcing Services Custom electronics component sourcing service that locates new-to-market, bulk, and customized products through Circuit Specialists' network of trusted suppliers, with direct manufacturer negotiation.
- Government Account Services Government purchasing program with verified pricing, 5% military discount, tax exemptions, custom quotes, and personalized credit terms after the first $1,000 for federal, state, and local agencies.
- Education Account Services Education accounts for verified educators and mentors offering tax exemptions, exclusive discounts, custom pricing portal, and dedicated account management for schools and universities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free shipping on orders over $149
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Circuit Specialists
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Circuit Specialists technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Circuit Specialists partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.
- SiglentcoreFeatured manufacturer of oscilloscopes and test equipment sold through Circuit Specialists. Siglent products are highlighted as featured items and mentioned in product categories including oscilloscopes and DC electronic loads.
- HantekcoreFeatured manufacturer of oscilloscopes and test equipment. Hantek products including DSO5202P digital oscilloscopes are featured products sold through the platform.
- ITECH ElectronicscoreFeatured manufacturer of electronic test equipment including DC programmable loads. ITECH products are highlighted in the DC electronic loads category and blog content.
- MG ChemicalsstandardFeatured manufacturer of chemicals and electronic supplies including conformal coatings, thermal paste, and adhesives. Products sold under MG Chemicals brand.
- Pro's KitstandardFeatured manufacturer of hand tools and fiber optic equipment. Pro's Kit products include fiber optic connector cleaners sold through Circuit Specialists.
- RigolcoreTest equipment manufacturer whose products are carried and mentioned in product sourcing pages. Rigol is listed among major electronics brands for sourcing.
- ElencostandardElectronics education and hobbyist equipment manufacturer. Elenco products are carried in the product catalog.
- Snap CircuitsstandardEducational electronics kit brand for hobbyists and students. Products sold through Circuit Specialists for educational purposes.
- OrderTech CorpcoreE-commerce platform provider hosting Circuit Specialists' online store. OrderTech provides the online e-commerce platform enabling the sale of products and services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Circuit Specialists competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mouser Electronics: Global distributor of electronic components with a massive catalog of millions of SKUs, serving engineers, hobbyists, and education customers. Functionally the largest direct competitor to Circuit Specialists' core distribution model, though at vastly greater scale and breadth.
- Digi-Key Electronics: One of the largest US electronic component distributors, offering same-day shipping on millions of parts, strong education program, and parametric search. Closest direct functional competitor at scale; Circuit Specialists competes by offering curated selection and personalized service rather than catalog breadth.
- Newark / Element14: Global high-service electronics distributor (part of Avnet) serving professional engineers and industrial customers. Comparable in product breadth and professional/education segment overlap, though at much larger scale and with different service orientation.
- Arrow Electronics: Global broad-line electronics distributor serving enterprise and industrial customers with components, test equipment, and embedded solutions. Adjacent overlap on test/measurement category and education programs; much larger and enterprise-focused.
Direct peers
- Adafruit Industries: Direct-to-consumer electronics retailer focused on STEM hobbyists, makers, and educators — closely overlapping Circuit Specialists' primary persona segment. Both sell components, tools, and educational kits; Adafruit differentiates with stronger own-brand product development and developer content.
- SparkFun Electronics: Specialty electronics retailer serving the maker and STEM education market with proprietary hardware, tutorials, and component bundles. Highly comparable in customer profile and educational focus; smaller catalog than Circuit Specialists but stronger open-source hardware brand.
- Jameco Electronics: Long-established US electronics components and test equipment retailer with similar heritage and customer base to Circuit Specialists. Both serve hobbyists, educators, and small businesses via catalog/e-commerce with comparable product mix.
- All Electronics Corp. Independent retailer of electronic components, surplus parts, test equipment, and tools, primarily serving hobbyists and small businesses. Closely comparable niche, scale, and target customer to Circuit Specialists.
Emerging players
- Elenco / Snap Circuits: Educational STEM kit manufacturer whose products Circuit Specialists actively distributes. Elenco operates both as a supplier (partner) and as a competing channel in the educational electronics space; closely tied to Circuit Specialists' maker/STEM segment.
Regional players
- B&H Photo Video: Large US electronics retailer with broader consumer-and-pro AV/test-equipment overlap but a fundamentally different category mix (cameras, computers, audio). Competes tangentially for test equipment and hobbyist spending rather than directly.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Circuit Specialists social profiles
Digital presenceCircuit Specialists financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Circuit Specialists leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Circuit Specialists funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Circuit Specialists M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Circuit Specialists
What does Circuit Specialists do?
Circuit Specialists distributes and sells electronic test equipment, power supplies, soldering tools, electronic components, prototyping hardware, and related supplies through its e-commerce website and a Tempe, Arizona retail storefront. The company operates dedicated account programs for educational institutions (with custom lab kitting and tax exemptions) and government buyers (with verified pricing and credit terms), and also sells directly to STEM hobbyists, students, and electronics professionals.
Is Circuit Specialists a public or private company?
Circuit Specialists is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Circuit Specialists founded?
Circuit Specialists was founded in 1971. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Circuit Specialists based?
Circuit Specialists is headquartered in Tempe, United States, in the North America region.
How does Circuit Specialists make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Sales.
Who are Circuit Specialists's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mouser Electronics, Digi-Key Electronics, Newark / Element14 and Arrow Electronics. Direct peers are Adafruit Industries, SparkFun Electronics, Jameco Electronics and All Electronics Corp.. Elenco / Snap Circuits is listed as an emerging player. B&H Photo Video is listed as a regional player.
Does Circuit Specialists have an API?
No public API is recorded for Circuit Specialists.
What industry is Circuit Specialists in?
Circuit Specialists's product category is Electronic Test Equipment and Components Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAKAA, Electronic Components (Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors) Retail, with a secondary code of CRACAKAH, Test, Measurement & Lab Equipment Retail. Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 5065.