What Larsen Associates does

Larsen Associates is an electronic manufacturers' representative firm founded in 1988 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The firm operates as an independent sales channel in Silicon Valley, representing a curated set of specialized electronics and semiconductor back-end equipment manufacturers — most prominently Aries Electronics (IC test sockets, burn-in sockets, and Correct-A-Chip IC adapters), Exatron (automated IC handlers, laser marking systems, tape-and-reel equipment, thermal-forced-air and serialization handlers, MEMS test handlers), Chupond America (heatsinks, connectors), and HPD R&D (custom instruments and CNC machining). Its functional role is to identify, qualify, and close sales opportunities for these principals with semiconductor, medical, military, aerospace, scientific/research, and commercial/industrial buyers.

Name

Larsen Associates

Legal name

Larsen Associates

Website

https://larsenassociates.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Larsen Associates is a Silicon Valley-based manufacturers' representative firm founded in 1988, representing specialty electronics and semiconductor test-handling manufacturers serving semiconductor, medical, military, aerospace, scientific, and industrial buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Test Equipment Sales Representation

NAICS

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing (334), Engineering Services (54133)

SIC

Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Test, Measurement & Calibration Equipment Manufacturing Services (ATE, DAQ, metrology electronics) (IMAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Testing, Inspection, Certification & Commissioning (TICx) Technical Services (BPAHAIAL)

Keywords

• Electronic manufacturer representation
• IC test sockets
• Automated test handlers
• Laser marking systems
• Custom IC adapters

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunnyvale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Manufacturer Representative Commissions: Larsen Associates operates as an independent electronic manufacturers' representative firm. They provide sales representation and marketing services for electronics industry manufacturers in Silicon Valley and worldwide. Revenue is generated through commissions on sales of the products they represent, or through fee-based arrangements. Sales and marketing services can be exclusive or in conjunction with existing go-to-market strategies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Larsen Associates is an independent electronic manufacturers' representative firm that provides technical sales representation and marketing services for electronics industry manufacturers in Silicon Valley and worldwide. It represents Aries Electronics (IC test sockets, burn-in sockets, Correct-A-Chip IC adapters, display sockets, high-temperature sockets), Exatron (automated handling, testing, laser marking, programming, and serialization equipment), Chupond America (custom heatsinks, screw machine contacts, SPI flash memory sockets), and HPD R&D (custom scientific instruments and precision CNC machining). Revenue is generated through commissions on sales and fee-based marketing services that may be exclusive or in conjunction with a manufacturer's existing go-to-market strategy.

Product overview

Larsen Associates is an electronic manufacturers' representative firm based in Silicon Valley, California, representing multiple manufacturers since 1988. The company offers a portfolio of test and handling equipment organized around three main product lines: (1) Aries Electronics products including IC test sockets, burn-in sockets, Correct-A-Chip IC adapters, display sockets, and high-temperature sockets; (2) Exatron automated handling equipment including pick & place handlers, gravity feed handlers, rotary handlers, laser marking systems, tape & reel equipment, temperature test handlers, serialization systems, MEMS test handlers, and high UPH production handlers; and (3) supporting products from Chupond America (heatsinks, connectors) and HPD (custom instruments, precision CNC machining). The company serves semiconductor, medical, aerospace, scientific, commercial, and military sectors worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aries Electronics Test and Burn-in Sockets Spring probe IC test sockets and burn-in sockets for any SMT device including CSP, BGA, LGA, QFN, QFP, MLF, DFN, SSOP, TSSOP, TSOP, SOP, SOIC, LCC, PLCC, and PGA packages, available in low-frequency (up to 1 GHz) and high-frequency (up to 18.5 GHz) variants with operating temperatures from -55C to +150C for burn-in applications.
• Aries Correct-A-Chip IC Adapters IC adapters that convert any footprint to any footprint, any termination style to any termination style, and any pinout to any pinout, enabling customers to avoid costly board redesigns when ICs become obsolete; available in standard and custom configurations from prototype to large-scale production volumes.
• Aries Electronics Display Sockets and Interconnects Horizontal and vertical LED/LCD display sockets described as the largest selection of standard display sockets of any manufacturer, plus custom sockets and pick & place versions, along with standard and custom interconnects.
• Aries Electronics High Temperature Test and Burn-in Sockets High-temperature test and burn-in sockets rated up to 300C for DIP, PGA, CSP, BGA, LGA, QFN, MLCC, and RF applications requiring elevated temperature testing.
• Exatron Pick and Place Handlers Automated pick-and-place IC test handlers ranging from tabletop/lab use (900 series) to high-volume production (8000 series) with kit-less software-controlled changeovers, supporting various device types and sizes with integrated testing, marking, and inspection capabilities.
• Exatron Gravity Feed Handlers Gravity-feed handlers for surface mount devices and through-hole technology, available in engineering tabletop models and high-speed production models with options including hot rail, hot chamber, and tape & reel output for device testing and sorting.
• Exatron Rotary Test Handlers High-speed rotary handlers using linear motors for smooth ultra precision, configurable for any application with mixing of inputs/outputs, test sites, laser marking, and inspection, supporting smart bucket sorting with 42 to 126 sorts.
• Exatron Laser Marking Systems Laser marking systems from desktop/manual markers to fully automated production handlers, integrated with multiple laser vendors including Keyence, Rofin, Trumpf, JDS Uniphase, Synrad, Laservall, and Unitek Miyachi, for marking plastics, metals, and ceramics on ICs, components, and industrial parts.
• Exatron Tape and Reel Equipment Tape and reel machines and tapers from manual desktop units to fully automated integrated systems, including PSA and heat seal styles, with vision options and integration into larger handler lines.
• Exatron Tri-Temperature Test Handlers Tri-temperature handlers for hot, cold, and ambient testing using Wide Range Thermal Head (WRTH) technology delivering -55C to +155C with no fluid required and no frost build-up, compatible with Lauda-Brinkman chillers.
• Exatron Serialization Systems Smart Queue Serialization Systems providing 100% perfect serialized order tracking by transferring devices from tray to tape while programming internal electrical ID and marking with external laser ID at up to 2000 UPH with no missing, double, or out-of-order numbers.
• Exatron MEMS Test Handlers Custom handlers for MEMS device testing including air pressure/vacuum, audio, electrical, impact/vibration, light sense/source, thermal, and magnetic testing, integrated with laser marking capabilities.
• Exatron High UPH Handlers High-volume production handlers reaching up to 7200 UPH (units per hour), with the Model 8000-3C supporting 1 to 128 test sites along with laser marking and 2D/3D inspection capabilities.
• Exatron Burn-in Board Loaders and Unloaders Model 902 Burn-in Board Loader/Unloader Transfer Handler for efficient transfer of devices from JEDEC trays to burn-in boards and back, with quick-changeover and vision options.
• Chupond America Heatsinks, Connectors, and Flash Memory Sockets Custom copper and aluminum heatsinks, standard and custom Swiss screw machine pins and contacts, and SPI 8/16 lead Flash Memory Sockets for volume tape and reel production, with design, engineering, and sourcing capabilities.
• HPD R&D Custom Instruments and Precision Manufacturing Custom scientific instrument development and precision CNC machining services that transform technical product concepts into laboratory- or field-ready instruments, integrating precision mechanical instrumentation with optics, cryogenics, electronics, vacuum, and UHV systems for scientific, medical, aerospace, semiconductor, telecom, military, and commercial customers.
• Technical Electronics Sales Representation and Marketing Services Technical sales representation and marketing services for electronics industry manufacturers in Silicon Valley and worldwide, delivered as commissioned or fee-based engagements that may be exclusive or non-exclusive, supplementing the manufacturers' existing go-to-market strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• No tooling charges, no NRE for IC sockets - only small set-up fees
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Aries ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAries Electronics is a manufacturer of IC test sockets, burn-in sockets, and IC adapters (Correct-A-Chip). Products are designed and made in the USA. Aries specializes in custom solutions with no tooling charges, no NRE, and quick delivery. They offer the world's largest variety of standard horizontal and vertical display sockets. Headquarters in Frenchtown, N.J., USA.
• ExatroncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExatron is a designer, manufacturer, and integrator of automated handling, testing, laser marking, machine vision, sorting, packaging, and programming equipment for the IC industry. Founded in 1974, based in San Jose, California. Cage Code 49176. Products are made in the USA. They specialize in custom computer-controlled machinery using proven building blocks.
• Chupond AmericasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChupond America provides custom copper and aluminum heatsinks, custom and standard Swiss screw machine pins and contacts, and SPI Flash Memory Sockets (8 and 16 lead). They are an American sales, design, and engineering company with standard and custom design manufacturing and sourcing capabilities.
• HPD R&DsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHPD R&D specializes in bringing technical product concepts and laboratory instruments to commercial product or laboratory-ready reality. Provides full engineering services, design services, fabrication services, and precision CNC services. Specializes in precision mechanical instrumentation integrated with optics, cryogenics, electronics, vacuum and UHV. Built LIGO gravitational wave seismic isolation platforms.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• TTI Inc. One of the largest authorized specialty distributors of interconnect, passive, electromechanical, and discrete components. Operates in the same value-chain role as Larsen (technical channel partner) but at vastly greater scale, with a much broader product portfolio and global footprint.
• Future Electronics: Global electronic component distributor with strong demand-creation and engineering support services. Comparable channel role to Larsen, but with a much larger portfolio, FAE network, and global supply chain services.
• Digi-Key Electronics: One of the largest global electronic component distributors, carrying millions of SKUs including test sockets, IC adapters, and handling accessories. Competes with Larsen indirectly by capturing the long-tail of small-volume buyers who would otherwise call a rep firm.
• Mouser Electronics: Global authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor with deep catalog coverage of test, measurement, and prototyping products. Competes for the same engineer-buyer as Larsen, with superior digital infrastructure and same-day shipping.
• Avnet: One of the world's largest electronic component distributors with global design chain services spanning components, embedded solutions, and test/measurement. Competes with Larsen for design-in opportunities at the same OEM and EMS customers, but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Arrow Electronics: Fortune 500 global technology distributor offering semiconductors, connectors, and complete test/measurement solutions. Comparable as a broad-line channel partner but with enterprise-scale services, design engineering, and global logistics that dwarf a rep firm like Larsen.

Direct peers

• Sager Electronics: Specialty electronic component distributor focused on power, battery, and electromechanical products. Comparable to Larsen as a mid-sized, technically-oriented channel partner serving industrial and OEM customers in the U.S. electronics market.
• Master Electronics: Independent electronic component distributor carrying active and electromechanical components, connectors, and passives. Comparable to Larsen as a privately-held, technically-focused channel firm serving industrial and OEM buyers across multiple verticals.
• Symmetry Electronics: Semiconductor-focused technical distributor representing wireless, audio, video, and embedded component manufacturers. Comparable to Larsen as a rep-style channel partner offering technical sales support for specialized component lines.
• Richardson Electronics: Specialty distributor and manufacturer of engineered solutions for RF, microwave, and power conversion applications. Comparable to Larsen as a technically-focused, mid-sized channel partner serving niche electronic and test/measurement markets with engineering support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Larsen Associates