AL -Electronics Distribution
AL-Elektronik Distribution GmbH is a family-owned German authorized distributor of electronic components (passives, electromechanics, semiconductors, cables, soldering equipment) serving electronics manufacturers across the DACH region through e-commerce, field sales, and Field Application Engineer support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBraunschweig, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AL -Electronics Distribution does
AL-Elektronik Distribution GmbH is a family-owned, authorized B2B distributor of electronic components headquartered in Braunschweig, Germany, founded in 1999 by Wilfried Both and now led by the second generation (Managing Director Nicole Both, with Maximilian Both and Prokurist Marc Both also active in management). The company distributes over 90,000 articles across five product categories — passives (capacitors, resistors, inductors, sensors, circuit protection), electromechanics (connectors, fans, relays, switches, enclosures), semiconductors, cables, and soldering equipment — sourced from 34 authorized manufacturer lines including Littelfuse, WIMA, KEMET (YAGEO), SUNON, HARTING, Walsin, VIKING, DIOTEC, VITROHM, C&K, Lite-On, IXYS, IST AG, HAHN, FASTRON, PTR Hartmann, SAMWHA, and CapXon, with passive components accounting for over 50% of revenue.
The operating model combines a self-serve e-commerce shop (al-elektronik.de) with trade-license-verified business accounts, an inside-sales team, and a regionally-segmented field-sales motion (Regional Sales Managers covering Norddeutschland, Central Germany, and Bayern/Austria, plus a Henstedt-Ulzburg sales office opened November 2019 housing Büroleitung Nord, Inside Sales, and Field Application Engineer roles). Distribution is supported by a centralized warehouse in Braunschweig with over 2,000 WIMA items held in local stock, ISO 9001 quality certification (DEKRA), and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) customs status. Pricing is quote-based for special items, with no minimum order value, flat 11 EUR domestic shipping, and 30-day net payment terms.
Commercially, the company monetizes one-time product sales supplemented by technical-advisory services delivered through Field Application Engineers supporting design-in and component selection. Customer segments are anchored in electronics manufacturers across industrial automation, automotive electronics, telecommunications, and adjacent verticals, with a secondary resale/distributor channel. Recent technology investments include system partnerships with Luminovo (Oct 2024, API integration) and CircuitByte's BOM Connector Enterprise (Feb 2023, ERP/MES integration). The company employs approximately 40+ staff across German locations, has no external investors or parent company, and has not publicly disclosed revenue.
AL -Electronics Distribution firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AL -Electronics Distribution
- Legal name
- AL-Elektronik Distribution GmbH
- Website
- https://al-elektronik.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AL-Elektronik Distribution GmbH is a family-owned German authorized distributor of electronic components (passives, electromechanics, semiconductors, cables, soldering equipment) serving electronics manufacturers across the DACH region through e-commerce, field sales, and Field Application Engineer support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AL -Electronics Distribution industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electronic Components Distribution
- NAICS
- Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423690)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronics Components & OEM/ODM Sourcing Marketplaces (CRAFAHAM)
Keywords
Where AL -Electronics Distribution is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Braunschweig
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
AL -Electronics Distribution business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electronics Component Sales: Distribution of electronic components including passive components, electromechanical parts, semiconductors, cables, and soldering equipment to B2B customers. Revenue generated through one-time product sales with no minimum order value.
- Technical Consulting Services: Technical advisory services through Field Application Engineers supporting product selection and design-in processes
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard B2B pricing with quote-based special pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
AL -Electronics Distribution product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AL-Elektronik Distribution is a B2B authorized distributor of electronic components headquartered in Braunschweig, Germany. The company sells over 90,000 articles from 34 authorized manufacturer lines across passive components, electromechanics, semiconductors, cables and soldering equipment through its own e-commerce shop, field sales team and inside sales support. Value-add services include Field Application Engineer consultation for component selection and design-in, ISO 9001 quality processes and API-based integrations (Luminovo, BOM Connector Enterprise) for ERP/MES-linked BOM workflows.
Product overview
AL-Elektronik Distribution is an electronics component distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio organized into five main product categories: Passive Components (capacitors, inductors, resistors, sensors, circuit protection), Electromechanics (connectors, fans, relays, switches, enclosures), Semiconductors (diodes, transistors, power semiconductors, optoelectronics), Cables (D-Sub, USB, HDMI, VGA, and other cable types), and Soldering Equipment (from Seifert, Stannol, Weller). The company distributes products from over 34 authorized manufacturers including Littelfuse, WIMA, Lite-On, SUNON, Walsin, HARTING, Viking, SAMWHA, KEMET, C&K, VIKING, IST AG, FASTRON, and others. Their product offering spans over 90,000 articles from name-brand manufacturers, serving as a leading German distributor in passive, semiconductor, and electromechanical components.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Passive Components Distribution of passive electronic components including capacitors, crystals and oscillators, inductors, resistors, sensors and circuit protection devices from authorized manufacturers such as WIMA, KEMET/YAGEO, Walsin, Viking, SAMWHA, CapXon, VITROHM and HAHN. Passive components account for over 50% of AL-Elektronik's total revenue and are sold to B2B electronics manufacturers across the DACH region.
- Electromechanics Distribution of electromechanical components including connectors, cable ties, heat shrink tubing, fans, relays, switches and enclosures from manufacturers including HARTING, SUNON, PTR Hartmann, AMTEK and C&K (Littelfuse). Sold to professional electronics manufacturers and industrial OEMs for production, prototyping and design-in use cases.
- Semiconductors Distribution of semiconductor products including HV/DIAC/FET devices, small signal diodes, optoelectronics, power semiconductors, rectifier diodes, Schottky diodes, thyristors/sidactors, transistors, TVS diodes, TVS diode arrays and Zener diodes. Sourced from authorized manufacturers including Littelfuse, Lite-On, DIOTEC and IXYS (Littelfuse) and sold to B2B electronics manufacturers for power, automotive and industrial applications.
- Cables Distribution of cable products including D-Sub cables, gender changers, flat cables, patch cables, power cables, USB, VGA, DVI, HDMI and SCSI cables. Sold to professional buyers in IT, building automation and industrial applications including through the preLink Ethernet Cabling System.
- Soldering Equipment Distribution of professional soldering equipment from manufacturers including Seifert, Stannol and Weller for electronics assembly operations. Targeted at professional electronics manufacturers and industrial assembly customers.
- Field Application Engineer Consultation Technical consultation service supporting product selection and design-in processes for customers. Delivered by in-house Field Application Engineers covering component selection, design-in support and technical advice across the franchised product portfolio.
- BOM Connector Enterprise Integration Bill of materials and calculation tool integration for electronics manufacturing customers. Provides BOM management, data preparation, formatting, checking, comparison and cost calculation, with DistiDirect real-time access to worldwide component supplier networks and ERP/MES system integration. Sold as part of AL-Elektronik's B2B tooling offering.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,000 WIMA articles available from warehouse stock
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use AL -Electronics Distribution
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AL -Electronics Distribution technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
AL -Electronics Distribution partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- LuminovocoreSystem partner with API integration providing real-time access to Luminovo's tools and algorithms for enhanced product offerings and process optimization.
- WIMAcoreStrategic focus partner since company founding ~25 years ago. WIMA is a German film capacitor manufacturer producing Made in Germany quality products. AL-Elektronik is the highest-revenue distributor of WIMA in the German market with the branch's largest and broadest WIMA stock inventory.
- DIOTECmajorDIOTEC received the 'Supplier of the Year' award in the Compliance category from AL-Elektronik.
- VITROHM (Yageo)majorVITROHM was awarded by AL-Elektronik in the SUPPORT category for the Supplier Award 2024.
- WALSIN (Walsin Technology Corporation)majorSuccessfully passed internal factory audit at DaLang Plant in China where chip resistors and MLCCs are produced. WALSIN is one of the world's leading manufacturers of passive components founded in 1992.
- SUNONcoreLong-term partnership for cooling solutions. SUNON is known for excellent technology, stable quality, and high innovation. SUNON participated in NASA experimental programs and produces the world's smallest fans (Mighty Mini series from 9x9mm) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- VIKING Tech CorporationmajorAwarded Supplier of the Year in the category 'Best Supplier Evaluation'. VIKING is recognized for outstanding performance in the past fiscal year. Products include resistors, inductors, and MLCCs.
- C&K Switches (Littelfuse)coreAL-Elektronik received exclusive access to the entire C&K Switch product range as a long-standing Littelfuse distributor, before full C&K integration into Littelfuse was completed. C&K products are used in automotive, industrial controls, medical technology, and aerospace applications.
- CircuitByte (BOM Connector)coreSystem partnership for BOM Connector Enterprise - the most comprehensive bill of materials and calculation tool for electronics manufacturing. Provides real-time DistiDirect access to worldwide network of component suppliers and manufacturers.
- YAGEO/KEMETcoreExtended cooperation with YAGEO including KEMET portfolio (acquired June 2020). KEMET has over 100 years experience and 1,600+ patents. AL-Elektronik achieved record revenue with passive components representing over 50% of total results.
- E-T-A Elektrotechnische Apparate GmbHmajorE-T-A is a global leader in overcurrent protection with operations in 60+ countries and 5 production sites. Awarded AL-Elektronik as Supplier of the Year 2021 for excellent performance in quality, prices, logistics, technology, and consulting.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AL -Electronics Distribution competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Digi-Key Electronics: Digi-Key is a major global authorized distributor of electronic components with a German-language site. Competes with AL-Elektronik on breadth of catalog, authorized-line portfolio, no-minimum-order service model, and e-commerce ordering for design engineers and small-to-medium manufacturers.
- TTI Inc. TTI Inc. is a global authorized distributor specializing in passive, connector, electromechanical, and discrete semiconductor components with European operations. Directly comparable specialist-distributor model focused on the same component categories that drive AL-Elektronik's revenue.
- Mouser Electronics: Mouser Electronics is one of the largest authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributors globally, with German operations. Direct competitor in authorized distribution with focus on newest product introductions from manufacturers and design-in support.
- Farnell / element14: Farnell (element14) is a global high-service B2B distributor of electronic components with operations in Germany. Directly comparable business model targeting design engineers and small-batch production buyers with no/low minimum orders, broad catalog, and same-day shipping from European warehouses.
- Reichelt Elektronik: Reichelt is one of Germany's largest electronics distributors serving both B2B and prosumer customers with broad catalog of components, cables, and tools. Comparable authorized distributor model with strong German market position and similar no-minimum-order service approach.
- RS Components: RS Components (RS Online) is a major global B2B distributor of electronic, electrical, and industrial components with strong German presence. Direct competitor to AL-Elektronik in authorized electronic component distribution serving manufacturing, MRO, and R&D customers with similar broad product catalog model.
- Bürklin Elektronik: Bürklin is a German specialty distributor of electronic components, tools, and accessories serving R&D, prototyping, and small-batch production. Closely comparable German-headquartered competitor with similar focus on service, technical advice, and same-day shipping from local stock.
Broad incumbents
- Conrad Electronic: Conrad Electronic is a major German broad-line distributor of electronic components, tools, and technical equipment serving B2B and B2C customers. Larger incumbent with broader portfolio including consumer electronics, automation, and measurement; overlaps with AL-Elektronik on the electronic component distribution business.
- Avnet: Avnet is a global broad-line authorized distributor of electronic components with European operations including Germany. Large incumbent competing on full portfolio, design-chain services, and embedded solutions; analogous to AL-Elektronik at a vastly larger scale.
- Arrow Electronics: Arrow Electronics is one of the world's largest authorized electronic component distributors with German operations. Major broad-line incumbent that competes on global scale, enterprise accounts, and supply-chain services; significantly larger than AL-Elektronik but operates in the same authorized-distribution category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AL -Electronics Distribution social profiles
Digital presenceAL -Electronics Distribution compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
AL -Electronics Distribution financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AL -Electronics Distribution leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
AL -Electronics Distribution funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AL -Electronics Distribution 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 AL -Electronics Distribution
What does AL -Electronics Distribution do?
AL-Elektronik Distribution is a B2B authorized distributor of electronic components headquartered in Braunschweig, Germany. The company sells over 90,000 articles from 34 authorized manufacturer lines across passive components, electromechanics, semiconductors, cables and soldering equipment through its own e-commerce shop, field sales team and inside sales support. Value-add services include Field Application Engineer consultation for component selection and design-in, ISO 9001 quality processes and API-based integrations (Luminovo, BOM Connector Enterprise) for ERP/MES-linked BOM workflows.
Is AL -Electronics Distribution a public or private company?
AL -Electronics Distribution is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was AL -Electronics Distribution founded?
AL -Electronics Distribution was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AL -Electronics Distribution based?
AL -Electronics Distribution is headquartered in Braunschweig, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does AL -Electronics Distribution make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Electronics Component Sales are the primary driver. The others are technical Consulting Services.
Who are AL -Electronics Distribution's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Digi-Key Electronics, TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, Farnell / element14, Reichelt Elektronik, RS Components and Bürklin Elektronik. Broad incumbents are Conrad Electronic, Avnet and Arrow Electronics.
Does AL -Electronics Distribution have an API?
Yes. AL-Elektronik has established a system partnership with Luminovo, enabling real-time API integration to access Luminovo's tools and algorithms. The BOM Connector Enterprise provides integration with ERP and MES systems for bill of materials management, pricing calculations, and supply chain optimization. Developer documentation is at circuit-byte.com/home/bom-connector-enterprise.
What industry is AL -Electronics Distribution in?
AL -Electronics Distribution's product category is Electronic Components Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFAHAM, Electronics Components & OEM/ODM Sourcing Marketplaces. Its NAICS code is 423690 and its SIC code is 5065.