Smith Expands into the Solar Market

Smith acquires ONTILITY’s solar distribution and service business

(Houston, TX) August 8, 2016 – Smith today announced its expansion into the solar market. Smith, a global distributor of electronic components and semiconductors, is now positioned as a leader in the solar industry through its acquisition of ONTILITY’s solar distribution and service business. ONTILITY, a leading wholesale distributor of solar equipment and provider of solar design and consulting services, will now be operating under Smith’s direction and control.

ONTILITY brings Smith over seven years of expertise in the distribution and support of solar products such as solar modules, inverters, racking, and BOS material. ONTILITY’s expansive customer base of solar installers, contractors, and developers will continue to grow under Smith’s leadership.

“I see incredible opportunity for Smith and for ONTILITY,” said Lee Ackerley, co-founder of Smith. “ONTILITY’s strategic partnerships will allow Smith to emerge as a leader within the solar industry. Smith’s global presence, IT infrastructure, financial stability, and premier facilities will add to ONTILITY’s momentum in the solar market.”

Smith’s growth into the solar market also reflects the organization’s corporate culture surrounding environmental sustainability. Operations at Smith’s Houston headquarters run partially on renewable energy generated by a full solar photovoltaic system.

“Smith is proud to be an industry leader in sustainability, in both our offices and our supply chain operations worldwide,” said Art Figueroa, environmental director of Smith. “Smith’s dedication to thinking, acting, and operating green makes our expansion into the solar market a cultural fit as well as a strategic move.”

About Smith

Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and directional drilling systems. In 13 cities around the world, from Silicon Valley to Seoul, Smith’s 500 employees communicate in 36 different languages and buy and sell components 24 hours per day. Smith is always moving: helping manufacturers navigate market shifts; customizing supply chain solutions; testing components using cutting-edge technology. With testing and logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam, Smith’s processes focus on critical issues, from quality management to counterfeit prevention and environmental safety. Smith’s operations, purchasing, and sales worldwide are seamlessly integrated with the company’s global IT infrastructure, Saleschain™, offering real-time inventory and logistics visibility anywhere in the world. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks number 13 among all global distributors. Smith’s Intelligent Distribution™ model adapts to ever-changing demands by providing seamless global electronics sourcing and logistics, regardless of distribution channel or locale. For more information, please visit http://www.smithweb.com, or, to reach a Smith representative 24 hours a day, please call +1 713.430.3000.

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For more information, contact:
Margo Evans
Smith, VP of Marketing
+1 713.430.3966
[email protected]