Avnet Memec Launches New Silicon Laboratories' USB SpeedWay Design Workshops(TM) Series

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2006--Avnet Memec, a division of Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas, is launching a series of technical workshops to help minimize the challenges developers face when designing with Universal Serial Bus (USB). USB hardware ports are being adopted in a wide range of industrial and embedded applications, and the new Silicon Laboratories' USB SpeedWay Workshops(TM) Series, developed by Avnet Memec, is the only lab-based engineering training available in North America that focuses on adopting and implementing this technology. Workshops will be offered in locations throughout North America beginning Sept. 27, 2006.

The hands-on technical laboratories offer a complete solution of hardware, software and development tools and are conducted by locally deployed, factory-certified field applications engineers who are available to assist customers throughout the design cycle. The workshops also provide an overview of Silicon Laboratories' portfolio of USB products -- including microcontrollers (MCUs) and USBXpress(R), drivers, driver samples and third-party development tools. Participants will leave the workshop with knowledge and skills that can be utilized immediately to reduce their time and effort in adding USB to applications.

"These Avnet Memec technical workshops are ideal for engineers who attended our recent USB seminar series and are ready to utilize our technology," said Gary Gay, vice president of worldwide sales at Silicon Laboratories.

"USB has become the predominant interface for a wide range of applications and Avnet Memec has developed a comprehensive workshop that demonstrates our deep understanding of the Silicon Laboratories' solution and the ability to provide outstanding engineering support," said Phil Sansone, senior vice president of Avnet Memec. "We are confident this workshop will help minimize the design challenges developers face when using USB and we are honored to be the only Silicon Laboratories' partner to develop and deliver this exclusive engineering training program to our customers."

These workshops are being offered free of charge to Avnet customers. Those who participate will also be eligible for discounts on development tools.

For complete details about the workshops and to register, please visit http://em.avnet.com/silabsusbspeedway.

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing is the largest operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company. Avnet Electronics Marketing serves electronic original equipment manufacturers (EOEMs) and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers in 68 countries, distributing electronic components from leading manufacturers and providing associated design-chain and supply-chain services. The group's Web site is located at http://www.em.avnet.com.

Avnet markets, adds value to, and distributes the products of the world's leading electronic component suppliers, enterprise computer manufacturers and embedded subsystem providers. For the fiscal year ended July 1, 2006, Avnet generated revenue of $14.25 billion. Visit www.avnet.com/.