Premier Farnell plc is a leading British distributor of electronic components
1996 A. C. Farnell bought Premier Industrial Corporation, a leading US distributor, and changed their name to Premier Farnell
2001 Acquired Buck and Hickman which it subsequently sold in 2007
2006 Sold Kent, its specialist automotive consumables business
2007 the group launched its Greater China business, Premier Electronics, with the opening of a new warehouse and distribution centre in WaiGaoQia.
2008 Began the closure of Cadillac Electric (part of the group's Industrial Products Division)
2008 Acquired Hynetic Electronics, an Indian distributor
2009 Acquired Microdis Electronics, an electronics distributor based in Poland
2009 Acquired CadSoft Computer GmbH, developer of EAGLE electronic design automation software