NEDA, ECA merge, target counterfeit components

Suzanne Deffree, Managing editor, news -- EDN: Information, News, & Business Strategy for Electronics Design Engineers, May 11, 2010

The National Electronics Distributors Association (NEDA) and the Electronic Components Association (ECA)  today announced an agreement to merge.

"NEDA and ECA have been united with respect to their fight against counterfeit product and in support of the authorized channel," said Robin B Gray, Jr, NEDA executive vice president, in a statement. "It makes good business sense to combine our efforts for maximum effectiveness."

The announcement came as EDS, the annual distribution industry show, kicked off in Las Vegas today. Gray has emphasized the importance of collaboration in the fight against counterfeit components in presentations at previous EDS conferences.

The combined association will be named the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) and is expected to commence operation in January 2011. A merger transition team has been created to finalize details, the two distribution industry groups said.
 
ECIA's mission will be to promote and improve the business environment for the authorized sales of electronic components. With combined NEDA and ECA membership, resources, and leadership, the merger is expected to allow the industry to speak with one voice for the manufacturers and distributors of electronic components on issues of critical importance to the authorized channel while reducing duplication of efforts and decreasing costs.
 
"Our associations have worked together on past events that have proven to be highly beneficial to our combined memberships," said Bob Willis, ECA president, in the statement. "ECIA will extend cooperative efforts to ECA and NEDA into year-round programs that will enable our members to weather change, exploit new technologies, and create a better environment for business success."
 
ECA and NEDA will continue to manage unique programs and services for each association's constituencies prior to full integration into the new association.