Avnet Electronics Marketing, an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), and global electronics manufacturer and supplier, ITT Interconnect Solutions, an operating group of ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT), are celebrating their 55-year alliance.

The year was 1952. The Summer Olympic Games of the XV Olympiad took place in Helsinki, Finland and the VI Winter Games were hosted in Oslo, Norway. U.S. Winter Olympians took home gold medals for skiing in womens slalom and womens giant slalom, mens figure skating and mens 500 meter speed skating.

It was also an important year for the electronics industry – Avnet Electronics Marketing signed its first franchise agreement with ITT Interconnect Solutions, then known as Cannon, and became one of Cannons largest distributors, a position it has maintained for more than 55 years.

More than half a century later, Avnet serves customers in more than 70 countries worldwide and has become one of the largest distributors in the industry. ITT has built a reputation in diversified high-technology engineering and manufacturing, offering solutions for water and fluids management, global defense and Security, and motion and flow control.

Together, Avnet and ITT Interconnect Solutions offer complete electronics engineering, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities for customers around the globe. “Over the last century ITT Interconnect Solutions has made some tremendous technological breakthroughs, including being honored by NASA for its efforts in the first United States manned lunar landing and becoming a leading supplier of Connectors in the industry,” said Phil Gallagher, president of Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas. “Together Avnet and ITT Interconnect Solutions are able to deliver creative, custom solutions to meet the global customers technical needs – both today and into the future.”

“Its rare indeed to find partnerships—either personal or in business—that last over half a century,” said Mike Kuchenbrod, president of ITT Interconnect Solutions. “It is with great pride and deep appreciation that we celebrate our 55 years of doing business together. Our mutual customers have reason to celebrate as well, because the superb working relationship between Avnet and ITT Interconnect Solutions means they benefit most of all.”

For more information about Avnet and ITT ICS, please visit: www.em.avnet.com/itt.