Smith & Associates FAQ

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Smith & Associates...

Who is Smith & Associates and what do they do?
Smith & Associates is the world leader in Independent Semiconductor Distribution and Services. Smith buys, sells, stocks, imports and exports semiconductors and other electronic components used in computers, computer peripherals, industrial machinery, medical equipment, automobiles, consumer electronics, aeronautic systems, communications devices, and other high-tech systems.

Where is Smith located?
Smith & Associates is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Other locations include logistics hubs and sales offices in Silicon Valley, New York, Guadalajara, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai. This global presence allows Smith to source parts around the clock and all over the world.

Why do you call yourselves "The Leader in Independent Distribution?"
Industry publications including Electronic Business, Purchasing Magazine, and Electronic Buyers News (now Electronics Supply and Manufacturing) continually rank Smith a top independent distributor. Smith's market expertise, financial stability, commitment to quality and global footprint are unparalleled among electronic distributors.

What are Smith & Associates' annual sales?
In 2004, Smith & Associates became the first independent distributor to achieve $500 million in annual sales. Since 2000, Smith has averaged over $380 million in annual sales.

How long has Smith & Associates been in business?
Smith & Associates was founded in 1984.

What products does Smith sell?
Smith & Associates sells most brands of semiconductors, electronic components, and computer products. Review our complete listing of products and manufacturers.

Does Smith carry any inventory?
Yes. In addition to our worldwide inventory of on-hand stock, Smith has an excess consignment program that enables our OEM/EMS consignment partners to liquidate their excess inventory. As a result, Smith has access to thousands of factory-sealed line items at any given time.

What value-added services does Smith & Associates offer?
Smith & Associates offers a suite of scalable, customizable value-added services in-house, including:

Inventory Management Services

Smith was built on a shortage sourcing model, and spot market activity still accounts for a large portion of our business. However, over 20 years' experience has brought Smith the market knowledge to address our customers' evolving challenges, and we pride ourselves on having the nimbleness to respond with innovative, customized solutions to our customers' needs.

Bill of Materials Analysis
Smith can assist customers by analyzing bills of materials for upcoming or regularly scheduled builds. Customers often achieve cost savings by leveraging Smith & Associates' experience and sourcing all or a portion of required materials on the open market.

CPU Service Programs and Hubbing
Smith can stock electronic components, such as CPUs for manufacturers as a hedge against anticipated price increases, or to ensure that quantities of End-of-Life components are available for service and repair needs.

Excess Inventory Liquidation
Smith has been managing consignment inventory since 1992, and has more than 80 consignment partners worldwide. Smith's asset recovery solutions are easily customized to suit the needs of our partner companies, but are generally designed using one or more of the following models: Consignment, Non-Consignment Marketing from excess lists, or Lot Buys.

Operational/Logistics Value-Added Services

Testing and Verification
All three of Smith's international logistics hubs are capable of performing in-house diagnostics and functionality testing on Microprocessors (CPU), Optical and Magnetic Storage Devices, Memory Modules and Memory ICs, Motherboards and PC Daughter Cards, Basic PC Peripherals (modems, video cards, etc.), and Capacitors, plus independent component verification of any through-hole or surface mounted ICs.

Packaging and Kitting Services
Dry Packing, Packaging, and Bar Code Labeling are standard procedures in all of Smith's international logistics hubs. Smith can also provide kitting services to help streamline each part's integration into the production line.

Other Value-Added Services
Smith & Associates' worldwide logistics hubs can perform component tape and reel services for surface mount devices (SMD) and axial and radial components, as well as lead Inspection and repair on ICs and CPUs in most packages and sizes. Smith's component programming capabilities are available for EPROMs, EEPROMs, PLD, GAL, PAL, and Flash. Smith can also provide lead forming and trimming for axial and radial components.

What payment options does Smith offer?
Smith & Associates offers several payment options to customers based on a review of their financial history. Options include: COD, Wire Transfer, Net Terms and Credit Card.

What currencies does Smith transact business in?
Smith & Associates typically transacts business in US dollars, but for our European customers we also do business in Euros.

What lead times can I expect when I purchase from Smith & Associates?
Smith focuses on getting the right parts to our customers when they need them. Although lead times for individual parts vary, Smith's dedicated shipping department and logistics experts will meet your delivery targets. We have a saying at Smith that originated in the Smith shipping department, "The only thing we can't do is get it there yesterday... but we're working on it!"

How experienced are your sales and buying teams?
Our representatives are the best in the industry. Smith's rigorous training program includes both classroom and on-the-job training. The program is tailored to fit each new representative's abilities and experience and guarantees that they are fully prepared to meet the dynamic needs of our top tier customers.

How can I be assured that I will receive quality parts from Smith & Associates?
Smith & Associates has a dedicated Quality Department whose experienced staff follows ISO 9001:2000 and ANSI-ESD S20.20-1999 certified processes. Smith conducts visual and functionality tests all incoming components based on Mil-Spec sampling. Over the last three years, Smith's returns have totaled less than 0.5% of total sales.

What sets Smith & Associates apart from the competition?
Smith's market expertise, financial stability, commitment to quality, and global footprint are unparalleled among electronic distributors. Smith's suite of customizable service offerings are designed to assist manufacturers with procurement, and help streamline each part's integration into the production line. Years of experience have shown Smith the value of discretion in every aspect of business, from customer and vendor confidentiality to product packaging. Through more than 20 years in business, Smith has established relationships with suppliers and customers around the world, and these are at the core of a global network of manufacturer and distributor business partners. These relationships give Smith & Associates the ability to find the parts customers need when they need them. This level of market involvement gives Smith the insight to stay ahead of a rapidly changing industry. Many business partners deal with Smith & Associates on an exclusive basis. This allows Smith access to product offers and requirements that other distributors don't receive. As a privately held company with a strong financial position, Smith has the agility to respond quickly with customized solutions to meet customers' needs. Smith has developed operational infrastructures that provide significant advantages to the core business of open-market electronics distribution. Smith & Associates also has the logistical knowledge to quickly move large amounts of product around the globe.

Can I buy shares of Smith & Associates?
No, Smith & Associates is a privately held company.

Who is the "Smith" in Smith & Associates?
Leland and Robert Ackerley had customers before their fledgling company even had a name. Robert's wife, Nora, had a D.B.A. for her real estate business, so Robert and Leland began trading electronic components under that name. Of course, the D.B.A. was: N.F. Smith & Associates. Find out more about the history of Smith.

What if I need to return product to Smith?
Smith & Associates accepts returns within the standard warranty period, provided that the parts are accompanied by an engineering failure report. Please visit our Return Procedures page for instructions.

I just purchased a product from Smith. When will it be shipped to me?
All orders are processed immediately, unless otherwise specified by the customer. Shipping terms for each product are outlined in the product's detailed description. If the shipping terms outlined in the product description do not meet your specific needs, please call +1 (800) HOUSTON or +1 (713) 430-3000 to see if an alternate shipping option is available.

I prefer to ship with a specific carrier and account number. Can I use them to have my products shipped to me?
Yes, Smith has relationships with all of the major carriers. To specify which carrier you prefer, call a Smith representative at +1 (800) HOUSTON or +1 (713) 430-3000.

Does Smith ship overseas?
Yes. Smith & Associates has offices all over the world to better serve our international customers. This includes major logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong and Amsterdam, and sales offices in Houston, Silicon Valley, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, New York, Guadalajara, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Barcelona.

How does Smith handle different countries' customs laws?
Your purchase may be subject to import duties, taxes, and/or fees, which are levied once the package reaches its destination. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by the purchaser. Smith has no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country. Please contact your local customs office for detailed information. Additionally, when ordering from Smith, you are considered the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the country in which you are receiving the goods.

How fast can you get my shipment to me?
It depends. If the product you ordered is in stock in our Houston facility and your company is in Dallas, it could be in a matter of hours. In most situations, the product location, buyer's location, the time of day, and day of the week can affect the actual delivery date.

Smith & Associates is committed to the fastest possible delivery. Smith offers QA-approved drop shipping and freight forwarding services around the globe. Plus, we have an entire department dedicated to import, export and freight services.

Just about the only thing we can't do is get it there yesterday . . . but we're working on it!