Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Need2Buy announced in October 2000 that it had acquired Unimate Electronics GmbH, a Munich-based electronic-component trading and fulfillment business. The deal was intended to give Need2Buy European operating infrastructure, regional expertise and established customer relationships as it built a global component-sourcing marketplace.

What did Need2Buy acquire?

Unimate Electronics was established in 1991 and operated from the Munich area. Contemporary accounts described it as a component trading and fulfillment company, not an electronics manufacturer. Its specialties included electronic and electromechanical components and global sourcing.

Unimate served original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract electronics manufacturers (CEMs) and distributors. Its customers worked in automotive, avionics, computing, industrial automation, medical and telecommunications markets.

Why did Need2Buy buy Unimate?

Need2Buy said Unimate would bring operating infrastructure, knowledge of the European market and existing customer relationships. Those assets were meant to help Need2Buy expand in Europe and support sourcing and distribution across the component market.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
MOGAOPI Electronic Component Kit Total 1390 Pcs, LED Diodes
  • All products are tested for stability, consistency and reliability,Ensure product excellence
  • Save time with this handy box full of the most practical and common electronic components
  • Easy to store: Each different component is packaged in a plastic bag, Resistors values are stamped with the according value
  • Electronic components set include: diodes, resistors, transistors, LED diodes, electrolytic capacitors, ceramic capacitors
  • Electronics component kit: This is a great assortment of components for electronic professionals or enthusiasts

Need2Buy chairman and chief executive Maury S. Friedman said the acquisition would help the company deliver a global supply-chain solution and assist participants in the European component market with sourcing and distribution. Unimate founder and chief executive Baruch Gruengras said the company’s experienced personnel and regional capabilities would complement Need2Buy’s supply-chain expertise and technical knowledge.

How did the deal fit Need2Buy’s expansion strategy?

The acquisition was part of a broader plan spanning North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Need2Buy had established European headquarters in Munich, while it was also developing an Asian marketplace with Mitsubishi Electric. EDN reported that Taiwan-based distributor World Peace Industrial joined that venture. The approximately $1 billion annual-sales figure reported for WPI referred to that distributor, not to Need2Buy or Unimate.

Rank #2
2200 pcs Electronic Component Assortment Kit, Capacitors, Resistors, Transistors, Inductors, Diodes, Potentiometer, IC, LED and PCB
  • Box including: Resistors, Transistors, Diodes, Zeners, Inductors, ICs, Crystal Oscillators, PCBs, LEDs, Mini Switch, Potentiometer, Trim Pots, LDRs, Headers, Terminals
  • Includes 2200 pcs of the most important and usefull Eletronic Components Electronic Component Assortment
  • Assorted by Professionals, made for Professionals
  • Comes in a recyclable 11 * 7 * 2.5 inch Box, well organized

In that strategy, Unimate offered a local European base and business relationships alongside Need2Buy’s marketplace ambitions. The announced rationale was to combine those regional capabilities with Need2Buy’s supply-chain and technical knowledge; the reporting does not establish a quantified financial return or measured operational result from the acquisition.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What happened to Unimate later?

A German registry summary records that Unimate Network GmbH was merged into Unimate Electronics GmbH, with the merger entered in the Munich register on December 29, 2011. That entry does not, by itself, establish the full ownership history after the 2000 acquisition or whether every related entity continued operating.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
MOGAOPI Electronic Component Kit Total 1390 Pcs, LED Diodes
MOGAOPI Electronic Component Kit Total 1390 Pcs, LED Diodes
Save time with this handy box full of the most practical and common electronic components
$25.99
Bestseller No. 2
2200 pcs Electronic Component Assortment Kit, Capacitors, Resistors, Transistors, Inductors, Diodes, Potentiometer, IC, LED and PCB
2200 pcs Electronic Component Assortment Kit, Capacitors, Resistors, Transistors, Inductors, Diodes, Potentiometer, IC, LED and PCB
Assorted by Professionals, made for Professionals; Comes in a recyclable 11 * 7 * 2.5 inch Box, well organized
$59.98
SaleBestseller No. 3
REXQualis Electronics Component Fun Kit w/Power Supply Module, Jumper Wire, 830 tie-Points Breadboard, Precision Potentiometer,Resistor Compatible with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32
REXQualis Electronics Component Fun Kit w/Power Supply Module, Jumper Wire, 830 tie-Points Breadboard, Precision Potentiometer,Resistor Compatible with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32
The Breadboard Power Supply come with a USB Power Cables,which is hard to find.; Not including the controller board.
$14.23
Best Value
ELEGOO Mega 2560 R3 Project The Most Complete Starter Kit with Tutorial
  • 35+ Guided Electronics Projects: Progress from LEDs and buttons to RFID access, real-time clocks, motion and distance sensing, environmental monitoring, motor control and interactive displays for STEM learning, coding clubs and maker projects
  • More I/O and Memory for Larger Builds: The MEGA 2560 R3 provides 54 digital I/O pins, including 15 PWM outputs, 16 analog inputs, 4 hardware serial ports and 256 KB flash for projects that combine more sensors, controls and displays
  • 200+ Components for Prototyping: Includes LCD1602, RC522 RFID, RTC, DHT11, HC-SR501 PIR, ultrasonic and water-level sensors, GY-521, MAX7219, keypad, joystick, rotary encoder, relay, SG90 servo, stepper motor, DC motor, breadboard and more
  • Learn, Modify and Create: Follow 35+ guided lessons with example code, then adjust sensor thresholds, timing, display text, motor behavior and control logic to turn structured exercises into access systems, monitors, alarms and interactive projects
  • Organized for Repeatable Learning: Pre-soldered modules, a solderless breadboard, storage case and small-parts box reduce setup time and keep sensors, LEDs, ICs, wires and other components easy to find between projects
Rank #4
Minidodoca Electronic Component Kit & Total 2038 Pcs, LED Diodes, Metal Film Resistors, Electrolytic Capacitor Package,Diodes, Ceramic Capacitors,IC,PCB,Digital Tube, Common Transistor Assortment Box
  • 【100% brand new and high quality】All products are tested for stability, consistency and reliability,Ensure product excellence.
  • 【Include】1、16 Value 32pcs IC;2、4 Value 8pcs Voltage Regulator tube;3、4 Value 4pcs Digital Tube;4、19 Value 190pcs Transistor;5、18 Value 36pcs Adjustable Resistors;6、5 Value 50pcs Photoresistors ;7、41 Value 820PCS Metal Film Resistor;8、14 Value 140pcs Zener Diodes;9、8 Value 100pcs Diode;10、11 Value 205pcs LED Diodes;11、14 Value 124PCS Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor;12、30 Value 300PCS Ceramic Capacitors;13、4 Value 4pcs PCB;14、2 Value 10pcs Switches;15、2 Values 10pcs Headers ;16、Terminals 5pcs
  • [Full assortment] The product contains 16 kinds of electronic components, each component contains a variety of specifications, a total of 2038PCS, fully covering the range of commonly used electronic components. A set of products to meet all your needs.
  • 【Easy to store】Each of the different components is packaged in a plastic bag and placed in a plastic container. Easy to store and remove.
  • 【Value for money】Minidodoca Electronic Components Package includes 16 different kinds components, 2038pcs in total,100% compatible for Arduino UNO, MEGA, Raspberry Pi, PLC, This is a great assortment of components for electronic professionals or enthusiasts.
Rank #3
Sale
REXQualis Electronics Component Fun Kit w/Power Supply Module, Jumper Wire, 830 tie-Points Breadboard, Precision Potentiometer,Resistor Compatible with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32
  • Highest Cost Components Kit: It comes with more than 400pcs sensors and components for fun and simple electronic projects.
  • Safe and Secure Pakcage: Resistors/LED/Transistors and Integrated Circuits are individually packaged and labeled, and well-stored in a sturdy box
  • The Breadboard Power Supply come with a USB Power Cables,which is hard to find.
  • Datasheet and Tutorial are available to download from our official website or you can contact our customer service.
  • Not including the controller board.

Sources

  • Contemporaneous acquisition coverage appeared in EE Times on October 12, 2000, and the Los Angeles Times on October 24, 2000.
  • EDN reported on Need2Buy’s Asia-Pacific marketplace and World Peace Industrial’s involvement.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.