Leeds employer shortlisted for Innovation of the Year and Best Company with turnover above £50m

Farnell, Europe’s leading high service distributor of electronic components and a part of Premier Farnell Plc has been nominated in two categories at this year’s Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards.

The awards celebrate excellence and high performance within leading businesses in the Yorkshire region and the judging criteria is focused on enterprise, competitiveness, management, innovation, performance, customer service and employee motivation within the workplace. Farnell is shortlisted in the “Innovation of the Year” and “Companies with a turnover above £50m” categories.

Innovation is a key differentiator for Farnell, ranging from industry leading leadership ideas like the element14 eCommunity and the Knode on element14– both global industry firsts. As a company whose lifeblood pulses around hard-core asset management, high service and innovation, Farnell were the first in the world to devise, develop and take to market an online community exclusively focused on the electronic design engineering community.  Described as a ‘facebook for engineers’ it has brought together thousands of like minded people in every corner of the globe who have in interest in electronics, whether they are hobbyists, students or practicing design engineers.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards and I would like to pay tribute to all our teams for making this happen,” said Neil Harrison, President, Farnell Europe. “At Farnell we believe true innovation transcends product and service within the business - it needs to be part of the fabric of who we are, our culture, consciousness and psyche - and that’s what has been embedded across all levels of the organisation. Our employees and customers are at the heart of the business, which is another differentiator along with innovation.”

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 13 October at The Queens hotel, Leeds.

Ends

About Farnell

Farnell is the leading multi-channel, high service distributor of electronic components, electrical parts, industrial and maintenance, repair & operations products, supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals throughout Europe and Asia with the latest technologies. Farnell employs over 1200 people in more than 20 countries around the world and trades in over 100. With over 500,000 products in stock from over 3000 suppliers, our product portfolio continues to expand, offering our customers the very latest technologies.

Farnell is the current holder of the prestigious ‘Environmental Award’ which was presented to the company for its innovative biodegradable packaging at the 2010 Elektra Awards.

Farnell is part of the global Premier Farnell Group, which works across geographic and business boundaries. Sharing these facilities and best practice Farnell distribute a huge range of electronic components, electrical parts and wholesale electronics.

For more information visit the Farnell web site at http://uk.farnell.com/

Contact details for publication:

Tel: 08447 11 11 11

Fax: 08447 11 11 12

E-mail: sales@farnell.co.uk

Web: www.farnell.co.uk

Contact details for editorial enquiries:

Aakriti Kaushik, Farnell, Canal Road, Leeds, LS12 2TU

Tel: +44 (0) 113 279 0101 Ext: 4904

E-mail: akaushik@premierfarnell.com

Issued by:

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Tel: +44 (0) 20 8869 9339       Fax: +44 (0) 20 8868 4373

Web: www.pinnacle-marketing.com

E-mail: simonk@pinnaclemarcom.com

October 2011                          Ref: FAR435A