About Us  >  Allied History
  • Allied Electronics History

    Over the years, Allied Electronics has built an enviable reputation as a distributor of electronic components.

    Since our conception in 1928, Allied's main pursuit, and now our legacy, has been providing excellence through customer service. Now, as part of the Electrocomponents Group, Allied has added a global presence to our customer orientation – the latest chapter in our fascinating, eight decade history.

  • 1928-29

    Allied Radio is established as the radio parts distribution arm of Columbia Radio Corporation. The company is one of the first to sell electronics through a catalog and is soon to become one of the most recognizable names in the electronics industry.

  • 1932

    The company begins building a growing business in marketing radio parts and kits to home hobbyists. In addition, Allied opens storefront distribution outlets to reach more amateur ham radio operators and experimenters.

  • 1941-45

    Having survived the depression, Allied focuses on the war effort, primarily servicing government contracts and high-priority industrial orders. Allied gains experience in the industrial arena for the first time through government and military contracts, which laid the groundwork for the distribution niche we occupy today.

  • 1946-60

    The electronics industry explodes as new developments in electronics are adopted on a widespread basis in commerce and industry. Innovations such as television, industrial automation, space technology and defense accelerate the need for electronics. Consumer demand also grows as radio sets and components not available during the war proliferated. During this exciting era, Allied gains both the experience and specialized staff necessary to handle both consumer and industrial sales.

  • 1962

    Allied Radio releases the first industrial catalog for Allied Electronics. The company continues to serve both professional and amateur radio operators as one of the few places to locate "hard-to-get" pieces of radio equipment.

  • 1970

    Allied moves its headquarters from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Worth, Texas.

  • 1981

    Allied begins the process of moving from an all-manual system to a fully computerized company. The process was completed in 1985.

  • 1995

    Allied is the first electronics distribution company to come out with a CD-ROM catalog and quickly follows by entering the e-commerce arena with the launch of a website.

  • 1999

    Allied Electronics is acquired by Electrocomponents of the United Kingdom. Now, as part of the Electrocomponents Group, Allied adds a global presence to its customer orientation.

  • 2007

    With business continuing to grow at staggering rates, Allied builds a new and bigger home in Fort Worth, Texas, complete with a state-of-the-art warehouse logistics management system designed by Knapp AG.

  • 2012

    In anticipation of continued accelerated growth in the coming years, Allied replaces its home-grown Legacy ERP system with SAP.

  • 2013

    Allied celebrates 85 years as a premier electronics distributor and America's Distributor of Choice.


© Allied Electronics, Inc. 2013. All rights reserved.