Future Electronics Inc. is a distributor of electronic and electro-mechanical components headquartered in Pointe-Claire, Quebec.
 | |
 Headquarters in Montreal, Canada | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Robert G. Miller |
| Fate | Acquired by WT Microelectronics |
| Headquarters | Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada |
Number of locations | 170 offices in 44 countries |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Omar Baig-Mirza (President) |
| Revenue | US$5 billion (2014) |
Number of employees | 5,200 (2023) |
| Website | futureelectronics |
Future Electronics is one of Quebec's largest privately owned companies and is currently the third largest electronics distributor in the world. It operates in 170 locations in 44 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
The company follows a business model that emphasizes zero debt and the willingness to buy and hold inventories, allowing the company to maintain positive relationship with component suppliers. In 2014, its revenues were $5 billion.
History
Future Electronics was founded in November 1968 when Robert Miller left his job in electronics distribution to form a new company. Alongside his business partner, Eli Manis, Miller set up an office in Montreal and began a distribution operation. In 1972, the pair opened an office in Boston, Massachusetts.
Miller became the sole owner of the company after he bought Manis out for $500,000 in 1976. By 1988, an office in Huntsville, Alabama had opened its doors, and Future Electronics was a major distributor in the United States.
In the decades that followed, Future became a globally recognised distributor of components. It remains privately owned to this day.
In 1999, the company was raided by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in a fraud probe into the company. A few years later, in 2002, the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office announced they would not pursue charges in the matter.
In February 2023, its founder ceased to be chairman and CEO of the company amid allegations that he solicited multiple underage girls for sex, while denying the accusations.
In late 2023, it was announced that WT Microelectronics had entered into an agreement to acquire Future for US$3.8 billion, to be completed in the first half of 2024. On April 2, 2024, WT Microelectronics of Taiwan announced it had completed the acquisition.
Leadership history
Chief Executive Officers of Future include:
- Robert Gerald Miller (1968–2023)
- Omar Baig-Mirza (2023–Present)
See also
- Competitor CDW
- Competitor TD Synnex
- Competitor Arrow Electronics
- Competitor Avnet