Cree Inks Deal with Mouser, Acquires LED Maker

Semiconductor and electronic components distributor !%18910%%Mouser Electronics Inc.%!, a subsidiary of TTI Inc., has signed a global distribution agreement with !%Cree Inc.%! of Durham, N.C., an LED lighting and silicon carbide power products provider. The agreement will enable lighting designers to find, compare, select and order Cree’s LED and SiC products through the Mansfield, Texas, company, while Cree will gain access to Mouser’s design engineering marketing program and its fulfillment operations. Mouser offers customer support locations across multiple continents, with 42 country websites.

In other news, Cree has acquired LED outdoor lighting company Ruud Lighting Inc. for $525 million. The addition of the latter company’s BetaLED product line allows Cree to increase its leadership position in the LED industry and to extend the adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting worldwide. The purchase will provide increased access to the lighting market through expanded sales channels, and operating leverage from increased economies of scale. Ruud Lighting, based in Racine, Wis., will operate as a subsidiary of Cree’s lighting business.