Life after digikey, where to go when your project has outgrown low volume.

[Psi]

The volume for one of my projects is getting a little big to keep ordering parts from digikey, or rather having the PCB house order from digikey. There's one part in particular that I need a couple of SMT reels of and digikey stock is often lower than that, even before covid happened.

So, my question is... where does everyone order their parts from when you find digikey just isn't cutting it any more? 
I'm guessing 2 reels isn't enough to talk direct to the manufacture?

Can anyone provide links to official resellers who sit in-between digikey and the manufacturer in terms of volume.  The kind of companies i'm talking about are the ones that probably only deal in buying full reels etc..

Thanks.

[Kean]

A few of the major component distributors off the top of my head
https://www.arrow.com/
https://www.avnet.com/
https://www.braemac.com/
https://www.futureelectronics.com/
https://www.we-online.com/

[olkipukki]

There's one part in particular that I need a couple of SMT reels of and digikey stock is often lower than that, even before covid happened.

Did you send RFQ to DK or at least asked them if they can supply components?

So, my question is... where does everyone order their parts from when you find digikey just isn't cutting it any more? 

It depends. Not always cheaper and faster order directly from manufacture compare to (in context) DK.
Don't forget you will deal with customs / shipping etc if go directly, so more hassle to handle.

I'm guessing 2 reels isn't enough to talk direct to the manufacture?

It depends. What are value of these reels? Sometimes each reel can be easy 5 figures

Can anyone provide links to official resellers who sit in-between digikey and the manufacturer in terms of volume. 

Just have a look your manufacturer's component and check who are distributors/resellers in your region.

[Psi]

Some good points.  Thank you

The part in question is a $1.40 mosfet and I need 9000 of them.

True, I had not considered price, and that the manufacturer might be happy to deal direct when the cost is high even if its only 2 reels. Good point!

[48X24X48X]

Most manufacturer nowadays have their own online store like TI, Maxim, Microchip for example. But if you are looking for larger quantity, companies like Avnet are the big boys. Before the internet sales boom, they were the guys that you need to go to and they have swallowed up other smaller distributor over time.

[Gribo]

Try looking for a local rep/Distributor. Smaller manufacturers usually have smaller local reps, which might be willing to help you more than the big players.

[mjs]

A few reels might still be doable from DK, just send them an RFQ.

The next step are the distributors mentioned above they're typically happy to sell you the MOQ stated in the datasheet/packaging documentation from the manufacturer.

Manufacturers prefer distributors dealing with the logistics, invoicing etc. until you reach significant volumes. My limited experience from low cost microcontrollers (remember the time when you were able to really buy them..) is 1-3 Mpcs/year from distributor, over 10 Mpcs from manufacturer.

[jmelson]

Try looking for a local rep/Distributor. Smaller manufacturers usually have smaller local reps, which might be willing to help you more than the big players.

Yes.  I have a local rep that carries On-Shore tech (euro-style 2-part headers and screw terminals).
 Their price is often HALF of the Digi-Key price, but typical lead times are 8-10 weeks.  I get these prices on 50
pieces.
Jon

[Gribo]

Yes, that is the expected saving compared to DK/Mouser. In the past, I dealt with one of TI's distributors and they quoted 60% off the Digikey price for single reel amounts (Chipcon transceivers, DC2DC & MSP430 parts), They were also willing to hold a buffer stock for certain parts.