[5] In the early 1950s, with additional franchises and a small field sales organization, Arrow began selling electronic parts to industrial customers.

During the 1960s, Arrow moved its headquarters to Farmingdale, New York (Long Island), and opened additional branches in Norwalk, Connecticut, and Totowa, New Jersey.

[citation needed] During the 1970s decade, by winning key semiconductor franchises (led by Texas Instruments in 1970) and opening sales offices in over 20 U.S. cities, Arrow grew its electronics distribution business at an average annual rate of 34 percent.

(This business, having served its purpose, was sold in 1987 amidst problems associated with being designated an EPA Superfund site contaminated with lead and chromium.

[7]) In the 1970s, Arrow discontinued its retail operations and inaugurated the electronics distribution's first integrated online, real-time computer system to provide up-to-the-minute inventory positions and facilitate remote order entry.

That same year, it acquired Cramer Electronics (historically the U.S.'s second-largest distributor), the company's first major industry acquisition, which provided access to many markets in the western United States.

[5] On December 4, 1980, the Stouffer's Inn Fire killed 13 members of Arrow's senior management, including Glenn and Green.

Under Kaufman's leadership, Arrow completed over 50 acquisitions of electronics distributors, including such prominent names as Ducommun (Kierulff), Lex (Schweber), Zeus, Anthem, Bell, and Wyle (all in the U.S.), Spoerle (Germany), Silverstar (Italy), and CAL (Hong Kong and China).

[5] In 1998, Arrow Electronics established a 50/50 joint venture with Marubun Corporation [ja] of Japan called Marubun/Arrow in order to augment and support each other's operations in Asia and North America.

In 2003, William E. Mitchell, former president of the global services division of Solectron Corporation, joined Arrow as chief executive officer and,[11] in 2006, became chairman.

During Mitchell's six years at Arrow, sales climbed to $17 billion as the company increased shareholder returns, improved operating efficiencies, and completed 17 acquisitions.

[12][13] A long-time Arrow executive, Long joined the company in 1991 through the merger with Schweber Electronics and served in various senior management positions before becoming CEO.