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12 August 2026
Strong partnerships can unlock a wealth of new opportunities in electronics manufacturing, from specialist expertise and alternative component options to more resilient supply chains.
J-TEQ’s relationship with German electronics distributor TRS-STAR is built on decades of shared history. Now, we are combining J-TEQ’s manufacturing expertise with TRS-STAR’s component knowledge and extensive partner network to give customers broader access to innovative technologies, sourcing options, and specialist support.
In this article, we explore the story behind the partnership and how it can support customers with FPGA technology, power components, and more resilient sourcing strategies.
The connection between J-TEQ and TRS-STAR goes far beyond a typical supplier relationship. Before becoming J-TEQ, our business operated as MSC (Scotland) Ltd. as part of the wider MSC organisation owned by Manfred Schwarztrauber. In 2006, Manfred also founded TRS-STAR in Germany as a subsidiary of the MSC group.
By 2014, the MSC group was sold to Avnet. Manfred retained TRS-STAR as an independent business, while MSC (Scotland) Ltd. underwent a management buyout and became J-TEQ. Although our two companies followed different paths, our relationship continued.
Today, TRS-STAR specialises in the distribution of electronic components, with a strong focus on high-growth semiconductor manufacturers and technologies including:
With Manfred’s son, Andreas Schwarztrauber, now playing a leading role at TRS-STAR, the brand remains closely connected with our team at J-TEQ. By combining our manufacturing capabilities with TRS-STAR’s component expertise and supplier network, we can give customers broader access to component solutions, sourcing options, and specialist support.
One area where our relationship with TRS-STAR opens up valuable new possibilities is FPGA technology.
With TRS-STAR’s specialist knowledge and established relationship with Efinix, J-TEQ customers can explore a wider range of programmable solutions when developing new products or reviewing existing designs. This gives customers more scope to consider alternative technologies that better meet their performance, power, footprint, availability, and cost requirements.
FPGAs give engineers the flexibility to configure and reconfigure hardware functionality for specific applications. This makes them well suited to projects where performance, parallel processing, adaptability, and specialised functionality are important.
Through its relationship with Efinix, TRS-STAR provides access to a range of FPGA solutions, development tools, evaluation boards, IP cores, and technical support.
Efinix takes a different approach to traditional FPGA design through its Quantum architecture. According to Efinix, this architecture is designed to improve power-performance-area efficiency by allowing resources to be configured for logic or routing depending on the design needs.
Its FPGA portfolio includes the Titanium, Topaz, and Trion families, supporting applications ranging from compact, low-power designs to high-performance and high-volume requirements.
For businesses developing new electronic products, access to a wider range of FPGA processes can open up valuable new design options. Rather than relying on a familiar component by default, reviewing alternative FPGA solutions during the design or value engineering stage can help identify opportunities to:
From New Product Introduction (NPI) through to full-scale production, J-TEQ uses value engineering to help customers improve performance, production readiness, cost efficiency, and long-term resilience.
By combining that manufacturing insight with TRS-STAR’s specialist FPGA knowledge, we can help customers evaluate a broader range of technologies and identify the solution best suited to the technical and commercial demands of their application.
Reliable component sourcing is just as important as selecting the right technology. Even the best-fit component can pose a risk if availability is limited, lead times increase, or no suitable alternatives are in place. This is where TRS-STAR’s power expertise can add real value. Its portfolio includes:
For customers, that breadth can open up additional sourcing options and help reduce reliance on a single supplier or manufacturer. Building viable second-source options into a procurement strategy can improve flexibility, strengthen continuity, and create opportunities to review lead times and costs.
Component substitution, however, is never simply a case of choosing the closest alternative. Technical suitability, quality, compliance, lifecycle, and manufacturability all need to be considered.
J-TEQ views component sourcing as part of the wider product and manufacturing strategy. By combining our procurement and value engineering expertise with TRS-STAR’s specialist power knowledge and manufacturer network, we can help customers identify suitable alternatives and build greater resilience into their supply chains.
The result is a more informed sourcing strategy that balances availability, performance, quality, and reliability.
The value of our collaboration with TRS-STAR extends beyond access to individual components or devices. Together, we can support customers in making better-informed decisions throughout product development and manufacture.
TRS-STAR opens the door to a broad network of manufacturers and product families, while our team at J-TEQ brings the practical manufacturing expertise needed to take those decisions from early-stage development to repeat production.
This combination gives customers access to alternative FPGA technologies, potential second sources for power components, and specialist insight when assessing component substitutions as part of a robust value engineering strategy.
Once the right solution has been identified, J-TEQ can help move it from concept into production. That could begin with rapid prototyping and component sourcing, before moving into PCB assembly and testing as the design is refined.
From there, we can support box builds and full production, giving customers continuity from early development through to manufacture.
For customers, that means access to a wider range of technical and sourcing options, backed by a manufacturing partner that understands both the product and the practical demands of taking it into production.
The electronics industry has changed considerably since J-TEQ operated as MSC (Scotland) Ltd., but strong relationships are just as valuable today.
Our longstanding connection with the team behind TRS-STAR gives us opportunities to combine decades of shared industry experience with emerging technical solutions, broader component options, and new ways of helping our customers solve sourcing and engineering challenges.
Whether you are evaluating FPGA technology for a new product, looking for alternative power components, reviewing your existing bill of materials, or seeking ways to make your electronics supply chain more resilient, our team at J-TEQ is here to support your goals.
Ready to explore your options? Talk to J-TEQ about your requirements and discover how our expertise, together with specialist support from TRS-STAR, can help you find the right solution.
