RS Components Celebrates 75 Years of Business Success

LONDON, September 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Award-winning growth achieved through eCommerce, international trade and customer service

RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the world's leading high-service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, is celebrating 75 years in business. From humble beginnings in a small London garage in 1937, RS has grown into a successful multinational organisation by retaining its focus on high-service-level customer support while evolving into a multi-channel business with eCommerce at its heart.

Over the last 75 years, RS has transformed itself from a UK company into a global business. With direct operations in 30 countries and distributors in a further 37 markets, RS is the number one high-service distributor across Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The company's 16 distribution centres located worldwide enable it to provide high service levels to over one million customers.

The company's success is a direct result of its ability to embrace change, adapting to the needs of the market and its customers. Together with its broad product range of more than 550,000 products, including anything from rechargeable batteries to ethernet cables to semiconductors, eCommerce has become a major driver of the company's growth, allowing it to have a long-term, multi-channel relationship with its customers. Recently, RS has transformed its customers' online experience with the introduction of eProcurement systems, a Live Chat service in 12 markets, electronics design tools and one of the most advanced transactional websites in the distribution sector.

Originally known as Radiospares, the business rebranded as RS Components in 1971. Key milestones in its history include a number of industry firsts:

• First electronics and maintenance distributor to have an own-label range (1937)
• First to offer free next-day delivery (1937)
• First catalogue distributor to introduce a CD-Rom version (1995)
• First to launch a transactional website (1998)
• First to launch free-to-access PCB schematic tool, DesignSpark PCB (2010)
• First to launch an iPad version of its customer magazine, eTech (2011)

Ian Mason, Group Chief Executive at Electrocomponents, commented: "Our significant growth over the last 75 years is testament to our focus on providing a service second to none to our customers, which is thanks to the dedication and hard work of our employees. Commitment to innovation has been a key driver of this growth, resulting in award-winning eCommerce initiatives that enable us to compete successfully in this digital age."

Celebrations across the UK sites include special commemorative tea parties and tree planting. Each site is also decorated with the anniversary logo and bunting to mark the occasion.  

In addition to a commemorative tree being planted by the Mayor of Corby, Councillor Mohammed Rahman, staff will also enjoy a celebratory tea and special entertainment during the day today.

At the distribution centre in Nuneaton, the Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth, Councillor John Haynes and the Mayoress, Mrs Hilda Haynes, will plant an anniversary tree and meet staff at the site. A special charity raffle is taking place during a commemorative tea party.

About RS Components

RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the world's leading high-service distributor of electronics and maintenance products. With operations in 32 countries, we offer more than 550,000 products through the Internet, catalogues and at trade counters to over one million customers, shipping more than 46,000 parcels on the same day the orders are received. Our products, sourced from 2,500 leading suppliers, include electronics, automation and control, test and measurement, electrical and mechanical components.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year ended 31 March 2012 had revenues of £1.27bn.

For more information, please visit the website at http://www.rs-components.com.

Editorial contact
Amy Hayward-Paine
UK PR Manager
amy.hayward-paine@rs-components.com
+44(0)1536-405156 / +44(0)7796-275472

Further information is available via these links:

RS Components on Linkedin
http://www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components

Electrocomponents plc
http://www.electrocomponents.com

RS Components
http://www.rs-components.com

RS Components on Twitter
@RSComponents