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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
[http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=services&file=history ], 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
[http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/batteries/rechargeable-batteries ] to ethernet cables
[http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/cables-wires/network-communication-cable/thin-ethernet-cable ]
to semiconductors [http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/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
[http://www.designspark.com ] 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 GBP1.27bn.
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
RS Components
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
[http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=services&file=history ], 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
[http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/batteries/rechargeable-batteries ] to ethernet cables
[http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/cables-wires/network-communication-cable/thin-ethernet-cable ]
to semiconductors [http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/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
[http://www.designspark.com ] 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 GBP1.27bn.
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
RS Components