RS Components and Allied Electronics & Automation pledge practical support for wider distribution sector to tackle the impact of COVID-19

LONDON, UK, 15 April 2020 – RS Components (RS) (https://uk.rs-online.com/web/) and Allied Electronics & Automation (Allied) (https://www.alliedelec.com/), the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc (LSE: ECM), a global multi-channel provider of industrial and electronic products and solutions, have pledged support for distributors worldwide, reaching out to the supply chain to offer practical assistance with fulfilment as shipping channels come under increasing strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Electrocomponents has published a COVID-19 action plan (https://www.electrocomponents.com/covid-19-action-plan), summarising how the Group is supporting the needs of customers, suppliers, employees and communities while implementing business continuity plans. The health and wellbeing of employees and their families is paramount, as are supplies to critical services across the world such as the public sector (police, fire and rescue, ambulance), food and beverage, power generation and utilities. In one example, RS collaborated quickly with supplier partner ebm-papst to fulfil an urgent need for components by UK-based Kbiosystems, to help build new machines to test and develop vaccines.

In an unprecedented move, a letter to suppliers and distributors from CEO Lindsley Ruth (https://www.electrocomponents.com/sites/electro-comp/files/media-library/our-pledge-to-continue-to-support-the-distribution-industry-through-covid-19.pdf) now outlines how he is extending the company’s emergency support plan to the wider distribution sector, to enable businesses to continue to deliver parts and ensure that critical supplies do not come to a halt through this crisis. Effective immediately, the Group has established a direct email address to advisers (partnersupport@electrocomponents.com), ready and waiting to identify solutions to provide shipment to accessible locations through its global distribution network. Though it is currently hard to predict the level of uptake, each request will be managed on a case-by-case basis for as long as support is required. The systems and processes to fulfil these transactions have been put in place and staff will be deployed at the company’s distribution centres according to the demand.

Lindsley Ruth stresses, “In these unprecedented times, both personally and professionally, we must support one another in distribution, to do all we can to support our customers, many of whom are playing a critical role at this time.”

By responding quickly to the coronavirus outbreak, and through active engagement across its supply chain, RS and Allied have succeeded in maintaining strong inventory and consistency of supply and have continuity plans for their 12 distribution centres across the globe, which currently remain open and operating effectively.

In the UK, Electrocomponents has signed the C-19 Business Pledge, a national initiative (https://www.c19businesspledge.org/) founded by former cabinet minister The Rt. Hon. Justine Greening and entrepreneur David Harrison. The initiative urges businesses and universities across Britain to mobilise a collective effort to tackle COVID-19, and to safeguard the country’s long-term recovery by supporting employees, customers and communities. The initiative has to date received the backing of employers representing more than 1.5 million staff and students. Those joining Electrocomponents in the effort include BP, Everton Football Club, National Grid, Severn Trent Water and Northampton University, among many others.

About RS and Allied

RS Components (RS) and Allied Electronics & Automation (Allied) are trading brands of Electrocomponents plc.

RS offers more than 500,000 industrial and electronic products, sourced from over 2,500 leading suppliers, and provides a wide range of value-added services to over one million customers. With operations in 32 countries, RS ships more than 50,000 parcels a day.

Allied Electronics & Automation is an authorized distributor of industrial automation products, electronic components and electromechanical products with sales offices serving the Americas. With more than three million parts online, engineers and purchasers often look to Allied for a broad range of product solutions from more than 300 world-class suppliers.

RS and Allied support customers across the product life cycle, whether via innovation and technical support at the design phase, improving time to market and productivity at the build phase, or reducing purchasing costs and optimising inventory in the maintenance phase. Customers have access to tailored product and service propositions that are essential for the successful operation of their businesses and help them save time and money.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year ended 31 March 2019 reported revenue of £1.88 billion. Electrocomponents has seven operating brands: RS Components, Allied Electronics & Automation, RS PRO, OKdo, DesignSpark, IESA and Monition.

Further information is available via these links:

RS Components
https://uk.rs-online.com/web

Allied Electronics & Automation
https://www.alliedelec.com/

Electrocomponents plc
http://www.electrocomponents.com