RS Supplier Newsletter – January 2025

I’d like to start by wishing you all a happy new year. Whilst 2024 was tough at times for our industry, it was really promising to see some green shoots of recovery during the last few months of the year, giving a more positive outlook for us all as we move into 2025.

Working in partnership with you, our suppliers, has undoubtedly played a significant part in being able to seize opportunities and overcome the challenges we have faced together, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen relationships further throughout 2025.

To start the new year off, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we delivered during the second half of 2024.

We look back on a busy exhibition and event program during October and November, when we ran a series of RS Connect events in Iberia, Italy and the UK. These events are a fantastic opportunity for our colleagues, our suppliers and our customers to meet in person to share ideas, challenges and solutions. And it is always great to hear the buzz of conversation and feel the energy in the room.

We then head off to Munich and Nuremberg to reflect on Electronica and SPS respectively. Unusually, both shows ran during the same week in November and as the key exhibitions for the electronics and automation markets, we believed it was important for us to attend both, despite the clash of dates. At each venue, our stands were busy and our meeting rooms were filled with meaningful conversations with customers and suppliers alike as we showcased our product offering and service solutions.

September saw the completion of Release 1 of our Product Management Solutions (PMS) project, designed to increase the speed and efficiency of our product launch processes. The results have been outstanding, with records smashed along the way, and I’d like to thank you for your support as we ironed out the processes to make these improvements happen.

Our Meet the Team focus for this edition is Danny Hobson, Head of Product & Supplier Sustainability. Those of you who have had the opportunity to connect directly with Danny will recognize his genuine passion and commitment to sustainability. In this edition he shares how ESG is embedded in our core business as RS is committed to delivering on our 2030 Action Plan.

And finally, I’d like to introduce our new Supplier Partner Programme, an e-commerce initiative designed to create customised supplier digital merchandising strategies by using insights and data to boost your brand’s performance.

So overall a fully loaded newsletter as we close off 2024 and look ahead to our partnerships continuing to thrive throughout 2025.

Thanks,

Kristian Olsson

Senior Vice President EMEA Product & Supplier Management

In October, the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Milan set the stage for two incredible days of RS Connect in Italy. Over 100 RS colleagues came together with 220 customers and 160 suppliers in what turned out to be a dynamic and inspiring event, packed with opportunities to strengthen relationships and spark new business ventures.

Day one kicked off with suppliers showcasing cutting-edge solutions to the RS sales team, creating a buzz of innovation and collaboration. On day two, a record-breaking 220 customers joined the event, opening doors to exciting new partnerships and valuable opportunities for the future.

A dedicated breakout room brought RS value-added solutions to life, with engaging presentations on RS Procurement Solutions, RS Inventory Solutions, and RS Safety Solutions, giving attendees a first-hand look at how RS can make their operations smoother, smarter, and safer.

This year’s RS Connect wasn’t just about business—it was about making a difference. Partnering with Treedom and Up2You, we calculated the environmental impact of RS Connect 2024 and offset it by planting 200 trees in agroforestry projects. These trees won’t just absorb CO₂—they’ll also provide economic and social benefits to local communities.

But that’s not all! From the very start, we committed to reducing our footprint by going plastic-free and using eco-friendly materials across the board—from gadgets to badges and catering to the room fittings. Every detail was carefully designed to minimize the environmental impact of our event.

A huge thank you to our incredible partners, suppliers, and customers who made this edition of RS Connect such a resounding success. Together, we created an unforgettable atmosphere where ideas flowed freely, transforming into tangible projects and growth opportunities.

Under the inspiring theme "Moving Forward Together, Growing Together," RS Iberia hosted an incredible event that brought together 29 strategic suppliers and our Iberian colleagues for a day packed with collaboration, innovation, and a whole lot of fun!

The day kicked off with RS Iberia Country Manager Mikel Álava introducing RS’s new strategic vision, setting the tone for an exciting and forward-thinking gathering. The energy ramped up during Connect & Go—a high-paced, ‘speed dating’ session where RS employees rotated through supplier stands every 13 minutes. This dynamic format sparked engaging conversations and fresh ideas, creating a buzz of opportunity for everyone involved.

The event also shone a spotlight on exceptional partnerships during the first-ever RS Awards, where we celebrated suppliers who’ve gone above and beyond:

• Supplier of the Year: Stanley Black & Decker
• ESG Commitment Award: Omron Electronics Iberia
• Commercial Support Award: Phoenix Contact

These well-deserved recognitions highlighted the incredible efforts and contributions of our suppliers to our shared success.

The day wasn’t just about business—it was about building relationships too. The Connect & Fun session brought some friendly competition with a lively Kahoot quiz, testing everyone’s industry expertise in a fun and interactive way. And to wrap things up on a refreshing note, attendees got hands-on in a team-building cocktail-making activity—mixing creativity with camaraderie!

A huge thank you to all our suppliers and colleagues for making the RS Iberia event such a memorable experience. Together, we’re not just moving forward; we’re growing stronger than ever!

In early November, RS Connect UK roared to life at the iconic setting of Silverstone, the home of British Motorsport. The event brought together 75 of our key and strategic suppliers alongside a record-breaking number of customers, creating an exciting atmosphere of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity.

The first day was all about equipping our RS colleagues with the tools to better support our customers. Colleagues explored an engaging supplier exhibition, gaining hands-on insight into the extensive range of products and services we offer. This was an invaluable opportunity to strengthen knowledge, share expertise, and enhance our ability to deliver outstanding solutions to customers and was followed by an evening of celebration as we held our annual Supplier Awards to recognise the most strategic and collaborative partnerships we have developed over the year.

Day two saw 250 customers from various industries arrive at Silverstone to dive deeper into how we can support their businesses. Customers engaged with suppliers, attended demonstrations, and explored tailored solutions to tackle the unique challenges they face in their sectors.

The conversations throughout the two days were nothing short of inspiring. RS sales teams and suppliers came together to uncover exciting opportunities, schedule joint visits, and work collaboratively to address customer pain points. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as ideas transformed into actionable plans, paving the way for innovative solutions and stronger partnerships. Take a look at the highlights of our UK event here.

On Tuesday, November 12, Messe München Exhibition Centre buzzed with excitement as it welcomed the biggest names in electronics from around the globe to electronica 2024.

Over four action-packed days, more than 3,480 exhibitors showcased their cutting-edge innovations to over 80,000 visitors, making this year’s event the largest yet, spanning an incredible 18 halls.

Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, CEO of Messe München, reflected on a very positive four days, saying “For 60 years, electronica has been the central meeting place for the global electronics industry. This year’s trade fair here in Munich, a leading technology hub, was once again an impressive demonstration of the industry’s innovative strength. In the halls, visitors were able to see first-hand how future technologies are already taking shape—from intelligent energy solutions to smart mobility—and the vital role the electronics industry plays in making this happen.”

For us, electronica isn’t just about innovation—it’s about connection. Across the four days, we strengthened relationships with customers, made new contacts, and held over 55 meetings with many of you, our suppliers, reaffirming partnerships and exploring exciting opportunities.

Summing up the event, Christian Horn, Chief of Product & Supply Chain said “We have had some amazing customer interaction, allowing us to showcase our latest technologies and we’ve been engaging intensely with our supplier partners. What a fantastic event it has been!”

Electronica 2024 truly set the bar for innovation, collaboration, and progress in the industry. What a show!

From November 12–14, Nuremberg played host to SPS 2024, one of the premier trade fairs for automation, showcasing the full spectrum of smart and digital technologies. This year’s event was bigger and better than ever, with over 1,114 exhibitors and 51,000 visitors packing into an impressive 125,000 square meters of exhibition space. And for the first time, SPS coincided with electronica in Munich, making it a huge week for the industry.

At SPS, we pulled out all the stops with our largest stand to date! Visitors had the chance to explore a blend of innovative products and service solutions, including our digital automation hub featuring over 800,000 products across all maintenance categories.

Interactive displays were a big hit, with visitors getting hands-on with products and experiencing live demos of our inventory solutions, like ScanStock® and VendStock®, showing how we’re making automation smarter and easier.

A huge shoutout to our fantastic partner suppliers—Omron, Moxa, PATLITE®, and BOPLA—who joined us on the stand. Their support helped make this year’s SPS a resounding success.

We’re already looking forward to what SPS 2025 will bring. Thanks to everyone who visited us and made this event one to remember!

Back in August last year, we kicked off Release 1 of our Product Management Solution (PMS) project. The goal? To revolutionise how we bring new products into the RS range by improving capacity, efficiency, and speed. Now, we’re thrilled to share the incredible progress we’ve made and the impact it’s had so far.

The PMS project isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about delivering value for our customers, suppliers, and colleagues alike.

• Broader Choices: Offering a wider depth and breadth of products to meet their needs.
• Faster Access: To all the latest and greatest new products.

• Showcasing Full Ranges: Increasing the depth and breadth of products to maximise exposure and drive growth.
• Simplified Submissions: Providing a single point of entry for product data, which we’re able to utilise in multiple languages.
• Faster Market Access: Accelerating the New Product Introduction (NPI) process to get products live quickly and efficiently.

• Streamlined Processes: Simplifying the steps needed to launch new products.
• Modern Tools: Using new and improved systems with intuitive and modern User Interfaces (UIs).

We built Release 1 with a rock-solid framework that’s already producing game-changing results, enabling us to deliver NPI at a volume and speed far beyond what we have previously been able to achieve, with record numbers of products going live on a daily basis. And we’re not stopping there - we head into the next phase of the project with a target to improve our previous NPI velocity by over 700%!

To be honest, there’s no such thing as a typical day. Every day is different and brings its own challenges and opportunities in how we can work with our suppliers, and ultimately our customers, to support them in realising their own sustainability targets. One day, I might be meeting with suppliers to share our progress on driving the green agenda, while also learning about their sustainability plans. These conversations are great for identifying ways we can collaborate and learn from each other’s successes to really make a difference for our customers.

Another day, I might be diving into the latest legislation updates, ensuring that our processes, services, and Better World product ranges align with those changes. And then there are days like SPS, where I find myself on stage in front of thousands of people discussing sustainability and innovation!

I’m really excited about continuing to work closely with suppliers to transform our industry. Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and we have the power to combine our efforts, knowledge, and innovations to drive real change.

For me, it’s all about making a meaningful difference—not just for RS, but for our customers, suppliers and the planet. The progress we’ve made so far is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see how we continue to evolve together.