RS Supplier Newsletter – September 2025

Following a period of robust testing, we will be working to deliver Release 2 of our Product Management Solution (PMS) project over the coming months. As a project, PMS has already delivered significant improvements in our capacity and capability to drive range expansion and introduce your new products to the RS range. However, we know this has come with some challenges and frustrations for you, our supplier partners, as our new processes and ways of working are embedding, and we have taken on board your feedback from Release 1 to make sure we improve your experience throughout Release 2.

We’re also proud to announce that RS Group has earned a place on CDP’s 2024 Supplier Engagement A-List, recognising our leadership in climate action across our supply chain. This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared commitment we have with you, our supplier partners, to build a more sustainable world.

In the Renewables sector, we highlight our growing role in supporting the UK’s wind energy infrastructure, both on- and off-shore. From expanding access to critical MRO products to joining the Energi Coast Leadership Group, you can read more on how we’re helping to keep turbines turning and accelerating the transition to clean energy.

We’re also thrilled to introduce SolarAid as our new global charity partner, as voted for by our people across RS Group. SolarAid brings solar power to rural African communities, replacing harmful kerosene lamps and empowering local entrepreneurs. This partnership reflects our deep commitment to social impact and sustainability, and we look forward to working together with SolarAid over the next three years.

During our four-year partnership with The Washing Machine Project, we’ve raised nearly £1 million, and contributed our expertise and resources to build hundreds of washing machines for distribution to communities around the world, transforming daily life for over 46,000 people, and I am grateful for the support you have also added to these efforts. This is an amazing achievement of working together as one team, delivering brilliantly to do the right thing and make every day better for thousands of people, and we are very proud of the work we have done together with TWMP. We will continue to work with TWMP, during the remainder of 2025 and beyond this, we will explore meaningful ways to stay connected and champion their work and growth.

And finally, it was a true privilege to be invited to attend Festo’s centenary celebration back in July, marking a remarkable 100 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and enduring values. From its humble beginnings in 1925 in Esslingen, to becoming a global market leader, Festo’s journey is a testament to visionary thinking and the long-term perspective of family-led stewardship.

So, an edition that celebrates what we can achieve together! Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. Let’s keep making amazing happen – for you as our supplier partners, our customers, our communities, and our planet.

Kristian Olsson

Senior Vice President, Product & Supplier Management, EMEA

Christian Horn, Chief of Product & Supply Chain and Deliver to Promise Project Sponsor says: “We are proud to announce that Phase 2 of the Delivery to Promise project is now live across EMEA. This milestone builds on the solid foundation laid in Phase 1 and represents a significant step forward in how we serve our customers. By delivering more reliable, data-driven promise dates and improved visibility of product availability through an enhanced online experience, we are creating a more consistent and dependable service”.

Our suppliers play a vital role in this journey. Your continued commitment to providing accurate delivery information is essential to ensuring we meet — and exceed — customer expectations together. We depend on accurate delivery dates into RS to ensure our systems reflect the most current information. This accuracy enables us to confidently promote and deliver your brand — on time, every time.”

We are excited to continue collaborating with you to bring these changes to life. This initiative reflects our dedication to enhancing customer satisfaction and driving innovation. Together, we can achieve remarkable results and create lasting value for our customers.

As a renewable energy source, wind power is an essential component in the global transition to clean energy, helping to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

There are two different types of wind power generation:

Onshore – generated by wind turbines on land, typically located in rural areas with less wind obstruction.

Offshore – generated by wind turbines in the sea, generally considered to be more efficient with consistent direction and higher wind speeds.

We support critical infrastructure projects for the onshore and offshore wind industries across EMEA as well as in the UK, enabling fast access to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and solutions which support our customers to keep these turbines turning. Our support includes:

Access to more spares and parts – expanding our product catalogue to offer hard-to-find parts for easier and more affordable maintenance.

Building bespoke tool kits – for faster and more efficient operations & maintenance.

Analysis – supporting preventative maintenance strategies for turbine health and efficiency.

In 2024/25, we joined the Energi Coast Leadership Group, operated by NOF. We are thrilled to join over 30 key regional businesses and stakeholder organisations, including EDF, SSE Renewables, Equinor, Vårgrønn and RWE, along with many others who are taking action to advance offshore wind. The leadership group helps to inspire the regional supply chain to invest in the sector and showcases the capabilities of offshore wind in the UK and abroad.

Amy Quinn, Head of Offshore Wind, says “This is a major milestone in our journey to become the UK’s leading MRO supplier in Offshore Wind and high recognition for the way we have approached and worked with industry stakeholders to provide more than just a transactional offering but a tailored approach which meets the needs of the sector. The industry is moving at pace and supply chain companies such as RS are paramount to the success of delivering 50GW of offshore wind by 2030.”

If you’d like to find out more about our work in the Renewables sector or talk to us about how we can work together to make amazing happen for a better world, contact our Renewables Team.

SolarAid fight poverty and climate change by bringing solar lights and power to rural African communities, replacing harmful kerosene lamps. They empower local entrepreneurs – especially women – to sell solar lights within their communities, helping to create jobs and create sustainable impact.

Andrea Barrett, Chief Sustainability Officer, says, "We’re thrilled to announce SolarAid as our new global charity partner, as chosen by our people. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who voted and to all four shortlisted charities for the incredible work they do.

"SolarAid’s work to bring clean, safe light to communities without electricity deeply resonates with our purpose and values. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to work together as one team to make every day better; together we'll improve people's lives, inspire future generations and create a more sustainable world. We look forward to working with SolarAid, our people, and our customer and supplier networks to deliver a brilliant, high-impact partnership over the next three years.”

SolarAid's Corporate Partnerships Manager, Lyndsay Dixon, was delighted at the news, saying “We’re absolutely thrilled to be voted as the new RS global charity partner. This is an incredible opportunity to deliver impact at scale. With the power of the sun, we can bring lasting, sustainable change - helping children study after the sun sets, supporting businesses to grow, and enabling communities to thrive for generations. We can’t wait to get started and, together, make amazing happen - reaching millions of people currently living without electricity, and building a brighter, cleaner future for people and planet.”

We will continue to volunteer with The Washing Machine Project (TWMP) as a core member of our community network. Since first partnering with TWMP in 2021, we have joined together to raise nearly £1 million, and contributed our expertise and resources to build hundreds of washing machines for distribution to communities around the world, transforming daily life for over 46,000 people. This is an amazing achievement of working together as one team, delivering brilliantly to do the right thing and make every day better for thousands of people, and we are very proud of the work we have done together with TWMP.

You can hear more about SolarAid and how they make amazing happen for a better world here or visit their website [link to SolarAid website], and if you would like to know how you can get involved with our future initiatives with SolarAid, please contact our Youth & Community Team.