Press Releases

RS Components unveils inspirational visitor experience at UK headquarters in Corby

Latest industry technology including virtual assistant feature in dramatic transformation

London, UK, 18 June 2018:

RS Components (RS) the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), a global multi-channel distributor, has completely transformed the reception area at its Corby headquarters in the UK into a unique visitor experience and innovation hub. The space has undergone a complete overhaul and offers visitors a chance to experience RS’ history from inception in1937, and explore cutting edge technology and innovation focused on customers’ changing needs, and differentiated product and service solutions. The hub celebrates changing culture in a digital world, illustrated using engaging digital and physical demonstrations, which are available to view and interact with. As the content will be continually refreshed, there will be a bespoke and varying experience for visitors on each visit.

Visitors can discover new worlds in the Design, Build, Maintain and Protect Zones, demonstrated through physical displays including an Igus robot, 3D printer and miniature robotic conveyer model. Displays provide inspiring content including stories from real-life inventors such as ‘flying man’ Richard Browning of Gravity Industries, as well as a VR time travel experience and a demonstration of how RS has been supporting engineers for more than eight decades.

There is also the opportunity to have a virtual walk-through of RS’ Global Logistics Centre based in Nuneaton, where the company ships over 55,000 parcels daily, as well as the new RS Local branch in Bermondsey, which has helped inspire the reception refurbishment. Visitors can also learn about RS’ evolving value added services and solutions portfolios including Digital Procurement Tools, Calibration, DesignSpark and ScanStock, through touch screen presentations.

The ‘Ideation Room’ provides an inspiring and dynamic environment for visitors and teams to hold blue sky thinking sessions within including modular digital and physical tools and enablers.

RS Managing Director, Mike England, said: “Innovation is at the very heart of everything we do, and we wanted this to be clearly communicated to all visitors to our Corby headquarters from the moment they step through the doors. Our commitment to innovation and to continuously improving the products and services we offer to our customers is something we are passionate about. This has been demonstrated by the transformation of two of our RS Local branches and through our work to promote engineering and new technologies on our Titan II truck, which is currently touring the UK, visiting various educational establishments, customers and suppliers.”

RS is building a network of company ‘avatars’ - specialists in different areas of the business who will be able to offer visitors bespoke and varying experiences of the new visitor and innovation hub. Displays and content will be continuously refreshed to reflect evolving technology and customer requirements.

Mike added: “We operate in a fast-paced digital industry, and we want visitors to our UK headquarters to see that we’re at the forefront of new technologies and are leading the way with innovative solutions, to support our customers and inspire them to achieve the impossible and change our world. A huge amount of creative thinking and work has gone into the transformation and we’re delighted with the result – we hope our visitors will appreciate it and learn new things about RS and new technology and innovation during every visit.”

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