Press Releases

RS Components marks official opening of extended distribution centre

Bad Hersfeld site now operates with advanced technology and offers massively expanded capacity

London, UK, 9 November 2021:

RS Components (RS), a trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE: ECM), a global omni-channel provider of product and service solutions, today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the expansion of the company’s distribution centre (DC) at Bad Hersfeld, Germany.

RS has made a significant investment over the past two years to create one of the company’s largest distribution centres in its global supply chain network, fully automated and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. At the official opening event, customers and suppliers were invited to see the highly automated stock processing capability and warehouse management system now installed at the site.

Environmental considerations have been a priority in this expansion project, and the facility is equipped with a 6000 m² solar powered system and a green (grass seeded) roof. Furthermore, the number of products held in closer proximity to customers in Continental Europe has almost tripled to circa 500,000. This will not only contribute to a substantial reduction in the company’s carbon footprint but will also ensure that service levels are of the highest standard, with delivery reliability to match EU and global demands.

The distribution centre is equipped with an extensive computerised, multi-shuttle system, and a conveyor system of two kilometres in length. The system is capable of managing 300,000 storage trays that can be stored and retrieved at a rate of 9,000 trays per hour.

Situated in the heart of Europe, this leading-edge facility has been expanded by approximately 16,000 m² to create a storage area of around 37,000 m². This allows additional space for a vastly increased product range and stock levels, benefitting suppliers and customers with improved service and delivery.

“While delivering major benefits across our supply chain both in EMEA and globally, the technological efficiencies and increased storage capacity we have created through this expansion are a true reflection of the organisation’s commitment to our ESG (environmental, social and governance) goal of advancing sustainability,” said Debbie Lentz, President of Global Supply Chain at Electrocomponents. “A BIG thank you goes to the project team and to all Bad Hersfeld employees for bringing this project to fruition, particularly when faced with the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19.”

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