RS Components has won a three year contract worth Eur 15 million to supply Thales
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an international electronics and systems group serving the defence, aerospace, security and services markets worldwide. Thales selected RS for a minimum of three years after a lengthy tender process involving two potential suppliers. RS was chosen to support several strategic purchasing objectives including reduced transactional costs, a reduction in the current vendor base and an increased product portfolio.

RS was commended for its ability to provide any catalogue item worldwide, its additional services that would support Thales’ competitiveness, and its view of market share.

The winning provider was required to maintain high quality and service levels, with an e-procurement service and extensive support for the RoHS Directive and, again, RS excelled.

Thales was attracted by the company’s recently introduced 100,000 item extended-range product roster and its comprehensive e-procurement system.
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Feedback from Thales worldwide divisions revealed that RS had the most reliable delivery service, while the dedicated RoHS programme - where RS compliant products are clearly labelled - provided another incentive.

Thales Group’s Component Purchasing Manager said: ‘RS has proven itself to be the best in the field when it comes to services and reliability’.

‘Its range of products and e-procurement services will help us achieve our own objectives of improved competitiveness and growth’.

RS Global Account Manager, Paul Umpleby, said: ‘Thales has chosen RS because it can rely on us to supply any product from our extensive range anywhere in the world, while our e-procurement service saves time and cuts transaction costs, leading to a more efficient purchasing strategy’.

‘Operating as a global company, we share Thales’ strategic vision for growth in the years ahead’.