Electrocomponents Announced as a Finalist of the National Business Awards

OXFORD, England, August 3, 2011 -

Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM) the world’s leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, has been named as a finalist for the Coutts & Co Large-Cap Business of the Year award, one of the most prestigious honours within the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange. Electrocomponents is one of only ten UK businesses to be shortlisted for the award including Debenhams and Johnson Matthey plc.

The National Business Awards is the UK’s most prestigious, independent corporate awards programme which recognises and rewards business excellence, ethics and innovation in UK organisations from all sectors. The Coutts & Co Large-Cap Business of the Year award, which is open by nomination only, is presented to the outstanding publicly-listed company with a turnover of more than £500m that has best demonstrated exceptional financial returns, strong sustainable growth and innovation strategies, and market prominence in its sector. Nominees are chosen by the National Business Awards following extensive research into the UK’s top performing companies over the last two years.

Ian Mason, Group Chief Executive, Electrocomponents, commented: “We are honoured to be chosen as a finalist of the National Business Awards. This is recognition of our excellent performance over the past year, which included record revenues exceeding £1 billion, strong sales growth of over 20%, and an increase in profits of over 50%. We have a proven business strategy which continues to deliver long-term growth.”

Alex Evans, Co-chair of Judges at the National Business Awards, said: “This year we are actively seeking out the champions of recovery not only driving growth but demonstrating exceptional resilience in challenging markets. The 2011 finalists have been chosen as the most sustainable and ambitious representatives of industries that have been impacted most by the recession or that have capitalised most on opportunities created by the new economy. The winning organisations will ultimately be held up as examples of excellent practice and an inspiration to all businesses.”

The winners will be honoured at the National Business Awards gala dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on Tuesday 8^th November 2011.

About Electrocomponents plc

Electrocomponents is the world’s leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products serving 1.6 million customers worldwide. Through operations in 32 countries and 17 warehouses, the Group distributes 550,000 products ranging from semiconductors and optoelectronics to power tools and protective clothing. The product and service portfolio supports the entire product lifecycle from R&D through pre-production to maintenance and repair, shipping more than 46,000 parcels on the same day the orders are received.

RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year to 31 March 2011 had revenues of £1.18bn.  For more information, please visit the website at www.electrocomponents.com.

More information is available via these links: RS Components on Linkedin

Relevant Links:
RS Components
Electrocomponents PLC

Editorial contact: Lynn Webster-Scott, Group PR Manager
Electrocomponents plc, Phone: +44(0)1865-207515
Email: lynn.webster-scott at electrocomponents.com