RS Components Enters Eastern Europe in Next Stage of its Regional Growth Strategy

Localised e-Commerce Solution Initially Available in Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary

OXFORD, England, January 11, 2011 - RS Components, the world's largest high service distributor of
electronics and maintenance products, has announced its entry into Eastern
Europe. Initially RS has launched a full e-commerce solution in local
languages and currencies for Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary; this will be
followed by other Eastern European markets over the coming months.

"The successful restructuring of our European organisation has been an
important factor in our positive performance over the past year," said Klaus
Göldenbot, Regional General Manager, RS Components EMEA. "The next step in
our regional growth strategy is to rapidly build our activity across Eastern
Europe. We have a unique proposition for our customers through service
excellence and access to the broadest and deepest range of products. Our aim
is to establish a solid business with significant sales revenues and to
become the leading high service level (HSL) partner in these markets within
five years."

The fully functional websites for Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary,
which went live on January 3, offer over 500,000 electronics and maintenance
products, which are despatched on the same day that the orders are received.
RS has already handled many website registrations, enquiries and customer
orders, which have been successfully processed and despatched from the
company's warehouse in Bad Hersfeld, Germany. Locally based sales and
regional multi channel marketing teams will support the expansion across the
Eastern European region, ensuring the same fast and reliable high level
service offer that RS provides in its other established markets across
Europe.

RS research shows that the high service distribution market in Central
and Eastern Europe is worth more than EUR1.5 billion. Furthermore,
fundamental requirements, such as industrial infrastructure, are already in
place in these markets indicating that the time is right for RS to enjoy
success with its high service distribution model.

ABOUT RS COMPONENTS

RS Components (RS) is the world's largest distributor of electronics and
maintenance products serving 1.5 million customers worldwide. Through
operations in 27 countries and 17 warehouses, the Group distributes 500,000
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 around 40,000 orders on the same day they 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 2010 had revenues of GBP972.6 million.
For more information, please visit the website at
www.rs-components.com.

    Contacts:

    Andrea Barnard
    Electrocomponents plc
    Andrea.barnard@electrocomponents.com
    Tel: +44(0)1865-207464

    Further information is available via these links:
    Twitter: @RSElectronics

    Tweet: RS Components Enters Eastern Europe in Next Stage of its Regional
    Growth Strategy ow.ly/3zZxa
    Hashtags: #ecommerce

    RS Components on Linkedin
    www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components

    Relevant Links:

    Electrocomponents plc
    www.electrocomponents.com

    RS Components
    www.rs-components.com

Contacts: Andrea Barnard, Electrocomponents plc, Andrea.barnard at electrocomponents.com , Tel: +44(0)1865-207464.