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ISSUE 13 / MAY 2018
FOR ALL ELECTROCOMPONENTS PEOPLE
SPOTLIGHT: CENTRAL EUROPE
A GREAT
MATCH
FOR ME
WHY ULRIKE LOVES
WHERE SHE LIVES. P8
INSIDE:
WE CAN DO IT!
Becoming first
choice – faster
P6
THE POWER OF
DIFFERENCES
Why diversity and inclusion
is better for all of us
P10
“WHY I’LL NEVER
STOP LEARNING”
Debbie Lentz’s Inside View
P15
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF
CONTENTS MAKING
OUR MARK
It was billed as ‘the greatest show
on earth’ for people who make
things – and as official partner, we
WELCOME
were at the heart of the Maker Faire
held in Lille, France in February.
6-7 The three-day, family-friendly
festival of invention, creativity and
resourcefulness attracted more than
11,000 tech enthusiasts, crafters,
WE CAN DO IT! educators, tinkerers, hobbyists,
engineers, science clubs, authors,
Accountability is one of our ways of artists and students of all ages.
working. It underpins everything our At least half the people who
attended took part in our main
brands stand for and aspire to be. event – a welding workshop where
But it’s easy to overcomplicate ways of participants could create a badge
DESIGNSPARK LABS
of Makey Robot, the Maker Faire
working statements in business, which symbol. We also sponsored an
TO GO GLOBAL
is why Steve Newland made a big impact at our Group evening ‘pro maker’ event for all 200
8-9 exhibitors, where colleagues from
Conference with a simple yet effective way of talking
the RS France team helped to raise
about accountability. You can read about it on page awareness of DesignSpark and our
six and we’ll discuss it more in the coming months. other products and services.
SPOTLIGHT ON CENTRAL EUROPE (Left to right) Pete Wood, Head Technology Evangelist, Nigel Wilson, CEO of Legal & General, “A lot of the exhibitors at Maker
Everyone who’s featured in this issue is being Richard Curtin, VP of RS Strategic Alliances and Ashok Vaswami, CEO of Barclays at the Faire are the start-ups of tomorrow
Opening of the DesignSpark Lab in Cardiff.
accountable. Crucially, we can all be accountable and this was a great way of reaching
them early,” said Aude Skorodensky,
without being the same. Difference in thinking, S and DesignSpark Excellence was created in 2017 with a DesignSpark Manager for France.
R
experience and background is key to driving will be helping to bring vision to leverage emerging technologies
innovation, efficiency and success. Diversity and great ideas to life on like artificial intelligence, virtual reality and
High Streets globally Internet of Things to create new services
inclusion have not been at the forefront of our through an exciting and provide great value to our customers.
industry – something we are committed to changing. partnership with “Our RS Local network and DesignSpark
10 Barclays and Legal & General. are perfectly placed to provide start-up
Turn to page 10 to find out more. We’ve become the official technology businesses with access to our world-class
Our business is continuing to change and evolve, partner for Barclays Eagle Labs; innovation software, resources and tools. It’s exciting
centres for local start-ups in under-utilised to think the next big invention may be born
at times rapidly. Accountability and diversity in THE POWER OF DIFFERENCES branches of Barclays bank. from this partnership.”
thinking are driving forces that will accelerate our There are currently 15 labs across the Nigel Saunders, CEO at Sure Chill, one of
performance. I’ve felt truly inspired lately by the UK, with the most recent, known as the the first ventures at the Cardiff Lab, said:
DesignSpark Labs, in Cardiff and Bristol. “Barclays Eagle Labs’ collaboration with RS
progress we’re making together. Every step brings We’re supporting a planned increase Components quickly became the perfect
us closer to becoming first choice. to 50 labs across the world by 2021. home for us. The Eagle Lab is an ecosystem
The first international site will open in that allows collaboration and innovation,
San Francisco soon. and the state-of-the-art RS DesignSpark
Lindsley Ruth, CEO Cameron Ward, Senior Vice President Lab is the ideal facility to assist in the
Global Innovation Centre of Excellence, development of our ambitious prototyping
14 said: “The RS Innovation Centre of and research and development.”
CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE
Global Internal Communications team:
Barbara Algeo, Ilse Boshoff, Olivia Chan, Kevin Chapple, Gerald Cross, Rebecca Filson,
Kelsey Flower, Karen Kerr, Christelle Kfoury, Judith Lub, Lynda McLoughlin, Carly Millership,
Noel Privett, Julia Racinska, Nadia Sampo, Agnieszka Sodul, Vicky Sapzian, Rebecca Thody,
INSPIRED BY ELIJAH
BIG BANG FOR NEW PI
Stefanie Urbanek.
The latest generation Raspberry Pi processor and connectivity, making
Headlines Agency: looks set to become another record- it particularly suited to projects that
Monika Beniusiene, Chris Keller, Megan Jones, Sue Kiddy, Beth Waters.
breaking success after a sell-out launch. require live streaming.
Contributors:
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ made its The Big Bang Show attracted
Brian Andrew, Santhiya Balakrishnan, Karolina Batory, Ana Belda, Annelie Bosdotter, Raphael
Burkart, Lucy Carter, Mike England, Laura Giddings, Rikke Glashoff, Irene Hoile, Anninda debut at the Big Bang Show at the NEC, the perfect Pi audience – around
Hooghiemstra, Uwe Hössel, Sunny Jiang, Ekta Khanna, Ulrich Lampen, Jürgen Lampert, Birmingham, UK, on 14 March. This is 80,000 students, schoolchildren,
Debbie Lentz, Janine McNab, Anna Misztal, Eva Mo, Ulrike Müller, Mellisa Naidoo, Thabisile known as international Pi Day, an annual teachers and other people from
Nkosi, Rachel Norris, Stacey Ostermann, Susan Overcash, Sylvie Rodrigues, Massimiliano 20 celebration of the mathematical constant education. On our stand they
Rottoli, Lindsley Ruth, Monika Schindler, Collette Severn, Aude Skorodensky, Romain Soreau,
π (pi or 3.14). could ask questions, watch demos
Angela Smith, Per Vagnholm, Cameron Ward, Vivian Zee.
The newest Pi in our most successful and try Pi’s endless possibilities
Cover photo:
product range to date offers a faster for themselves.
Ulrike Müller from our Moerfelden Office, Germany.
Read more about Ulrike in our Regional Focus, p8-9. DOING THE RIGHT THING
2 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 3
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WORLDWIDE: BUSINESS UPDATES
OUR GLOBAL VIEW
News and views from around our sites.
IN AT THE START
RS Scandinavia is supporting DTU Skylab,
Denmark’s largest hub for student innovation,
company collaboration and academia.
More than a third of start-up companies
coming out of Danish universities originate
from DTU (the Technical University of Denmark),
so the partnership helps position us at the
forefront of innovation with current and future
1
customers. A new electronics workshop opened
at Skylab in February and we’re providing technical
advice and DesignSpark training. Students
TITAN II HITS THE ROAD and local start-ups can use all the facilities for free,
Titan II – our 35-tonne technology and innovation including rapid prototyping through 3D printing,
showcase – has been revamped for 2018. It made its laser cutting and 3D scanning. Skylab is due to
first appearance at BETT 2018 at the Excel, London, triple in size next year, offering us even more
2
in January. During the four-day education technology potential to showcase RS.
event, we were visited by more than 3,500 educators
and around 1,000 students. They could learn more
about DesignSpark, Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, robotics,
Internet of Things and thermal imaging – as well as
virtual reality and augmented reality technology.
“This was a great opportunity to promote ourselves
as the first-choice distributor to the education sector
and show our commitment to STEM-related careers,
specifically in engineering,” said Laura Giddings,
Education Event Manager.
ENGINEERING LABS TURN PRO
4
We’re supporting South Africa’s next
generation of engineers by donating
R250,000 (around £15,000) of RS PRO
3
equipment to kit out new engineering
labs at the Cape Town Peninsula Management of both companies gather together
University of Technology. after the launch ceremony of the initial agreement.
ZOOMING IN ON ZAC The four project labs will be used
Three former engineering students’ by over 450 students annually, to learn
dream of creating a ‘virtual home butler’ about electronics and mechanical and
5
has become reality, with support from RS electrical engineering.
France. Their start-up company, Vivoka, “Our RS PRO range matched the
invented Zac, a holographic raccoon with requirements of the labs by having
built-in artificial intelligence who can great quality and performance while
control your home’s lighting, heating, being affordable,” said Brian Andrew,
security and much more. Find out more General Manager of RS Components
on https://zac.vivoka.com/?lang=en South Africa. “We are extremely
As well as supporting Zac’s excited to see what these young
development, we also provided funds students will be creating.”
to make it possible for Vivoka to attend E-MILESTONE IN CHINA
CES, the global consumer technology RS China is partnering with JD.com, one of the
launchpad, in Las Vegas in January. country’s largest and most popular eCommerce
RS France signed a convention with platforms, to provide RS PRO products in
the Moselle Chamber of Commerce six major categories. We’ll benefit from JD’s
last December and now hopes to experience and know-how on growing Chinese
support more innovative start-ups from eCommerce businesses.
the concept stage right through to The partnership is a milestone for our
manufacturing and marketing. development in China because it will expand RS
PRO’s reach to government and state-owned
companies, a market that RS China alone cannot
tap into.
4 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 5
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BECOMING FIRST CHOICE
WHAT THE DELEGATES SAID
Leaders and managers from every corner of the business
returned to their everyday locations with a greater
sense of what they and their teams can do to make
a difference. Here are just a few of their comments:
WE CAN DO IT
“I feel ready and motivated to accelerate
growth in Iberia by always putting the
customer at the centre of what we do and by
ensuring that ‘we are a team, not a meeting’!”
Ana Belda, Country Manager for Spain
and Portugal
“There was time to learn from the best in
class, but also to have fun and network
with colleagues from APAC and Allied, who,
although very far geographically from Europe,
are actually very close when it comes to
A ‘can do’ culture of contribution, ambition and commitment.”
accountability where we Karolina Batory, Country Manager
Eastern Europe
all see it, own it, solve
it, do it will speed up our “I captured some of the positive vibes and
ABOVE THE LINE BEHAVIOUR brought them to my team. We all understand
journey towards becoming that ‘becoming first choice’ is more than just
three words.”
first choice, emphasised Allied Ulrich Lampen, Head of Product and
President Steve Newland in one Supplier Management Central Europe
of the most inspiring sessions “Digital focus and customer centricity
at our recent Group Leadership See It Own It Solve It Do It are priorities relevant for everyone in our
organisation; the conference has really
Conference. Our World checks helped make that clear and stimulated
specific actions that my team and myself
out this and other highlights are keen to undertake.”
that will help us all create Massimiliano Rottoli – Head of Brand
Creative, RS PRO
a better place to work.
FUN WITH A SERIOUS PURPOSE “I was deeply impressed with the clear
BELOW THE LINE THINKING understanding of all leaders that we are
The conference delegates took part in an Innovation Day with a yet to be perfect, and we need to simplify
ccelerating Performance series of fun and challenging activities to tease out the leadership in order to accelerate for greater success.”
A
was the theme for the Group Ignore / Deny behaviours and values they need to help us become truly innovative Sunny Jiang, Head of Business Development
Leadership Conference 2018 in and accelerate our performance. & Transformation for Asia Pacific
March. It brought together 170 Set up as a ‘scavenger hunt’, 32 teams were taken by local drivers
senior managers and leaders 1 to locations around the island to solve puzzles, problems and challenges. “I am feeling motivated, inspired,
from Electrocomponents, RS They learned valuable lessons around creativity, harnessing teamwork and, most especially, empowered!”
and Allied for three days of seminars and team- Wait and see It’s not my job and collective diversity, accepting failure and recovering from it, Stacey Ostermann, Director of Digital
6 2
building events in Tenerife, Spain. resourcefulness, and knowing when to step out of the way. Product Content, Allied
In one of the sessions rated most highly by those
who attended, Steve Newland focused on a culture ! “What stood out to me most was the
of accountability, which he described simply as KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE CONFERENCE: leadership team and the vision they have for
‘having the attitude of “What more can I do?”’ 5 3 growing this business. The potential is huge.”
Cover your tail Finger pointing
This ‘can do’ attitude among employees is vital Susan Overcash, Director of HR, Allied
1 Put the customer first 7 Lead by example
for the future success of our company, he said.
4
People who focus on what they can do rather than “Being in a smaller market, I can
2 Diversify your teams 8 Be high-performing
what they cannot do, tend to feel satisfied, get results, sometimes ‘forget’ that RS is a global
progress in their careers and move their teams Confusion & tell me what to do 3 Don’t be afraid to take risks 9 Improve company. To see how closely everybody is
forward. He urged everyone to work towards a team connected – almost like a family – was truly
culture that eliminates potentially destructive, ‘below 4 Remove the obstacles 10 Be accountable admirable. Elements from Steve’s presentation
the line’ behaviours such as blaming others, covering will be implemented in Scandinavia.”
your tail and refusing to do things that aren’t your 5 Simplify 11 Have fun along the way! Rikke Glashoff, RS Internal Sales and
job. Instead, we should encourage beneficial ‘above Service Manager, Scandinavia
the line’ behaviours where we’re all prepared to 6 Innovate
take responsibility to see it, own it, solve it and do it.
6 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 7
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REGIONAL FOCUS
ANNA MISZTAL HIGHLIGHTS
HR and Finance Advisor, Eastern Europe
SPOTLIGHT ON: Best thing about where I work OUR EPROCUREMENT
CENTRAL
(Warsaw, Poland): CHAMPIONS!
The great team, dynamic business Two hardworking colleagues
and international environment. from Central Europe are
EUROPE
Best thing about currently responsible for
where I live: eContent, a static catalogue,
All the opportunities in EMEA and APAC. Giuseppe
for big-city life. But most Virzi, based in Moerfelden,
of all, lots of big climbing centres Germany, looks after a total of
ULRIKE MÜLLER where I can train in my favourite 167 eContents for more than
sport, rock climbing. 650 customers across Germany
Fleet, Health and
and Switzerland. Christoph
Learn more about a Safety, Facility If you visited me, I’d take you:
On a tour across Poland to show you the best Weixelbaum in Gmünd,
Coordinator, Germany
region that includes Best thing about where I work:
natural views: sand dunes on the northern Austria, handles around 210
coast, wild forests and lakes in the centre and eContents in 24 markets for
five important markets: I have fantastic people around me
beautiful rocks and mountains in the south. 140 customers. Both update
and a very diverse job.
Germany, Benelux Best thing about where I live
the catalogue quarterly, semi-
annually or annually, according
(Belgium, The Netherlands (Weiterstadt, about 13km from our to customers’ requests.
office in Moerfelden-Walldorf):
and Luxemburg), Austria, It’s right in the middle of Europe. MONIKA SCHINDLER PI GOES VINTAGE
Switzerland and Eastern If you visited me, I’d take you to: Key Account Manager
RS Switzerland is partnering
with its customer Modul 9 to
Europe (Poland, Hungary The Commerzbank Arena
to an Eintracht Frankfurt
Internal Sales, Austria
help bring new life to vintage
Best thing about where I work:
and the Czech Republic). football match, because
The appreciation and respect we
Bang & Olufsen speakers.
Modul 9 is using Raspberry Pi
the fans and atmosphere
show each other every day. as part of its Beocreate product
are amazing.
A VERY EXCITING REGION Best thing about where I live line. This involves upgrading
“Central Europe is a very exciting (Nondorf, a small community near the speakers with wireless
region – diverse, fast paced Gmünd, about seven minutes drive capabilities, using the latest
and innovative. We have seen from our office): in open source technology.
a turnaround in performance in Our beautiful natural landscape is the
FY18, thanks to the hard work best way to relax after a long day at work. Find out more on
and dedication of the teams, and If you visited me, I’d take you: https://www.hifiberry.
there is so much more we can ANNINDA HOOGHIEMSTRA To the Blockheide, a beautiful nature com/beocreate
achieve together. Customer focus, Interim Team Leader Back Office, RS Benelux park in Gmünd with
teamwork, agility and adaptability mighty granite blocks.
in a fast-changing environment will Best thing about where I work (RS Benelux
offices, Haarlem, Netherlands):
make us the distributor of choice in
The great team spirit!
Central Europe. In order to win we
need a high performance culture Best thing about where I live:
RAPHAEL BURKART Best thing about where I live
with engaged and empowered Haarlem is a nice city for shopping
(Wollerau, Switzerland):
teams that celebrate success and going out for dinner, and has Head of Sales Austria and Switzerland
After a hard working day I can choose
and of course, have some fun a great culture as well. Best thing about where I work to take a swim in nearby Lake Zurich,
along the way.” If you visited me, I’d take you to: (Wädenswil, near Zurich, Switzerland): climb a 1200m mountain just around the
A concert at the Ziggo Dome in Being part of a highly dynamic company corner, or have a drink downtown.
Jürgen Lampert, Amsterdam, I love to listening to music. that is still a people-business.
Vice President If you visited me, I’d take you to:
Central Europe The Säntis, the highest mountain
between the Alps and the North Pole.
DID YOU KNOW … ABOUT CENTRAL EUROPE
RS Germany RS Eastern Europe
Est. 1991 Est. 2011
430 employees 39 employees Germany is the The Netherlands The Benelux Although English is the Vienna, currently Poland’s economy
Offices in Moerfelden, Office in Warsaw, Poland largest economy in has at least Union is a politico- official language for our ranks second in the is one of the fastest-
Munich and DC in Bad Hersfeld the European Union 15,000km of bicycle economic union of team in Eastern Europe, they world’s top 10 most growing within the EU.
(EU) and the fourth paths and is home three neighbouring can talk to you in 11 other liveable cities.
RS Benelux RS Austria RS Switzerland largest in the world to more bikes states in Western languages: Hungarian, Czech,
Est. 1998 Est. 1992 Est. 2012 after the USA, than people. Europe: Belgium, Slovakian, Polish, Greek,
67 employees 52 employees 6 employees China and Japan. the Netherlands, Serbian, Croatian, Russian,
Office in Haarlem, Netherlands Office in Gmünd Office in Wädenswil and Luxembourg. Italian, German and French.
8 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 9
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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Colleagues mark International
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY
Women’s Day in Warsaw office.
OUR STORY SO FAR
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?
We took part in International
Women’s Day (IWD) as a company
last year for the first time. By the
time we celebrated IWD 2018, on
8 March, [see https://tinyurl.com/
yaoubh8v] we’d begun to make
real progress, including:
Setting up a diversity
and inclusion steering
group. Sponsored by
THE
Marianne, it has already gained
the agreement of all members of
the EMT to increase the number of
their female direct reports within
POWER OF
a year by at least one. DIVERSITY INCLUSION
Gathering feedback and Is the way we differ from one other. Is about people feeling trusted, respected, listened
input from employees,
1 This includes age, disability, marriage
2 to and fully part of the team, whoever and wherever
DIFFERENCES
to help us identify actual and civil partnership status, pregnancy, they are. When you feel like this, you’re much more
or perceived barriers to progress race, ethnicity, nationality, colour, likely to perform well at work and fulfil your potential.
of women so that we can take religion or belief, gender or gender reassignment, A diverse and inclusive organisation is one that actively strives
relevant and meaningful action sexual orientation and educational background. for diversity and treats everyone fairly regardless of difference,
during the year. Having a mix of different people across our business to gain the best from its people and provide the best experience
provides the diversity of thought, perspective to its customers and suppliers. This aim sits firmly within our
Setting up a Leaders and experience essential to our success. becoming first choice vision and our ways of working.
Working for Women
community and preparing
We’re all different – and by harnessing to launch local Working for Women
and other employee communities to
the power of our differences we can open
PROUD OF OUR PROGRESS
help us drive change throughout our
up a whole world of opportunity for the businesses. These are sponsored
by our President Global Supply
company and for ourselves as individuals. Chain, Debbie Lentz (see more from
Debbie in her Inside View interview
on p15 and in this short video https://
reating a more diverse and We are also expanding our activity to other tinyurl.com/ydxjqco5).
C
inclusive place to work is groups under-represented at a senior level. If you’re passionate about developing
an important part of Marianne Culver, Global President of a more inclusive and diverse culture Female employees have SANTHIYA ANNELIE EKTA
becoming first choice for RS and the first female member of our in your area, talk to us about signing been sharing what makes BALAKRISHNAN BOSDOTTER KHANNA
RS and Allied, and we’ve EMT, said: “We all need to work together up to or even setting up an employee them proud to work for RS Sales Process Internal Sales Head of
begun a programme of to break down real or perceived barriers to community. Email lucy.carter@ or Allied and how they’re Analyst, Executive, Telesales, India
activities globally to help us get where progress for women and play a proactive rs-components.com. committed to supporting Hong Kong Sweden “The best part
we need to be. part in the strong global momentum opportunities for women. “Being Indian and coming “We live in a time when about working here is that
Our first priority is gender. We’re striving for gender parity. This is not only Here’s a snapshot of their to another Asian country everyone has the chance to the senior management has
focusing on ways to increase the number the right thing to focus on morally, it’s We have so much planned responses. was a challenge for me. make changes regardless absolute faith in the fact
of women in senior and critical roles across also the smart thing to do to ensure our over the next year, we will I thank RS for giving me of their gender and that that there is no limit to what
all our geographies and functions. business thrives culturally.” be coming back to update women can accomplish.”
the opportunity to learn is something we should
you regularly.
and embrace this culture.” make use of.”
SYLVIE THABISILE IRENE HOILE ANGELA
RODRIGUES NKOSI Operations SMITH
Projects Picking Clerk, Manager, Corby Warehouse
Manager, South South Africa “I’m very proud Customer Service
Europe France “I work in to have reached a Manager, Allied USA
“I am most proud of distribution, where senior position in logistics, “I’m proudest of my journey
succeeding to reconcile my it is male dominated. It’s a which was traditionally a from part-time associate to
family life with my career and great experience and I’ve male-dominant environment. Operations Manager. This
(Left to right) Barbara Oelschläger, being able to be innovative, learnt a lot. We share ideas on I’ve been able to encourage used to be predominantly
Celebrating IWD in Spain (left to right): Marta Patrick Sauer, Ulrike Sabel and creative and proactive, to how to make our jobs easier.” other women to seek male, but now we have women
Our colleagues in South Real, Patricia Corrons, Susana Rubi, Julia Steffi Urbanek at the Moerfelden
Africa celebrating IWD. Racinska, Clara Solano and Miriam González. office, Germany on IWD. help the business realise opportunities in this field.” managers in all positions.”
its potential.”
10 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 11
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FINANCIALSAND SUPPLIER UPDATE
CUSTOMER
This time, the focus was on ince we launched
S
education and how the Raspberry Pi ‘for the inspired’,
could be used to solve the challenges we’ve been
of science, technology, engineering celebrating
and mathematics (STEM) skills. amazing engineers
One of the highlights was from and sharing stories
Bjarke Gotfredsen, who uses a micro of their achievements to boost
screen and components that fit onto awareness of the RS brand and
the actual Raspberry Pi board and can showcase our commitment to
be used for multiple applications like helping our customers achieve
video streaming and playing space great things.
invaders. Another was Mario Marais’s Our next story, launching in May
environmental sensor set-up for schools, 2018, will be our first focusing on
to monitor moisture and temperature. a supplier. It features Alan Hawse,
RS South Africa sponsored
Raspberry Pi kits as prizes at the
Vice President of Technical Staff for
Solutions and Software at Cypress
BEING AN
Cape Town event. This took the form Semiconductor. Our supplier ENGINEER
CELEBRATING WITH
of a coding workshop, with young stories will demonstrate the great
people who would otherwise have partnerships we have in place IS DEEP
limited access or opportunity to learn to ensure the latest products
DOWN IN MY DNA
DOUBLE JAM
about computer programming. and technologies are available
to our customers.
In January this year, Alan Hawse
representatives from RS visited
the Cypress R&D offices in
Kentucky, USA, to meet the
S South Africa man behind the brand.
R
celebrated Raspberry Cypress designs, develops,
Pi’s sixth birthday in manufactures and sells game-
March with two changing technology and provides
successful Pi Jams – one chips for many well-known products
OUR STORY
in Johannesburg and the – from the Amazon Echo to Sonos
other in Cape Town. sound systems, as well as the
A Raspberry Pi Jam is an organised wireless chip on the new Raspberry
community event where people get Pi 3 Model B+. It is impossible
together and share knowledge, learn to overstate the impact Cypress
CONTINUES
new things and meet fellow enthusiasts. is making with ground-breaking,
RS South Africa believes some of innovative technology.
the best innovations happen at this Alan oversees the PSoC
type of forum and intends to support (Programmable System-on-Chip)
multiple Pi Jams in the future. products manufactured by Cypress
The Johannesburg event was and creates influential training
co-hosted with Entelect, a software videos to teach people across than 1.5 million people worldwide. represents how the important partnership
development company who also the globe how to use them. Alan’s story explores how partnering with between RS and Cypress has enabled him to
partnered with us for the very first Pi Jam His passion to engineer and RS has enabled him to create projects to teach reach and connect with a wider audience to
South Africa, held in September 2017. educate has been viewed by more people how to use Cypress’s PSoC chips, and inspire people to create the next big thing.
WINNING TOGETHER WHO IS ON SEMICONDUCTOR?
Our distribution partnership with Southeast Asia, has been an important Manager, Asia ON is a leading supplier of semiconductor-based
ON Semiconductor is helping us part of its success story so far. Our Distribution, said he solutions, offering a portfolio of energy-efficient products
both win new customers and drive support goes beyond distribution, said believes RS’s robust that help engineers solve design challenges
innovation in Asia Pacific. Lisa, who described DesignSpark as distribution networks in many industries, including the automotive, computing,
ON Semiconductor (ON) says it is “the unique competitive advantage of and innovative vision medical, consumer, industrial and military industries.
introducing new products to many RS when compared with other similar can enhance its IoT Our partnership began with us distributing ON products
customers in APAC who would be distributors”. She also praised our product penetration in in Europe but now we distribute its products globally,
“very difficult to touch” without our help. proactive approach, strong experience markets such as China, including in the Asia Pacific region.
According to Lisa Liu, ON’s Assistant and technical expertise. where IoT demand is at its peak. “In the
Director of Asia Pacific Channel ON Semiconductor is investing future, we’re hoping to work more closely
Marketing, our extensive reach in many heavily in producing innovative Internet with RS to market our solutions, and bring The full case study was featured in the
Asia Pacific markets, such as China, of Things (IoT) products and solutions. more innovative solutions and ideas to our February APAC Home of Engineering Brochure.
Australia and key growth markets in TL Peng (pictured), ON’s Field Application customers in the region,” Lisa added.
12 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 13
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FACE TO FACE INSIDE VIEW
UWE JOINS KART
MARATHON
“WHY I’LL NEVER
environment where they can ask questions,
learn and know they’re supported by
their teammates.
STOP LEARNING”
Uwe Hössel, Storekeeper What is the key ingredient of
Fundraising at Rutland Aqua Park: (left to right) Daryl Bush, Inbound at our DC in Bad Hersfeld, a successful distributor?
Leeanne McBlain, Brian Taylor, Leanne Grant, Martin Jacques, Germany, pedalled a Kettcar go- Making the customer your number one
Scott Reid, Aidan McCabe and (crouching) Lewis Wortley.
kart for an hour as part of a 24-hour priority and being easy to do business
charity world-record competition with. It’s about beating customers’
led by celebrity Joey Kelly. expectations, knowing and getting in front
INSPIRED BY The contest was held during
Debbie Lentz, President Global Supply Chain, of what competitors are doing, buying
ELIJAH
German TV channel RTL’s annual the right, great products and selling them
Mike with w
ife
fundraising telethon, which collects explains her passion for servant leadership and at the right price, technical expertise and
Catherine an millions of euros to support needy value-add services, speed of delivery and
Isaac and El
d sons,
ijah. children and teenagers in Germany making sure everyone feels included. speed to market.
and around the world.
The Kettcar What are you passionate about?
event raised Tell us a bit about your background. What got you into the electronics As a female in an area of business not
A very special little boy has prompted €70,000 in I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, distribution industry? typically dominated by women, I’ve always
total. Uwe spent most of my childhood in New Jersey This is my first role in electronics promoted diversity and inclusion [see
colleagues across the UK to raise more said: “I really and went to university in Pennsylvania. distribution, and what got me into it more about this from Debbie on p10-11].
than £155,000 for Children with Cancer. had a lot of
fun and it was
I’m married to Phil, who was in the airline
industry for many years, was a stay-at-
was less about the industry and more about
the company. At Electrocomponents we’re
Diversity is about diversity of gender,
race, ethnicity, etc. and also diversity
an amazing home dad for a bit and is currently working electronics and industrial, so this is a perfect of thought, expertise and experience.
Elijah England, whose dad, Mike, though, his story could have been experience to as an investor. position to use my experience as a supply Inclusion is about including everyone.
is Managing Director for Northern very different. be part of that Phil and I love the UK but it’s our first chain distributor in a totally new industry. If we leave people out we’re not going
Europe, was just six years old when Last year the UK chose to support great cause. I time living here – we’ve moved into a flat to have the benefit of their diverse thinking
he was diagnosed with a rare cancer Children with Cancer as its national will definitely in Marylebone, London. Our daughters have Why did you want to join and they’re likely to lose motivation or
called rhabdomyosarcoma. charity for two years. People from participate remained in the US: Marie, 23, is a music Electrocomponents? leave the company.
Elijah showed great courage all areas of the business have helped in the RTL graduate living in New York and Megan, 20, I wanted to join a company that is not I’m also passionate about coaching and
throughout his challenging treatment smash the original, ambitious £150,000 fundraising is at university in Virginia. only growing organically but has its eye on development. I have a saying, ‘be a teacher
and has now been in remission for five target. The fantastic effort continues! marathon Most of my career has been in supply other opportunities and a clear focus on the and a student’, as we should never stop
years. Without the critical research See pages 16-19 for more information again next chain and distribution, working first for customer. During the interview process I met learning. I’m a strong advocate of what’s
undertaken by Children with Cancer, and pics. year.” Nabisco, then Kraft Foods and, most several people I really connected with and known as servant leadership. I work for
recently, Toys R Us. ultimately that made the difference for me. the people who are actually doing the
work and my job is removing barriers
How do you build high-performing teams? and helping to resolve issues.
It starts with bringing together people with
the right skillset and talent, then giving What is the one thing people find
WE’RE A CARING
which visually impaired people
provide head, neck and shoulder PRO them the tools and empowering them.
You have to trust people and create an
most surprising about you?
I’m a pretty open person so I don’t think
COMPANY
massage to employees and we
make a donation to support their
vision and mission.
PLUNGERS there’s anything people would really
be surprised about. If you ask me I’ll
tell you, and I might tell you anyway!
The award also recognises Plunging into the icy waters of Lake
We’ve been officially awarded Caring how RS Hong Kong is caring Ontario in winter requires nerves of
Company status by the government for employees, including: steel, and colleagues from Allied’s
in Hong Kong. The accolade is given Rochester branch proved they’ve
to companies who can demonstrate • Upgrading medical benefits got what it takes. Well done to Pat
sufficient care for the community, and introducing new benefits Ketchum (Tom’s brother), Customer
employees and the environment. Account Rep, Tom Ketchum,
The Care, Learn and Fun work-life • Running Lunch and Learn sessions Outside Sales Rep, Tim Clark and
balance culture promoted by the RS on various safety topics Customer Account Rep, Mark
Hong Kong HR team was a major Champion (pictured left to right), who
factor in securing the award. • Organising a monthly Fruits Day participated in the Rochester Polar
This includes a partnership with to enhance employees’ awareness of Plunge in February to benefit the
The Society for the Blind, through a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Special Olympics of New York. With
fundraising support from Customer
Account Rep Gabrielle Farrand, they
raised $345 as Team RS PRO.
Debbie with husband
Phil and daughters,
Marie and Megan.
14 OUR WORLD /MAY 2018 OUR WORLD / MAY 2018 15
RETURN TO CONTENTS
FACE TO FACE: OUTSIDE WORK
DIDN’T WE DO WELL!
HERE’S A ROUND-UP OF JUST SOME OF THE AMAZING EFFORTS
We’ve all taken our chosen charity, Children
1 with Cancer, to our hearts over the past year,
raising an amazing £150,000. The cash has
been raised through taking part in events
such as the London Marathon, Three Peaks Challenge
and a sky dive – as well as countless bake sales and
raffles, abseils and epic bike rides. We’ve had support
from our suppliers, too. Well done and thank you to
everyone involved – now we just need to do the same
again in 2018!
SPORT RELIEF
Mike England,
Managing Director for
Northern Europe, said:
2 Over 80 colleagues volunteered their time
to take donations for Sport Relief. It was
a huge success – they took more than 900
High life: Hayley Blanchett Wet wet wet: The Enabling team within
“When I shared the Customer Interaction braved the giant obstacle calls, totalling £34,000 in donations! Players from Corby
was one of three Internal
story of my son, Elijah, Key Account Managers with course at Rutland Aqua Park, raising £491. Town FC and a professional football freestyler attended
overcoming cancer the Scotland and Northern the fun-filled event. Take a look at the fantastic photos
[see page 14], I had no Ireland Team to complete a taken throughout the night.
idea how much people 150-foot abseil, raising £850.
Tim Sharpe from
would get behind this Corporate Sales
fantastic cause. I’ve taking part in the
been overwhelmed by Bristol Rough
the amazing support. SUPPLIER Runner.
We’ve raised a huge GOLF DAY
amount of money for Our supplier golf day at
a brilliant cause and the Belfry Golf Course last
we’ve had a lot of fun October raised a massive
doing it. I can’t wait £25,000 for Children with
to see what we can Cancer. The day was a huge
do next.” Miles and smile
s: some of our
success, with trick shot
London Maratho legend Jeremy Dale putting
n runners.
teams through their paces.
On top of the world: James Howarth, Director of
congratulations to everyone Product Management, Global Offer
who took part in the Three (left), with Tim Barnes from 3M.
Peaks Challenge.
Making life easier for
Sally, Bio-detection dog.
CLEAN PAWS
FOOTIE FUN
David Young, Finance Business Partner from the
Northern Hub, arranged a family fun day and football
3 Medical Detection Dogs visited
the My Community Team in
Corby, to thank us for funding two
match in Earls Barton, raising a cool £668.86! much-needed commercial dishwashers. The
glass jars which hold disease samples can
now be cleaned in just three minutes – much
better than the hour it took their old machine.
16 OUR WORLD / MONTH YEAR OUR WORLD / MONTH YEAR 17
RETURN TO CONTENTS
FACE TO FACE: OUTSIDE WORK
Doing their bit: members YOUNG ENTERPRISE
8
of the Nuneaton team.
Corby Business
Academy students
taking part in the Happy Hands:
National Young Enterprise well done to
Company Programme, supported Jessica and
Blake who did
by Our Community, have done
a great job
themselves – and us – proud. representing
their team.
The Diiqada team won the Best
Creativity & Innovation award at
the Area Showcase Final for its soft
cube mathematical formula product.
Although the teenagers just missed
MICK’S COOL MOVE winning through to the County
4 Our refurbishment at Corby
helped boost the efforts of the
local Chilly Willy Ride Out event
Finals, they wowed the judges
with their honest and inspiring
presentation of all they’d learned.
this year. Chilly Willy brings together bikers
and motorcycle enthusiasts in a ride to raise Happy Hands from Corby
money for the Air Ambulance charity. Mick Business Academy and The Bee
Blakeley, General Operative Global Offer, Hive is taking part in the Team
sold old office equipment for £300, bringing Programme for students with
the total raised through the day to £2,783.87. special educational needs. The
team took second place in the Best
Logo Competition at the County
Finals in April. The students also
came second in the National Team
Programme Best Trade Stand
competition and have now been
HEART-WARMING DONATION invited to showcase their stand at
6 Colleagues at Nuneaton hit the headlines in their local the East Midlands Regional Finals Congratulations:
Mark James, Northern
newspaper, thanks to their great efforts supporting the in June. Happy Hands is supported Europe Product Manager
British Heart Foundation. A total of £726 was raised by Donna Constable, Senior at RS, with Ryan Shields,
through a raffle and by selling homemade treats. The event raised Marketing Manager, Product Finance Director of Diiqada.
awareness about the importance of exercising and healthy eating. Marketing, based at Corby.
IN MEMORY OF ARRAN
7 When Michelle Duffy’s son Arran
died tragically leaving two young
children, she found a very special
way of honouring his memory and helping
other youngsters who lose a parent.
Michelle and her family and friends initially
raised £2,200 for 110 memory boxes,
designed to support children through their
grieving process. Colleagues at Nuneaton
boosted their efforts, raising £523 through
a raffle and selling samosas and cakes. The
first 12 boxes have now been donated to WATCHING THE BIRDY
Kettering General Hospital.
Michelle, Operations Technical Development
9 Local falconer Wayne Davis was relieved to
find his beloved bird on our rooftop at Corby!
He contacted us worried that the falcon had
Manager based at Corby, said: “My damaged his wing after its electronic tag revealed it was
grandchildren Liam and Koraleigh received Michelle Duffy (in red jacket) and at our site. After security checks, we assisted Wayne to the
A CUT ABOVE a children’s memory box from Coventry grandchildren Siobhan (left) and roof where he managed to retrieve the falcon unharmed.
5 Corrine Herdman, Warehouse Operative, Hospital where Arran died and we found they Koraleigh Wallace present the first
12 memory boxes to nursing staff
Nuneaton raised £1,325 for Little were invaluable in helping the children to
at Kettering General Hospital .
Princess Trust, thanks to a sponsored remember happy things about their daddy.” To see pictures of his birds, check out his
website: www.avianenvironmental.co.uk
haircut. Corrine’s sister is a hairdresser and cut her
beautiful locks, which were donated to the charity
who sent it to China to be made into a wig.
18 OUR WORLD / MONTH YEAR OUR WORLD / MONTH YEAR 19RETURN TO CONTENTS
CODE OF CONDUCT
DOING THE RIGHT THING
You can only afford to go fast if you’ve got good brakes.
Our Code of Conduct is like that – our brakes, so we can take acceptable risks.
Here’s a guide to why the Code is an important part of us becoming
first choice – and how you can ensure you keep to it.
1 2 3
Our Code of Conduct lets This is important as In the evolving landscape
us take risks by stopping we begin our exciting of high-tech industry, it
us doing things that are journey to become is as important for us to
not legal or ethical. first choice. adapt to the changing
times as it is for us to
deliver great products and
great service.
4 5 6 7
Because we need to We are launching We should expect each …just as our customers,
adapt at such pace, our 2018 Code of other to do the right suppliers and
we must make doubly Conduct to help us thing and follow the shareholders demand
sure that we deliver deliver in the right way. highest standards… that we should.
in the right way.
ode
o the C e
Ke e p t e r w
ge th
an d t o t c h oic e.
fir s
c an b e
WHO IS THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR? WHAT DOES THE CODE COVER?
The Code is for everyone – not just leaders Our Code of Conduct is your guide to doing the
and people managers. right thing in all kinds of situations you may come
across at work, including:
• It’s your job to read and comply with the Code.
• If you are a manager, it’s also your job to make Information security Discrimination and
sure your people have read it. Data protection harassment
• It’s also everyone’s responsibility to Speak Up* Anti-bribery Diversity and inclusion
if we see the Code being broken. You can do this Competition law Market abuse
by phone, email or online – see https://intranet. Market abuse Modern slavery
electrocomponents.com/Pages/SpeakUp.aspx Health, safety and Ethical supply
environment Financial integrity
*Speak Up is not available in Germany. Fraud
• You’ll find all the information you need in the latest version of our Code, updated for 2018 •You can also read
