Ruth Rings Changes At Electrocomponents

Electrocomponents has restructured its RS Components business. It will now operate through two divisions – RS Electronics and RS Industrial.
This will enable RS to differentiate its offerings in the electronics and MRO markets. Chris Page has been named as President of RS Electronics. He was previously Global Offer Director. Klaus Goldenbot, who was previously Global Sales Director, becomes President, RS Industrial.
Scott McLendon will continue as President, Allied Electronics, which will focus on industrial customers in America.
Lindsley Ruth, installed as Chief Executive Officer of Electrocomponents in April this year is undertaking a full review of the business and will unveil his strategy in November.
In the meantime the company has made some other senior management hirings.
Kurt Colehower has recently been appointed as President, RS Private Label. He arrives from Arrow Electronics where he led Arrow’s Global Components business in the Americas region.
Alex von Schirmeister joins Electrocomponents on November 1 as Chief Innovation Officer (responsible for IT and Digital). He has spent the last ten years in senior management positions at eBay.
On the same day Mikael Malm will arrive as Chief Supply Chain Officer. He joins from Efore, China, where he is currently Chief Operating Officer. He has held senior management positions at Huawei and Ericsson.
Sally Adams, the Group’s Financial Controller continues as Acting Finance Director following the departure of Simon Boddie.
The appointments were announced at a half year update where Electrocomponents reported sales growth slowed to 3% in the second quarter from 5% in Q1.
North America, where sales dipped 3% in the second quarter is in the naughty corner. Continental Europe, where sales climbed an impressive 13% is the star of the show. Asia/Pacific sales were flat, and UK sales fell 1%.
The company says its work on creating a leaner and more efficient organisation is expected to deliver significant cost savings, the first impact of which should benefit the final quarter of this financial year.