Press Releases

RS Components and FCT enter global distribution partnership to deliver enhanced accessibility on interconnect offering

Franchise agreement will ease the sourcing and purchasing experience across far-reaching markets, offering a greater diversity of FCT products for numerous applications

New Zealand, 30 April 2014 :

RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the world’s leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, has signed a global distribution agreement with FCT, a Molex company*, to supply the company’s popular range of D-Sub interconnect products worldwide.

This formal agreement cements the excellent relationship that has existed between the two companies for several years, and has been established to provide a more expansive service to engineers developing applications in the medical electronics, industrial, telecom and aerospace industries, among others. These customers will benefit from faster access to a broader selection of FCT parts on the RS website, with the added support of the many free online design resources offered by RS.

RS currently stocks more than 200 D-Sub, D-Sub mixed layout, and D-Sub high density connectors and accessories from FCT, and plans an expansion of the line over the coming months.  All FCT D-Sub connectors, including standard, SMT, THT, crimp, and dualport versions, are available in various combinations of materials and platings. For example, shells can be supplied in a non-magnetic version made of brass plated with electroless nickel, or gold plated for use in aerospace technology and medical applications.

The D-Sub mixed layout series includes high power contacts, high voltage contacts, pneumatic contacts and coaxial contacts in various designs. The shell dimensions of the high density D-Sub series mimic those of the D-Sub connectors, with the number of contacts significantly increased.

Kevin McCormack, Global Head of IP&E at RS Components, said, “FCT has a long history of success in supplying interconnect products to diverse markets. Their decision to branch out with RS as a franchised distribution partner indicates a fresh approach to servicing customers that will make sourcing products faster and easier, bringing substantial growth opportunities to the company.”

“Signing our first high-service distribution deal with RS is a significant strategic move for FCT and signals our intention to make our products more easily accessible to a broader spectrum of customers worldwide,” said Tony Monaghan, UK sales manager for FCT.  “RS has both the global structure and the market experience, plus an innovative approach to supporting customers, that will help us achieve this.”

The D-Sub product series from FCT is available to purchase direct from RS global warehouses for same-day despatch.

*FCT Electronics Group was acquired by Molex in September 2013.