Parts supplier makes Indian connection: Link-up opens market to Electrocomponents

THE distribution group Electrocomponents has established a 50/50 joint venture with The Control Group of New Delhi to supply electronic, electrical and mechanical components to Indian industry.

Called RS Components International, the venture will initially be based in Delhi and will seek to supply the surrounding area. But, if successful, it will expand throughout the country using The Control Group's infrastructure of 21 branch offices, 200 distributors and more than 1,000 dealers.

Tom Anderson, managing director of the RS Components International division, which is responsible for the joint venture, described it as a toe in the water initiative. With an initial share capital of only 10m rupees (pounds 200,000), it is also a small venture for The Control Group, one of India's leading electrical engineering and switchgear manufacturing companies.

RS Components International sources its 39,000 products from around the world and says it adds value by screening them first and giving an efficient after-sales service. The company has a 24-hour delivery guarantee in the UK and Continental Europe, but Mr Anderson was not willing to commit himself to this in the operation's early stages in India.

Electrocomponents set up the RS International division in 1991 to provide distribution services in big international markets.

It has operations in Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the Republic of Ireland, with a Hong Kong-based office responsible for developing business in the Far East. New markets in Asia and Latin America are under consideration.