Electrocomponents Plc, the UK electronics and industrial products group behind the Radiospares catalogue has turned in yet another successful year. RS Components, which sells in the UK through paper and CD-ROM catalogs, increased its product range t o 62,000, from 52,300 during the previous fiscal, and increased revenue by 14% to 368m pounds. RS information became available over the Internet, to form what the company describes as the first phase of a continuing development. Electrocomponents cited the power of the RS concept in international markets as the reason for RS International’s 33% jump in sales, to 152m pounds. Despite more difficult trading conditions, the French business grew satisfactorily, Germany is now firmly in profit and Italy is now at breakeven after three years’ trading. The market share of high service distribution is small, but growing, and the company said the area would provide the foundation for long-term profitable growth within continental Europe. Fu rther afield, a pilot Mandarin catalog has been created for the Hong Kong and Chinese market. The company continued its policy of acquiring strategic distributors, with purchases in Spain in October 1995, in Singapore in November 1995 and in South Africa in February of this year. Chairman Roy Cotterill said more acquisitions are likely as the company builds its European and Far Eastern network.
Telekom Malaysia Bhd is to buy Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd’s cellular unit, MRCB Telecommunication Sdn Bhd, for $256m.
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