RS Americas
Omni-channel distributor of industrial equipment and services.
RS Americas, Inc. supplies products and services to those who design, build, and maintain industrial equipment and operations, operating as an omni-channel provider across the United States. It belongs to the London-based RS Group, plc, an FTSE 100 company that leads globally in omnichannel distribution for industrial equipment and operations.
The company’s roots go back to 1928, when Simon "Sy" Wexler founded Allied Radio in Chicago, Illinois, as the radio parts distribution arm of Columbia Radio Corporation (which Wexler had started in 1921). In 1970, Tandy Corporation—Radio Shack’s former parent—bought Allied Radio (the consumer division) along with Allied Electronics (the industrial division). In 1999, Allied became the North American division of Electrocomponents. The company expanded into South America in 2016 with a full-service office in Santiago, Chile, and grew its sales presence in Mexico the following year. In October 2022, Allied announced it would change its name to RS in early 2023 as part of a rebranding to strengthen ties across RS Group’s offerings; the name change took effect on February 6, 2023.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, RS Americas operates a 560,000-square-foot distribution facility.
Quick Facts
- Founding Location
- Chicago, IL
- Headquarters
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Location
- United States
- Leader Title
- President
- Leader Name
- Doug Moody
- Parent Organization
- RS Group
- Services
- Electronics and automation control distribution<!-- Commented out
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Americas division of RS Group was founded in 1928 in Chicago, Illinois by Simon 'Sy' Wexler as Allied Radio, the radio parts distribution arm of Columbia Radio Corporation (also founded by Wexler in 1921). In 1970, the Tandy Corporation, Radio Shack's former parent company, purchased Allied Radio, the consumer division, along with Allied Electronics, the industrial division. In 1999, Allied became the North American division of Electrocomponents. In 2016, Allied expanded into South America with a full-service office in Santiago, Chile, and in 2017, grew its sales presence in Mexico. In October 2022, Allied announced they would be changing their name to RS in Q1 2023 as part of an overall rebranding strategy to establish a better connection across RS Group’s products and services. On February 6, 2023, the name change became official.
Reader's Guide
RS Americas, Inc. traces its origins to the early radio parts distribution business of Columbia Radio Corporation, founded by Simon 'Sy' Wexler in 1921. The company's evolution from Allied Radio to a global omni-channel distributor reflects the broader consolidation and rebranding within the RS Group. Its acquisition by Tandy Corporation in 1970 marked a significant shift, linking it to the Radio Shack retail network. The later integration into Electrocomponents (now RS Group) in 1999 positioned it as the North American arm of a FTSE 100 company. The expansion into South America and Mexico in the 2010s extended its reach, while the 2023 rebranding to RS unified its identity with the parent group. The company's 560,000 square foot distribution facility in Fort Worth, Texas supports its role as a key supplier for industrial equipment and operations.
Did You Know?
- The company was purchased by Tandy Corporation, Radio Shack's former parent company, in 1970.
- In 2023, the company changed its name from Allied Electronics to RS as part of a global rebranding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is RS Americas?
RS Americas is a U.S.-based omni-channel distributor that supplies products and services to companies designing, building, and maintaining industrial equipment. It operates as the American division of the London-based RS Group, plc, a FTSE 100 company.
What role does RS Americas play in the industry?
The company serves industrial equipment designers, builders, and maintenance teams across the United States through an omni-channel model. It operates out of a 560,000-square-foot distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas.
How did RS Americas get its current name?
The company adopted the "RS Americas" name on February 6, 2023, aligning its branding with its parent RS Group, plc (formerly Electrocomponents, plc). Prior to that rebrand, it had operated under names tied to its earlier ownership by Tandy Corporation.
Why is RS Americas historically significant in radio manufacturing?
Its lineage traces to 1928, when Simon "Sy" Wexler established Allied Radio in Chicago as the parts-distribution arm of his Columbia Radio Corporation. That origin makes it one of the longest-running radio-parts supply lines in American industrial history.
Where is RS Americas headquartered and who founded it?
The company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and was originally founded by Simon "Sy" Wexler in 1928. Wexler had launched Columbia Radio Corporation in 1921, and Allied Radio was created to handle its component distribution.
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