RS South Africa, a trading brand of RS Group plc (LSE: RS1), a global provider of product and service solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM), reinforcing its long-term commitment to advancing South Africa’s automotive and transport sectors. The collaboration underscores RS’s role as a key enabler of operational efficiency, local content growth, and supply chain resilience.
Erick Wessels, Sales Director at RS South Africa, describes the partnership as a natural alignment with the company’s long-term objectives. “Our partnership with NAACAM aligns closely with our long-term ambition to be a leading enabler in the automotive and transport sector by driving operational efficiency, local content growth, and supply chain resilience. This collaboration helps us strengthen engagement with OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers and support localisation mandates across the value chain.”
Boosting Localisation and Supporting SMEs
RS aims to empower local manufacturers and emerging suppliers by simplifying access to high-quality maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and industrial components. “Through NAACAM, we can directly support local manufacturers and SMEs with easier access to high-quality MRO and industrial products, helping them meet localisation targets. Our digital platforms and procurement solutions simplify sourcing and reduce reliance on imports, enabling local players to scale efficiently,” explains Wessels.
With a global network and an extensive portfolio of products, RS provides unparalleled support to the automotive value chain. “RS brings global supply reach, an extensive portfolio of over 800,000 industrial and electronic products, and deep expertise in operational excellence. Our value-added services such as eProcurement, inventory management, and technical support help automotive players reduce downtime, increase compliance, and optimise total cost of ownership,” adds Wessels.
Driving Innovation and Industry Transformation
The partnership also provides RS with an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing transformation of South Africa’s industrial landscape. “NAACAM provides a platform for advancing local manufacturing. Joining allows RS to contribute to discussions on digital transformation, smarter sourcing, and sustainability. Our innovation roadmap supports NAACAM’s goals of industrial development and technology adoption,” note Wessels.
RS is focused on building collaborative relationships throughout the NAACAM network. “We aim to be a trusted partner who understands the real-world challenges of automotive component manufacturers. Through NAACAM, we’ll foster collaboration by sharing global best practices, co-developing supply solutions, and supporting capability-building initiatives for both large players and SMEs,” says Wessels.
Showcasing Solutions at the NAACAM Show
The upcoming NAACAM Show will serve as a pivotal platform for RS to engage with industry stakeholders and demonstrate its tailored solutions for the sector. “The NAACAM Show is a key industry event, and for RS, it is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to local industry growth. We will be showcasing digital procurement platforms, sustainable product lines and service solutions tailored to automotive environments,” says Wessels.
RS will highlight solutions designed to improve production uptime, ensure safety compliance, and streamline procurement. “We will highlight our eCommerce platform, punchout integrations, vending and inventory solutions, and a wide range of industrial automation, PPE, and electrical products. These are critical to improving production uptime, safety compliance, and procurement efficiency for the automotive sector,” says Wessels.
Supporting the Growth of SMEs
The partnership also places a strong emphasis on empowering small and medium enterprises. “RS provides SMEs with access to world-class components at scale, even in small quantities, with reliable logistics and transparent pricing. Our self-service digital tools and technical support lower the barriers for entry and help SMEs compete more effectively within the local supply chain,” highlights Wessels.
Looking ahead, RS is confident about the future of South Africa’s automotive component industry. “We are optimistic. The industry is poised for growth, driven by localisation, global competitiveness, and digital transformation. RS is uniquely positioned to support this journey by bridging supply chain gaps, enabling innovation, and helping local firms meet global standards,” concludes Wessels.
He emphasises that this collaboration marks a significant milestone for the company. “This is an exciting step forward for RS. We are committed to playing an active role in the growth and transformation of South Africa’s automotive industry by being a trusted partner that delivers value, innovation and reliability.”