RS recognises industrial suppliers at annual awards event

Posted on Tuesday 9 December 2025

RS HAS held the First Choice Supplier Awards during its annual RS Connect event. The prestigious awards recognise key industrial suppliers who go above and beyond to meet the needs of RS and its customers in fulfilling its mission to be a first-choice solutions provider.

The celebration of partnerships with strategic suppliers was held at Coventry Building Society Arena and was hosted by celebrity comedian, Miles Jupp. The awards night took place alongside RS’ flagship UK event, RS Connect, where market-leading suppliers showcased their offering alongside the latest RS service solutions to RS sales teams and its customers. For the first time, the event featured a dedicated Safety Village offering practical expertise, with 19 key suppliers. Three keynote speaker slots took place within this, as well as a simulator from the all-disabled race team, Team Brit, and bespoke interactive PPE game. There were also DestroyeRS demonstrations.

Four awards were presented to suppliers linked to the RS company values of we are one team, we deliver brilliantly, we do the right thing, and we make every day better:

Doing the Right Thing for a Better World award – 2025 winner: UVEX
The One Team Collaboration award – 2025 winner: CRC Industries
Innovation to Make Every Day Better award – 2025 winner: Tec Motors
We Deliver Brilliantly Together award – 2025 winner: Festo

Raj Patel, managing director of RS UK and Ireland, said: “We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award winners and all of the suppliers who were nominated. The first-choice supplier awards have become a key annual event in RS UK and Ireland’s calendar, getting bigger and better every year.”

“I’d like to thank all those who attended RS Connect, making it one of the most successful to date,” said Raj “This event has become a valuable annual networking event for our strategic suppliers and customers, who are committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation in key areas affecting the industry.

“It was the first time we have offered a dedicated zone for health and safety, which is an area undergoing significant change with regulatory and sustainability obligations – as well as issues like providing well-fitting PPE for all – so it was very well received.”