RS Adds ABB Conveyor Systems to Distribution Lineup to Boost Manufacturing and Logistics Uptime

RS adds ABB conveyor systems to distribution lineup

FORT WORTH, Feb 17 (Reuters) — RS, a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, announces it is offering ABB’s comprehensive conveyor system portfolio to manufacturers and logistics operators. The move aims to help assembly, packaging and fulfillment lines boost efficiency, uptime and productivity by pairing ABB’s contactors and soft starters with RS’s global inventory and local service teams.

ABB contactors and soft starters drive uptime gains

ABB’s contactor technology enables automated starting, stopping and direction changes on belt drives by switching higher-power motor and distribution circuits with low-power electromagnetic coils. The company offers more than 8,500 contactor variants — including three- and four-pole designs, AC-optimized units, NEMA-rated and safety contactors, mini and switching models, and versions built for harsh environments — that integrate with PLCs and control systems for remote operation. Soft starters reduce motor inrush current and mechanical stress, which ABB and RS say prolongs equipment life, cuts unplanned maintenance and lowers operating costs in conveyor systems.

The partnership targets persistent industry pain points

The collaboration addresses key barriers to faster conveyor adoption, notably rising energy-efficiency requirements and high installation, repair and maintenance costs driven largely by unplanned downtime. Industry estimates cited by RS and ABB put downtime costs between $10,000 and $500,000 per hour, underscoring the business case for more reliable motor control and energy management. By combining ABB’s component breadth with RS’s distribution, technical support and onsite services, operations can reduce risk, control energy use and support growth in automated and e-commerce-driven fulfillment systems.

Conveyor market backdrop

The global conveyor belt market is valued at $5.68 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $7.21 billion by 2030, supported by steady expansion in industrial automation and e-commerce — sectors estimated at roughly $222.22 billion and $6.42 trillion respectively and growing about 7% annually. Those market dynamics drive demand for components that improve throughput and lower lifecycle costs.

RS’s service role

RS says its global inventory, technical support and local service teams help customers select, configure and maintain ABB solutions to meet uptime and energy targets, positioning the distributor as a channel partner that extends ABB’s reach into manufacturing and logistics operations.