Continuing this collaborative charity
partnership will allow TWMP to build and deploy more groundbreaking
off-grid washing machines that alleviate the burden of handwashing
clothes for thousands of remote, displaced, and low-income
families.
FORT
WORTH, Texas, June 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RS Group plc (LSE: RS1), a
digitally enabled global distributor of product and service
solutions for industrial customers, has extended its global charity
partnership with The Washing Machine Project (TWMP) for another
year to continue building on the success of the program, which aims
to alleviate the burden of handwashing clothes for thousands of
remote, displaced, and low-income families and communities.
Around 60% of the world's population handwashes clothes, which
can be a time-consuming and arduous task that poses a major barrier
for low-income and displaced people around the world. The Divya
Washing Machine is the world's first flat-pack manual washing
machine that can be assembled and repaired with off-the-shelf
tools, and it's built with commercial-grade components from RS
Group.
Since entering into partnership with TWMP in 2021, RS Group has
provided volunteer support and physical components to help build
the off-grid washing machines, which reduce the time burden of
handwashing by 75% and water usage by 50% in the communities
supported, furthering both organizations' ambition to create a more
sustainable world.
Over the past three years, RS Group's commitment to TWMP's
mission has been evident through:
- The dedicated support of more than 650 employee
volunteers. Volunteers globally have contributed their time,
skills, and expertise to building washing machines and providing
invaluable supply chain and industry advice to TWMP to support its
growth.
- Over $781,000 in donations
raised and counting. From bake sales and football tournaments
to matched funding, RS Group employees and suppliers have raised
funds within their communities and made personal donations to
further the cause.
- The positive impact on the lives of over 30,000 individuals
across 13 countries. The washing machines built and funded by
RS Group have been deployed to refugee camps in Iraq and Lebanon, schools in Uganda and Kenya, and homeless people in the U.S. to name
a few.
Reflecting on the initial partnership, James Tucker, Social Impact Manager at RS Group,
said, "We are incredibly proud of the support we've been able to
offer TWMP over the past three years. Our collective efforts have
brought about tangible change in communities around the world,
touching the lives of thousands of individuals. This extension was
a natural next step as we continue our support through
volunteering, providing skills and machine building, offering
ongoing funding, and extending our network and resources to
them."
Looking ahead, RS Group has ambitious plans for the coming year.
In order to expand volunteer opportunities globally, employees will
take part in a range of activities, including a walking challenge,
in-office machine builds, and sky diving. One employee is even
embarking on the challenge to climb up Mount Snowdown carrying a
Divya washing machine on his back.
"Thanks to RS Group's generous fundraising, resources, and
guidance on streamlining our supply chain to access remote regions,
TWMP can focus our efforts over the next year on building Divya
washing machines with even more RS Group employees," said
Nav Sawhney, Founder, The Washing
Machine Project. "This will dramatically improve the lives of
thousands of people around the world, including those in the
closed, controlled access center (CCAC) Lesvos Refugee Camp in
Greece. I'm excited to build on
our learnings over recent years as we continue this special
partnership."
Support The Washing Machine Project by making a donation at RS
Group and The Washing Machine Project - JustGiving.
About RS Group
RS Group plc is a digitally enabled
global distributor of product and service solutions for industrial
customers. We help 1.1 million customers across the world satisfy
their maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) needs safely and
sustainably. We stock more than 750,000 industrial and associated
electronic products sourced from over 2,500 leading suppliers,
enhancing customer experience, driving operational excellence and
simplifying the supply chain at every step.
Through our great people and increased use of technology, we
provide industrial MRO solutions that seamlessly combine services,
products, and digital — essential for the successful running of our
customers' businesses. Operating sustainably through efficient,
physical processes and digital infrastructure, the way we support
our customers forms part of our ongoing purpose to make amazing
happen for a better world.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock
ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March
2024 reported revenue of £2,942 million.
For more information, please visit https://www.rsgroup.com/ or
connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).
Image Download:
RS TWMP Partnership Extension
PR.jpg
Image Caption:
The Washing Machine Project
founder, Nav Sawhney, working with
RS Group volunteers to build Divya washing machines — the world's
first flat-pack manual washing machines that can be assembled and
repaired with off-the-shelf tools.
Editorial Contact & Media Inquiries:
Erica Goode, RS Director of Marketing – U.S. and
Canada
Erica.Goode@rsgroup.com
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SOURCE RS Group plc