I remember the RS rep telling us that, like supermarket own-label stuff, they could control the overall appearance of the product even though the OEM may have changed several times...consistency and all that. For example, he pointed to our 'RS' oscilloscope, saying 'ah..good scopes those, but we changed supplier when the sterling-yen rate changed'. After he went, I took a closer look at the scope and found I could peel off the front vinyl label, revealing the original one still underneath; a japanese 'Leader'.
The RS-Pro stuff is, as far as I can see, RS's response to the bargain-end of the market: you beat 'em or join 'em.
I think you can still buy with confidence though, for example I had some RS-Pro smpsu's and they were made by Meanwell...a well regarded maker.
Some RS-Pro stuff isn't even re-branded, for example we had some proximity sensors a while back and they were made by Micro-Detectors, an OEM who also subcontracts for Erwin Sick, amongst others.
