( Power‐Motion Technology Representatives Association) and MANA have been mainstays of our profession for decades. The comradery, transfer of information and sharing of best practices is irreplaceable.
“ When I made my decision to start my own agency one of my first calls was to PTRA to ask them to allow me to attend their annual conference. I was invited as a guest of the association’ s board. The result was I renewed contact with so many individuals I had known before. As a side benefit, I walked away from the meeting with additional lines.”
He adds that the benefits of joining and participating in an association can’ t be replicated by simply visiting a website.“ I have to admit that in just the last two months I’ ve had two manufacturers contact us because of our presence on the MANA website. But that success doesn’ t diminish our need to interact face-to-face with people. And while we’ re a part of an association I’ ve always been told that you only get out what you put in. If you just show up at a meeting and don’ t contribute and participate, you’ ll never get the hoped‐for return.
“ In another 20 years there will be a new rep generation. If( my) generation chooses not to participate, there is going to be a huge gap. Those younger than I in the industry have to be made to feel welcome and learn the value of association membership.”
The Engineered Industrial Products File
Established: 1958 Location: Santa Fe Springs, California Employees: Nine Customers: Distributors, OEM, Integrators and End Users
Distributors— The agency has long served bearing and power transmission distributors with the finest products in the industry as well as applications expertise and the experience to train in‐house personnel and customers. The agency’ s history and expertise has earned it a place in sales and strategic planning with many of its distributor partners. Our goal is to make our lines the most profitable a distributor can sell. OEM— EIP calls directly on OEM customers whether they buy through distribution or direct. The agency feels it’ s important to understand their needs and be able to provide the latest in technological advancements that might improve their product offering. Integrators— Contract integrators can function like an OEM, but often produce one-off machines that require a special level of care and partnership when specifying electrical or motion control components. EIP’ s in-house design and applications expertise is unmatched in the western states. The agency’ s principals typically consider them their West Coast applications engineering support as well as their sales force. End Users— End user sales are supported through EIP’ s distributor partners who are assisted via driving new sales as well as in support for long-term existing customers.
Website: www. eip-inc. com