FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about manufacturer's representatives and how PowerRep can help your business.
What Is a Manufacturer's Representative?
A manufacturers’ representative (or “rep”) is a commission-based, independent sales agent who markets and sells a manufacturer’s products and services to OEMs, Contract Manufacturers, and Distributors.
Reps do not take ownership of inventory and do not handle pricing, orders, or shipping—these are handled directly between the customer and the manufacturer. PowerRep acts as a sales extension of our manufacturers, offering local expertise, market insight, and customer access.
Why Hire a Rep Agency?
Lower Cost Sales Force
Hiring a direct salesperson can cost 1.5 to 2 times more than working with a rep firm. With no salary, benefits, or overhead, reps provide a cost-effective way to expand your sales presence.
Conditional Sales Costs
PowerRep requires no fixed salary investment. We’re only compensated when products are sold and shipped into the territory—ensuring our goals are directly aligned with yours.
Shared Cost of Demand Creation
By representing multiple complementary product lines, PowerRep spreads the cost of sales across multiple revenue streams. This cross-selling creates demand efficiently and delivers significant savings for each manufacturer.
Immediate Access to Market
Our experienced sales team has deep knowledge of the local market, customer landscape, and regional nuances. With long-standing relationships and an established network, we provide fast access to key decision-makers.
Increased Customer Engagement
Every customer interaction—whether for sales, service, or support—builds trust and opens doors for all manufacturers we represent. Time spent on-site strengthens every line on our card.
Never Out-of-Sight, Out-of-Mind
PowerRep is known for consistently generating new opportunities. Our team excels at securing meetings and introducing solutions—keeping our manufacturers in front of customers and top-of-mind at all times.
What Industries Does PowerRep Serve?
PowerRep serves a wide range of industries throughout New England, including:
- Medical Device & Healthcare
- Industrial Automation
- Defense & Aerospace
- Energy & Power Systems
- IoT & Smart Devices
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Consumer Electronics
Our diverse supplier portfolio allows us to support almost any electro-mechanical application across these industries.
What Geographic Area Does PowerRep Cover?
PowerRep proudly represents our manufacturers in all six New England states:
- Massachusetts (MA)
- Maine (ME)
- New Hampshire (NH)
- Vermont (VT)
- Connecticut (CT)
- Rhode Island (RI)
Based in Southern New Hampshire, just 50 miles north of Boston, our team regularly travels throughout the region to support customers and manufacturing partners.
How Does the Relationship Between Manufacturer, Rep, and Customer Work?
The relationship is a strategic partnership where:
- PowerRep identifies potential customers and opportunities for our manufacturer partners
- We introduce our manufacturers’ products and services to customers who could benefit from them
- We provide technical support, field application assistance, and design collaboration
- The customer works directly with the manufacturer for pricing, orders, and shipping
- PowerRep remains involved throughout the process, supporting both parties as needed
- The manufacturer compensates PowerRep via commission when sales are made in our territory
This model creates a win-win-win scenario where customers get the right solutions, manufacturers grow their sales, and PowerRep builds long-term relationships.
How Do I Become a PowerRep Manufacturing Partner?
PowerRep is selective about the manufacturers we represent to ensure we can provide the highest level of service to all partners. We look for manufacturers who:
- Offer high-quality, competitive products that complement our existing line card
- Are committed to long-term growth in the New England market
- Provide strong technical support and responsive customer service
- Value transparent communication and collaborative relationships
If your company meets these criteria and you’re interested in exploring representation, please contact us to start the conversation. We’ll discuss your products, market strategy, and how PowerRep might fit into your sales channel.
Have more questions?
We're happy to discuss how PowerRep can support your business needs.
Contact Us