8 Reps Win New Lines

Over the past month or so I’ve noticed a number of manufacturers who have changed reps since NEMRA. It’s interesting timing as you would think that this would occur at the end of the year with companies reviewing their reps in Q4, if there have been issues, and wanting to “start clean” in January.

Basically, “play the calendar year.”

But, perhaps they prefer to communicate the news at NEMRA? Or maybe that is where they are consummating relationships … or prospecting for reps? I don’t know the rationale, of if there is one.

I have noticed, however, based upon press releases / notices that I have received that “winning” reps, inferring that they “won” the line, have a tendency to be those who have adopted the tenets of the Rep of the Future. And manufacturers are noticing.

Inevitably these are agencies, big and small, that are focused on the future, are investing in their business, and are driving demand by calling on contractors / end-users while supporting their distributors.

Which begs the question to reps … have you fully adopted the Rep of the Future? Have you read the reports and developed your business plan utilizing the 5 Pillars?

And, if not, reach out to NEMRA to obtain copies of both Rep of the Future reports and the Manufacturer of the Future report (to know manufacturer expectations) or you can reach out to me for a copy of my presentation at this year’s NEMRA conference titled “Future Proof – Shaping the Next Era of Reps & Manufacturers.”

Here’s some of the rep changes that I’ve received (and yes, there have been others).

Lumen Link Adds Major Pole Line with Hapco Partnership

Lumen Link, a focused manufacturers’ representative in the commercial and infrastructure lighting market, and a member of NEMRA Lighting, announced the addition of Hapco to its line card, significantly expanding its commercial pole product offering for customers in Kansas and western Missouri. The new partnership enhances Lumen Link’s ability to serve commercial and industrial (C&I), municipal, and Department of Transportation (DOT) projects with a comprehensive range of high-performance lighting pole solutions.

Through this agreement, Lumen Link will represent Hapco’s full line of aluminum and steel poles and related specialty products including solar and data center security poles. The move will provide specifiers, contractors, municipalities, and DOT agencies with a single, knowledgeable local resource for both luminaires and pole structures. The addition of a major pole manufacturer aligns with Lumen Link’s strategy to streamline project delivery and simplify coordination for large-scale outdoor lighting and roadway applications.

“Hapco is a respected leader in the commercial and municipal space, and adding them to our portfolio is a major win for our customers,” said Josh Schroeder, Principal at Lumen Link. “By combining Hapco’s engineering strength and product depth with our local service and application expertise, we can better support C&I, municipal, and DOT stakeholders from design through installation.”

Hapco’s product line includes a broad range of aluminum and steel poles, decorative and solar, and engineered solutions designed to meet demanding performance, safety, and durability requirements. With this partnership, Lumen Link customers gain access to Hapco’s technical resources and custom capabilities, supported by Lumen Link’s on-the-ground sales, quotations, and project support teams in Kansas and western Missouri.

Speaking of NEMRA Lighting, if you are a lighting agent, carry multiple lighting lines, or are a lighting manufacturer you should contact Jeff Bristol to learn more. There is a Lighting Summit planned for the fall and we’ll also be talking about the Lighting Agent of the Future.

HALCO Lighting Technologies

Upon Halco acquiring the Topaz permanent lighting portfolio from Southwire, Halco has been making some rep moves. Some are firms that already had both lines, some had one, some are new to the offering. Five of them are:

ESA

Electrical Sales Associates (ESA) announced its expanded representation of Halco Lighting Technologies into Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle, taking a proven Tennessee partnership, supported by 30 experienced associates, and running it all the way to the Gulf and opening the door to the same outstanding outcomes across the broader Southeast market.

Halco Lighting Technologies brings a comprehensive portfolio of energy-efficient LED lamps, fixtures, and controls built for distribution, backed by strong availability, and priced to compete. With ESA’s dynamic sales team on the ground and Halco’s own regional support behind every interaction, distributors across Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle now have a full-service lighting partner ready to deliver.

Josh Masters, President of ESA, commented, “Halco is a premier lighting manufacturer our distributor partners have come to trust in Tennessee, and we’re excited to bring that same depth of support to the Southeast. With Hannah Bailey managing day-to-day inquiries and the full backing of Halco’s own team with Matthew Albritton and Colin Mcleod, our customers will have everything they need to sell Halco with confidence. This expansion reflects exactly how ESA operates — deliberate, supported, and built for the long term.”

Chris Chickanosky, President, Halco Lighting Technologies, commented, “We’re thrilled with ESA’s expansion of Halco Lighting Technologies into Georgia, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Building on our strong Tennessee partnership, this allows us to bring innovative lighting solutions and controls to more Southeast customers.  At Halco, we see a bright future ahead with ESA leading the way.”

Halco Lighting Technologies Appoints ElectroRep, for California and Northern Nevada

ElectroRep, a division of Electris360, announced that they have been appointed Halco’s rep in California and northern Nevada.

The partnership strengthens Halco’s presence in the Western Region and supports electrical distributors, contractors, and specification partners across the territory through ElectroRep’s 11 outside salespeople and 11 inside salespeople.

Through this partnership, ElectroRep will represent Halco’s full portfolio of commercial and residential lighting solutions, including its fast-growing line of selectable and controls-ready products. Customers throughout the region will benefit from more product awareness, specification support, and streamlined project assistance.

“We are excited to partner with ElectroRep to represent our brand in California and Northern Nevada,” said Chris Chickanosky, CEO of Halco Lighting Technologies. “Their deep market relationships, technical expertise, and commitment to customer service align perfectly with Halco’s mission to deliver reliable, innovative lighting solutions backed by strong inventory and responsive support.”

Scott Holtgrieve, Regional Vice President of ElectroRep, added, “Halco is a respected brand known for product quality, flexibility, and fulfillment strength. We’re proud to represent a manufacturer that helps our distribution partners reduce inventory risk, respond quickly to contractor needs, and win more business. Together, we look forward to driving growth and delivering value throughout the region.”

ElectroRep will provide sales support, product training, project assistance, and ongoing collaboration with distributors and contractor partners across the territory beginning in March.

ASA Electrical Solutions Announces New Partnership with Halco Lighting Technologies

ASA Electrical Solutions announced a new partnership with Halco Lighting Technologies to represent the company’s product portfolio across Colorado and Wyoming.

“Halco has a proven track record of delivering high-quality lighting products for more than 50 years,” said Joe Stone, Vice President of the Northern Division at ASA Electrical Solutions. “The team at ASA is excited to begin this partnership and looks forward to expanding Halco’s brand presence and growing market share throughout Colorado and Wyoming.”

“ASA Electrical Solutions exemplifies the qualities Halco values in a sales partner, with strong relationships among electrical wholesalers, contractors, and end users throughout their territory,” said Chris Chickanosky, CEO at Halco Lighting Technologies. “We believe this partnership will serve as a strong driver of growth in both the Colorado and Wyoming markets.”

Through this collaboration, ASA Electrical Solutions will support the promotion, sales, and market development of Halco’s lighting solutions across the region, strengthening both companies’ commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality lighting products and service to customers

Yanow

Yanow shared a notice that they have been appointed the authorized rep for HALCO in New England and Upstate New York.

In the announcement it said:

“The partnership brings together HALCO’s high-quality, energy-efficient lighting solutions with Yanow’s extensive regional expertise and deep relationships across the electrical and lighting markets. The collaboration reinforces both organizations’ commitment to delivering superior service, product knowledge, and value to distributors, contractors, specifiers, and end-users throughout the territory.

“HALCO Lighting has an outstanding reputation for innovation, reliability, and customer-first service,” said Randy Pinkofsky of Yanow, Inc. “We’re excited to represent such a respected brand and look forward to expanding their market presence across New England and Upstate New York.”

Brazil Brothers

Brazil Brothers announced that it was appointed HALCO’s representative in New York on Instagram, and on their LinkedIn page, saying,

“We are proud to announce our partnership with Halco Lighting Technologies. With Halco’s strong commitment to product quality, availability, and customer support, we’re excited to bring additional value to our distributor and contractor partners across the territory. We look forward to working together to support your upcoming projects and lighting needs.

CBM Selected by New Basis for Across Communications and C&I Markets

CBM, a leading manufacturers’ representative serving the Communications, Utilities and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) markets, announced today that it has been selected by New Basis to represent its product line effective January 9, 2026.

CBM, Inc. will represent New Basis in the Communications and Commercial & Industrial markets across Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois, and will also assume responsibility for the Communications market in Arkansas.

“We are excited to welcome CBM, Inc. as our representative partner in these key Midwest and Central U.S. markets,” said Mark Edwards, Chief Commercial Officer at New Basis. “CBM brings a deep understanding of the communications and industrial landscapes, strong distributor and contractor relationships, and a proven track record of driving value for manufacturers. This partnership positions New Basis to expand our market presence and better support customers with localized expertise and service.”

“We are thrilled to partner with New Basis and bring their innovative product portfolio to our customers throughout Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas,” said Marla Sparks, President of CBM, Inc. “New Basis’ commitment to quality, performance, and  forward thinking solutions aligns perfectly with CBM’s mission to deliver best-in-class manufacturers and support to the markets we serve. We see tremendous opportunity ahead as our teams work together to grow the brand and support communications and industrial infrastructure projects across the region.”

CBM also shared that they earned an Outstanding Performance Against Quota Award from Federal Pacific at the NEMRA Annual Meeting. The award recognizes exceptional sales execution, strategic market development, and sustained performance throughout 2025 in representing Federal Signal’s industrial signaling solutions across CBM’s territory.

“This recognition reflects the strength of our partnership with Federal Signal and the dedication of our entire C&I team,” said Brett Cooper, Vice President of Communications and Commercial & Industrial Markets at CBM, Inc. “Representing a manufacturer known for quality, reliability, and innovation and being acknowledged for results delivered as a team makes this award especially meaningful.”

This award underscores what’s possible when strong manufacturers and committed representative teams align around shared goals. CBM looks forward to building on this momentum in 2026 and beyond.

SMR Gulf Coast to Cover Gulf for JM Eagle

JM Eagle appointed SMR Gulf Coast as its manufacturers’ representative for its electrical product line across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, strengthening the company’s market coverage in a key region for electrical infrastructure and contractor engagement. SMR Gulf Coast territory encompasses those four states and supports distributors, end users, and specification activities across the region.

“We are excited to welcome SMR Gulf Coast to the JM Eagle family of partners,” said Gregory Smith, Channel Lead for Electrical and Plumbing at JM Eagle. “Their customer-focused approach to engagement with distribution and the electrical contractor aligns perfectly with our go-to-market strategy. As we continue to expand our electrical presence, it is critical that we align with partners who understand the market, know how to create pull-through demand, and are committed to supporting customers at a high level.”

“JM Eagle brings scale, product breadth, and a strong reputation in the electrical market,” said Jamey Lamm, Director of Channel Strategy at SMR Gulf Coast. “We are proud to represent a manufacturer committed to quality, service, and supporting the channel. Our team looks forward to helping grow JM Eagle’s electrical presence by strengthening distributor relationships, supporting contractors in the field, and creating long-term value throughout our entire footprint.”

The partnership gives JM Eagle added field support in several of the country’s most important industrial and commercial construction markets and reinforces the company’s strategy of driving growth through local engagement, technical support, and trusted channel relationships.

Congratulations

Congrats to all of the new partnerships and we encourage

• Strong planning
• End-user / contractor focus
• Territory-specific marketing initiatives that drive demand and educate distributors
• Being easy to do business with
• And that the relationships are mutually profitable

Contact us to learn how we can help you find the right reps