The Race Starts with Us at NEMRA25!
February, 2025
The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA), an electrical industry association made up of sales representatives and manufacturers, held the NEMRA25 Annual Conference in January and February of 2025. The in-person symposium, which began on February 2nd and finished on February 5th in Orlando, FL, is one of the largest gatherings of independent sales representatives and electrical manufacturers in the U.S. CANTEX was a gold level sponsor of this year’s conference.
This year’s theme was “It Starts with Us.” The in-person NEMRA25 conference took place at the Orlando World Center Marriott, but the suppliers’ large group presentations took place in mid-January and were virtual again this year.
Over 150 CANTEX sales representatives participated in the CANTEX virtual presentation. “The Race Starts with Us!” was the CANTEX virtual meeting theme this year re-emphasizing the NEMRA25 theme. CANTEX staff highlighted 2024 successes and presented metaphorically related track and field competition strategies for 2025. 2025 tactics included knowing the course or electrical market; knowing which races or markets in which to compete; and preparing to face the competition by committing to training, meeting goals, and keeping the pace.
Examples of steps being taken by CANTEX to stay competitive in 2025 were also presented. They included plant improvements and expansions, product improvements, and an upgraded Agent Portal with an Agent Training module. Dave Milius, VP of Sales and Marketing for CANTEX, highlighted goals for 2025 which included focusing on CANTEX’s unique strengths; supporting the full CANTEX line of PVC pipe, fittings, and boxes; and targeting the strongest markets for PVC electrical products.
“According to forecasts, economic indicators point to another highly successful year for PVC electrical pipe, fittings, and box sales. I am actually excited about how robust the market should be into the next decade with the increasing uptake of AI and advanced computing industries. Construction of data centers with the electrical transmission systems needed to transmit all that data will continue to create a high demand for PVC electrical products. Additionally, the power utilities market; the underground high voltage cable industry; and the solar renewable energy market will also necessitate the use of more and more PVC electrical products. Construction market growth for U.S. manufacturing plants as well as increased U.S. border protection should also generate an increase in demand for PVC pipe, fittings, and boxes for the rest of this decade,” explained CANTEX VP of Sales and Marketing Dave Milius during the virtual NEMRA25 presentation.
At the NEMRA24 in-person conference in Orlando, manufacturers attended business conferences and connected with representatives in one-on-one sessions. CANTEX sales staff and CANTEX President Dave Merker met with CANTEX sales representatives from across the U.S. The sales agents presented their 2024 triumphs, 2025 forecasts, and their strategies finishing well in 2025. CANTEX sales representatives also indicated that business has been good 2024, and it will stay strong throughout 2025.
“We were excited to hear the optimism about the market from our agents from all over the country and reports from key contractors at the general session. With everyone together in one location for three days instead of spread out across the nation, NEMRA25 presented a terrific opportunity to connect, plan, and strategize with our nationwide sales channel,” said Richard Thornton, the CANTEX Regional Sales Manager for the Central U.S.