NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS

The Voice of Electrical Distributors The National Association of Electrical Distributors

Who we areThe National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) is the voice of the electrical distributor. We provide members with the best tools, information and assistance to help them thrive and improve the electrical distribution channel.

Our storyIn May 1901, electricity took center stage at the Pan-American Exposition that opened in Buffalo, New York. The Electric Tower was the focal point as it demonstrated the benefits of electric light made possible by hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls. At night, thousands of electric lights outlined the buildings.

During the early part of the last century, many new products such as the light bulb, the electric iron and the vacuum cleaner were being introduced to Americans with the promise of making life easier—they just needed electricity to make them work.

The demand for electricity and electrical products grew, as did the need to have people to sell those products. It was a group of businessmen that recognized the opportunity to create a channel to bring these new products to market in an organized way.

By 1905, four years after the Pan-American Exposition, the first electrical trade association, the Electrical Manufacturers Alliance was formed. Just three years after that, the Electric Supply Jobbers Association—the precursor to NAED—was founded. The goal of this new association was to establish the electrical distributor as an essential force in both the electrical industry and the economy.

Over the years, we have experienced tremendous advances in technology and electrical manufacturers’ products have stayed on the forefront of innovation. Distribution became a critical partner in getting those products to market.

www.naed.org

The Electric Tower—the Pan-American Exposition’s centerpiece.Copyright 1901 by C.D. Arnold

We grew right along with the rest of the industry and have gone through several name changes to better reflect the scope of our services. We changed to the National Electrical Wholesalers Association in 1929 and finally to the National Association of Electrical Distributors in 1949.

For more than a century, the electrical distribution industry has been connected through NAED. We have been built by the power of collaboration through innovation.

How we help you tell your storyAs the only organization in the electrical distribution industry that focuses on making the channel more successful, NAED represents companies in wide spectrum of sizes—from small and mid-sized independents to large regional and national chains. We help our members tell their story by providing the tools and resources necessary for them to succeed, now and in the future.

NAED is the resource for education, information and networking through:• Networking • Advocacy • Education • Defined standards and research

“NAED is the only organization within the electrical distribution industry that focuses on making the channel more successful. We’re proud of our commitment to help you tackle the big issues that you can’t take on alone.”

–Tom Naber, President, NAED

memberservices@naed.org | 888.812.5351

NetworkingNAED networking opportunities focus on bringing the whole industry together in one place including electrical distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer reps, service providers and technology organizations. We host numerous events that give everyone—from the branch manager to the marketing team to the president—access to best practices and new ideas to help move your business forward.

Member benefits include:

Executive Level ConferencesNational Meeting | Regional Conferences

Niche MeetingsAdVenture Marketing Conference | Branch Management Bootcamp | Congressional Fly-In Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) Conference | Sales Team Development Workshop Women in Industry Bootcamp | Women in Industry Forum

Market Area MeetingsLake Michigan Club | Missouri River Club

Online CommunitiesNAED and tED magazine social networks | LinkedIn niche community groups YouTube video galleries | RSS blog feeds

“NAED is truly a first class organization. Every event, training and conference they put on is simply for the betterment of our industry.”

–Jay Tupa, Dakota Supply Group

www.naed.org/events

Rick Stanits, EPICOR Software Corp., networks with a fellow NAED member.

“The NAED Congressional Fly-in was a great advocacy experience for me to learn how things are done. I believe that in my districts, I can move things forward a bit because I now have contacts with people, so if I have issues, I can pick up the phone and make that call.”

–Dan Gray, President/CEO, Independent Electric Supply

Advocacy Your business is impacted by regulations and policies that get overlooked everyday. Advocacy initiatives represent those important issues that may be ignored due to time constraints of normal business operations. NAED provides members with a platform for members to collectively influence public policies at the national level.

Member benefits include:

Government AffairsAdvocacy programs | Congressional Fly-In | Congressional facility visits to your location

Manufacturer ProgramsAdvocacy Internship for Manufacturers (AIM) | Field visits at distribution locations

Advocacy with CustomersEnergy Star Partnership Program

Clarence Martin, State Electric Supply Company, meets with a legislator.

www.naed.org/tellcongress

EducationNAED education programs provide a focal point for industry-specific training and development. Through NAED’s Learning Center, the electrical distribution workforce has the educational and training courses needed for their professional development.

Member benefits include:

Industry InformationNAED and tED magazine electronic newsletters | tED magazine and tEDmag.com

Specialized Education PackagesVIP CORE | VIP SALES | VIP LEADERSHIP | VIP SPANISH

Product Application EducationElectrical Distributor Guided Education (EDGE) | Electrical Products Education Course (EPEC) Voice-Data-Video (VDV)

Sales TrainingBottom Line Basics® | Branch Management University | Certified Electrical Professional (CEP) Counter Pro

International CoursesBottom Line Basics® in Spanish | Business Reality 101 workshop with Spanish-speaking facilitator EPEC Bronze and Silver in French

Bill Kuehn, Butler Supply, works on completing the EPEC Bronze course.

“I’ve never before been in a job or an industry that gives you the tools needed to succeed and have a career. Through NAED, electrical distribution does.”

–Gary King, Inside Sales, Springfield Electric

www.naed.org/education

Defined Standards & Research The foundation of a solid strategy is built on benchmarks. NAED publishes benchmarking reports that help members understand how they measure up to industry standards. These tools provide information on how to make the most of your current resources, evaluate potential new ventures and define industry standards.

Member benefits include:

Benchmarking toolsNAED PAR ReportTM | Employee Compensation Report | Supply Chain Scorecard

Training from NAED partnersSolar Energy International (SEI) | American Lighting Association (ALA)

Partners and alliancesConsensusDocs | DATAFirst | Electrical Distributor’s Credit Bureau | Exxon Mobile Group Purchasing Fleet Program National Association of Wholesalers (NAW) | RepFiles

Industry researchBusiness Profitability | Energy and Sustainability | Human Resources and Talent Management Industry Benchmarking Tools | Legal Issues | Sales and Marketing

“Using the tools and resources NAED provides, we’ve been able to change our challenges into opportunities. The best practices we’ve learned has allowed our company to be better overtime.”

–Jim Etheredge, Senior VP & CFO, Crescent Electric Supply Company Bernd Heinz gives an overview on the NAED Terms and Conditions report.

www.naed.org/research

Let us help you tell your story.

To learn more about NAED, contact memberservices@naed.org or

visit us at www.naed.org.