Representor Winter 2025 - Feature Article - Member Survey Results

FEATURE ARTICLE

2024-2025 ERA Member Industry Survey

ERA member companies reflect on 2024 and forecast 2025


ERA’s ninth annual survey was conducted in December 2024 and presents ERA rep, manufacturer and distributor assessments about their operations and business in 2024-2025, and a forecast for 2025.

The answers to the survey display industry members’ reflections of 2024. In a marked shift from this time last year, 45 percent of those surveyed rated 2024 as an excellent, very good or good year; while 54 percent rated 2024 as mediocre or poor.

Revenue reports split nearly down the middle. A solid 50 percent of firms reported a revenue decrease in 2024, and 50 percent of responding firms saw growth of 0 to 10 percent or greater last year. On a positive note, nearly 83 percent of responding companies report their firm is in excellent or good health today—although this is down 9 percent from last year.

When looking ahead to 2025, responses seemed mostly optimistic. Sixty-three percent predicted 2025 will be good, very good or excellent; nearly 37 percent of respondents predict a mediocre or poor 2025. And, 85 percent predicted some amount of revenue growth in 2025, anywhere from 1 to greater than 10 percent.

About 68 percent of responding firms predicted an increase in total operating costs in 2025.

Areas of importance, focus or concern for members are the overall state of economy, supply chain disruption, business partnerships, strategic planning and digital marketing.

ERA asked respondents which markets they predicted will have sales growth in 2025—responses favored military/aerospace, medical, AI and industrial automation. ERA asked respondents which markets they predicted will have sales decline in 2025—respondents surmised perhaps renewable energy, consumer markets or electric vehicles, although many were unsure.

When asked their “big thought” for 2025, responding companies had a myriad of answers, ranging from the potential impact of the incoming presidential administration, potential price increases due to tariffs, burning off excess inventory, continued solution-selling versus product selling, leveraging and utilizing AI and line card expansion.

We thank all of the respondents for your valued input, and here’s wishing you and your firm a prosperous 2025!

To view the full results of the survey, CLICK HERE. (You must be logged in as an ERA member to view the results.)