January 2026, Vol. 1

MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS

Manufacturing data reports from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are released at the beginning of every month and can be accessed at ISM. The latest report says economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in December for the 10th consecutive month.

However, the specific sectors of computer and electronic products and electrical equipment, appliances & components both reported growth in December. Read the full report.

INDUSTRY NEWS

> Supply Chain Connect offers a great year-in-review recap of supply chains, tariffs and trade shifts in 2025. Read more.

> LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslanksy says having a personal five-year career plan is a bit outdated. Learn why.

> Promoting employees to leadership positions should not be a sink-or-swim experience — more learning and development should be offered. Read more.

INDUSTRY SURVEY RESULTS

The January 2026 ERA Electronic Components

Industry Trend Survey is now live!

Check your email inbox. View results from 2024-2025.

> The next ERA LIVE will take place Tues., Jan. 13 at 4:00 pm ET, featuring Dennis Reed, senior analyst at Edgewater Research. Reed will give a recap of 2025 and present his outlook for 2026, based on electronics components market data and ERA member survey results from 2025. No registration required. See you there! More details & log-in information.

> The deadline is January 31 to submit your applications for the 2026 ERA Mark Motsinger White Pin Internship Program! This internship program offers an ERA-member manufacturers’ rep a chance to hire a college student as an intern, with ERA/White Pin group subsidizing a substantial portion of the anticipated internship cost. Read more and apply.

EDS SUMMIT NEWS

EDS returns to Resorts World Las Vegas from May 18-22, 2026! Reservations for meeting space at EDS (hotel meeting suites, executive meeting rooms and space in Lily Ballroom) are now being taken on a first-come, first served basis. Registration for attendees (rep and distributor companies without meeting space at EDS) will open sometime in the first weeks of January.

(Reminder: ERA-member manufacturers’ representatives are able to attend EDS without registration cost!)

New this year – No passcode for Attendee registration! If you have registered for EDS in the past (and we have your email address!), you will receive an INVITATION EMAIL with a direct link to online registration. Please wait until after January 15 to inquire about a lost invitation. Once you have completed your registration, you will get the link to register for hotel rooms at Resorts World with the special EDS 2026 rate.

Please add info@edssummit.com to your list of Safe Senders to receive the most up-to-date information and check out the EDS website for more information!

CHAPTER EVENTS & NEWS

> Does your local ERA chapter have a social outing, charity drive or networking event that it would like to showcase in the Chapter News section of the Winter 2026 Representor magazine? We would love your contribution. Submit your news and photos HERE.

> ERA’s many regional chapters in the U.S., Europe and Mexico host many important events during the year.We encourage you to attend a local ERA chapter event soon! View ERA events calendar.

• Northern California ERA – Virtual Education Event (Topic: College Recruitment) – Jan. 13
• Arizona ERA – First Annual Cornhole Tournament and Networking Event – Jan. 15
• Chicagoland-Wisconsin ERA – 2026 Kickoff Meeting & Happy Hour w/ Ed Smith – Jan. 15