Building Stronger Relationships With Your Manufacturing Reps w/ Chris Atwell

The Manufacturing Executive · 7 Jul 2026 · 31m · Episode 317

What this episode covers

Chris Atwell, founder of Mindset Conquest, explains why manufacturers often mistakenly evaluate their independent rep agencies based on activity metrics like call volume rather than revenue-generating pipeline. He argues that tracking opportunities with dollar values and shared revenue targets creates a more predictable growth relationship than reactive 'milk runs' or simple activity reports. Atwell also outlines his book Momentum by Design, which focuses on clarity, energy, and momentum for agency owners.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Mindset Conquest, Gorilla 76, Purolator, Granger, ITW Construction Fasteners, Campus IPEX
Also
Momentum by Design

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 52m

    #205 - CPG Brokers 101 with Matt Merson

    Matt Merson, Head of Strategy and Sales at Once Upon a Coconut, explains how early-stage CPG brands should navigate relationships with sales brokers. He details the differences between national, regional, and specialty brokers, emphasizing the need for strategic alignment on channels like Whole Foods, Walmart, or Costco. Merson outlines critical preparation steps, including financial runway, sales collateral, and data readiness, while providing specific advice on contract negotiation, fee structures, and setting measurable performance goals.

  • Product Startup · 26m

    111: Selling & Growing Your Product at Retail Stores

    Yohan Jacob, founder of RetailBound, explains how emerging hardware brands can scale sales after securing retail placement with major chains like Walmart, Best Buy, and Costco. He outlines three critical KPIs for buyers—top-line revenue, profit, and inventory turns—and details strategies to drive them, including marketing, sales associate training, and planogram compliance. Jacob emphasizes that early-stage companies should prioritize revenue growth and market share over immediate profitability, leveraging local PR and 'guerrilla marketing' to build momentum before expanding nationally.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 48m

    #215 - Ask-Me-Anything with Sales Pro Matt Merson

    Matt Merson, Head of Strategy and Sales at Once Upon a Coconut, shares 35 years of CPG sales expertise with host Daniel Scharff, covering sales compensation, distributor management, and trade show strategies. They discuss negotiating DSD contracts, the strategic use of coupons and free fills, and best practices for creating sell sheets and managing distributor relationships like UNFI and KE. Merson emphasizes that trade show success is the output of pre-show engagement, while advising aspiring sales pros to prioritize attitude and network building.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 52m

    148: Why Your Manufacturing Business Should Be Boring with Marc Bowers, Executive Director of St. Louis Makes

    Marc Bowers, Executive Director of St. Louis Makes, explains why manufacturing businesses should be boring, advocating for predictable cash flow and deep operational knowledge over high-tech hype. He details the process of acquiring or taking over small-to-mid-sized manufacturers (under $30M revenue), emphasizing a 100-day period to understand financials and shop floor realities before pursuing adjacent growth opportunities. Bowers also discusses the resurgence of old-school entrepreneurship in St. Louis, the importance of trade education, and his personal philosophy of living an interesting life through global travel and gap years.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 42m

    Rethinking Trade Shows and Dialing in Your Value Prop with Jose Palomino

    Jose Palomino, CEO of Value Prop, discusses strategies for B2B manufacturers in the $2-20 million range to avoid becoming commoditized by overly relying on a few large accounts. He explains how to identify and leverage 'marginal advantages'—small operational improvements that matter to specific customers—to win deals without competing solely on price. Palomino also outlines a proactive trade show strategy, advising companies to replace expensive, low-impact booth displays with targeted pre-show outreach and high-value entertainment to build deeper relationships with key prospects.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Manufacturing Executive. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.