Certifications

The following are the professional designations offered to MAFSI member rep firms and manufacturers to demonstrate your credibility, knowledge, commitment and dedication to the industry.

MAFSI Technology Certification (MTC)

Technology, when used appropriately, equals productivity. To help make our MAFSI rep firm members more productive, we have developed MAFSI Technology Certification (MTC). The certification serves as a guide to available technology and its application within a manufacturer’s rep business, from the simple to complex.

Click here to see the current MAFSI Technology Certified Agencies. 

Want to add your name to the list?

Ways MAFSI Technology Certification Benefits You:

• Identifies you as a leader in technology and business transactions relating to the Internet and agency operations.
• Provides your agency with a technology roadmap and comparative analysis.
• Provides you with peer networking relating to efficient use of hardware and software in agency applications.
• Provides your manufacturers with a clearer understanding of how your tech investments have enhanced their market position.

How to Apply:

1. Before completing your online application, CLICK HERE to print out your MTC Application Checklist.
   
   
2. Click Here to complete your MTC Application form.
   
   
3. Once received by the MAFSI office, your application will be reviewed and the appropriate level will be assigned to your firm within 10 days of receipt.

CLICK HERE

Certified Professional Manufacturers' Representative (CPMR) for Rep Firm Owners

The Certified Professional Manufacturers' Representative (CPMR) is for anyone providing outsourced sales functions to manufacturers, regardless of industry. It is a professional designation earned by an individual, not a firm and is open to firm owners and managers.

Large firm or one person operation, current or future owners or managers of independent manufacturers representatives may apply. Reps are also known as brokers, agents or outsourced sales. CPMR Candidates come from a variety of industries...from soup ingredients to nuts and bolts, and the equipment used to make or package them...they all enjoy CPMR.

The CPMR curriculum provides participants with greater understanding and insight into operating a more effective firm. In all, it takes three years to complete the certification program. After completing the third year, graduates earn the right to use the distinctive CPMR designation and gain membership to the Institute for Professional Advancement (IPA), MRERF’s educational subsidiary. 

Each year of CPMR builds on the previous year’s curriculum. To encourage continued professional growth and life-long learning, maintenance of certification criteria must be met in order to retain the CPMR designation. The criteria reflect requirements of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training and are consistent with standards recognized for all certified professionals including the fields of law, medicine and accounting.

The program is administered by MRERF (Manufacturers’ Representative Educational Research Foundation). For more details and how to apply visit CPMR.

Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP) for both Reps and Manufacturers

The Certified Foodservice Professional(CFSP) credential was established by NAFEM in 1987. It is the most important industry certification for foodservice professionals. Globally recognized and demanded, the CFSP program enables organizations to compete more effectively by providing a more knowledgeable, better qualified and more motivated team.

The program is administered by NAFEM (North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers). For more details and how to apply, please visit CFSP.

Certified Sales Professional (CSP) for Rep Firm Sales Personnel

The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling. The program is administered by MRERF (Manufacturers’ Representative Educational Research Foundation). For more details and how to apply, please visit CSP.

Salespeople in every segment of the foodservice sales process can attend CSP. Reps, brokers, direct sales, distributors, and even sales managers that manage reps. Anyone that calls on customers will leave CSP with sales skills and ways to increase their business.

The CSP curriculum provides participants with a thorough understanding of consultative selling. Being able to find out what the customer needs and how you can meet those needs makes you a valuable resource to your customers.

After three intense, interactive days at CSP you will be more effective, productive and profitable.

Successful students earn the right to use the distinctive CSP designation and gain membership to the Institute for Professional Advancement (IPA), MRERF’s educational subsidiary.

The program is administered by MRERF (Manufacturers’ Representative Educational Research Foundation). For more details and how to apply, please visit CSP.

Manufacturers' Best Practices (MBP) for Manufacturers

Finding the best rep fit for your product can certainly be a tough challenge. The MBP (Manufacturer's Best Practices) is two days filled with ideas and tools on how to strengthen the rep network and drill down on the best ways to streamline manufacturer partnerships. It is good for factories that have used reps for a long time or are just starting out with reps. Understanding how to find the best reps and communicate with them is imperative. MBP makes it easier to do! 

Two days. Dozens of ideas.
Good decisions do not, by themselves, yield great results. Going to market through independent manufacturers representatives is a good decision. But it is the relationship that will create great results. Relationships between principals and reps need attention. Attention to the big picture. Attention to the finer points.

The Manufacturer’s Best Practices program from MRERF meets the needs of both top and middle management and sales/marketing personnel at the factory level. Its goal is to enhance understanding of how to select, manage, evaluate, and profit from your Rep network. Your reps are the face of your company in the field. You want your firm to be well Represented.

The program is administered by MRERF (Manufacturers’ Representative Educational Research Foundation). For more details and how to apply visit MBP.

Questions? Please contact us today at (404) 214-9474 or [email protected].