Our history. Your next opportunity.
Built on Relationships.
Focused on Equipment Distribution.
EMDA’s story brings together two longstanding communities: wholesale equipment distributors and independent manufacturers’ representatives. Their shared purpose continues today—helping equipment businesses connect, develop markets, and build lasting business relationships.
About EMDA
Connecting the Equipment Industry
The Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association is a business-to-business association connecting manufacturers, wholesale distributors, independent sales representatives, service providers, and industry partners.
Our members serve markets across North America and internationally. EMDA helps them meet potential partners, explore product opportunities, exchange practical knowledge, and stay connected between events.
See What Membership Can Do for Your Business →The milestones behind EMDA
From FEWA and AIMRA to EMDA
1945
Wholesale distribution roots
In March 1945, the National Wholesale Farm Equipment Distributors Association was incorporated in Delaware.
1952
The FEWA name
In November 1952, the organization changed its name to the Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association.
1961
A voice for independent representatives
AIMRA was originally organized in 1961 and incorporated in Arizona as the American Farm and Power Equipment Agents Association. It became known as the Agricultural & Industrial Manufacturers Representatives Association.
2005
A broader marketing and distribution focus
At the 2005 Fall Convention, members voted to adopt FEWA as the association’s official name and add the Marketing & Distribution Association tagline.
2008
Two associations. One shared direction.
During their concurrent Fall Conventions in Reno, FEWA and AIMRA members voted to consolidate. The two associations came together as the Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association. AIMRA also filed articles of incorporation in Delaware in 2008.
The Businesses Behind the Network
EMDA’s roots are in the companies that help equipment reach the market. Member distributors and representatives support a wide range of product lines, including agricultural, construction, light industrial, commercial, irrigation, lawn and garden, outdoor power, forestry, and turf maintenance equipment.
Market knowledge
In-field sales representation, advertising, promotion, and product education help manufacturers connect with the customers and territories they want to serve.
Distribution expertise
Warehousing, physical handling, credit, and collections help move products through the equipment distribution channel.
Long-term support
Service coordination and warranty representation support relationships beyond the initial sale.
A History Shaped by Member Leaders
Explore the presidents who served EMDA and its predecessor associations, or meet the people supporting the association today.
Build your next connection
Become Part of EMDA’s Story
Find the people, product lines, and business relationships that can help your equipment business move forward.
Association History
In a vote held during their concurrent 2008 Fall Conventions in Reno, the memberships of FEWA and AIMRA approved a consolidation of the two associations. AIMRA (the Agricultural & Industrial Manufacturer’s Representatives Association) and FEWA (formerly the Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association) merged to form the leading association devoted to the marketing of specialized equipment: The Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association.
Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association (FEWA)
FEWA was originally incorporated in the state of Delaware in March, 1945, as the National Wholesale Farm Equipment Distributors Association. The Certificate of Incorporation was amended in November, 1952, to change the name to Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association. Member vote held during the 2005 Fall Convention changed the Association’s official name to FEWA, and added the Marketing & Distribution Association tagline.
Agricultural & Industrial Manufacturers Representatives Association (AIMRA)
Originally organized in 1961, the Agricultural & Industrial Manufacturers Representatives Association (AIMRA) was incorporated under the laws of the state of Arizona as the American Farm and Power Equipment Agents Association. In 2008, AIMRA filed articles of incorporation under the laws of the state of Delaware.
About EMDA’s Member Firms
EMDA’s member firms are independent distributors and manufacturer’s representatives, located throughout the United States and Canada, who distribute a wide range of product lines including farm, light industrial, commercial, recreational, irrigation, lawn, and garden, outdoor power equipment, light forestry, power transmission, turf maintenance, etc.
They perform such value-added services as warehousing, in-field sales representation, advertising and promotion, product education, service requirements, warranty representation, physical handling, and credit and collections. EMDA members provide the functions which lower the total cost of distribution and increase your market share.
