Member DashboardEligibility
Learn more about NAFEM membership.
NAFEM membership includes three types: Active, Affiliate and Associate. Active and Affiliate member companies include those that manufacture and market foodservice equipment and supplies, while Associate members include companies that provide services to Active and Affiliate members in a variety of categories.
Active member requirements
Active NAFEM member companies must be organized under the laws of a North American country or be a division of such entity, with a primary business of manufacturing, marketing and selling equipment or supplies on NAFEM’s Approved Product Category List.
(a) Be organized under the laws of a North American country or be a division of such entity, and its primary business is to:
- Market and sell Approved Products in North America manufactured in a facility which is owned or co-owned, or to which manufacturing is outsourced, by the entity, or
- Market and sell Approved Products in North America which are manufactured by an entity related to it through a minimum of 50% ownership or 50% common ownership (the “Related Entity”)
(b) The entity or its Related Entity must own or have an exclusive license to use the brand shown on the product or packaging of the Approved Products which constitute its primary business.
c) Approved Products are those products listed from time-to-time on the Association’s Approved Product Category List and which have necessary agency approvals for sale in North America.
(d) An entity which presents itself or is known in the trade as a dealer, distributor, importer, jobber, manufacturers’ agent, selling representative of a foreign corporation except as specifically permitted above, or a consultant is not eligible for membership in NAFEM.
(e) An applicant must have met the requirements for membership in NAFEM for not less than one (1) year before making application for membership.
Affiliate member requirements
Affiliate NAFEM member companies must meet the same requirements as active members, with one exception: They may be organized under the laws of a country outside of North America.
(a) Be organized under the laws of a country outside of North America or be a division of such entity, and its primary business is to:
- Market and sell Approved Products in North America manufactured in a facility which is owned or co-owned, or to which manufacturing is outsourced, by the entity, or
- Market and sell Approved Products in North America which are manufactured by an entity related to it through a minimum of 50% ownership or 50% common ownership (the “Related Entity”)
(b) The entity or its Related Entity must own or have an exclusive license to use the brand shown on the product or packaging of the Approved Products which constitute its primary business.
c) Approved Products are those products listed from time-to-time on the Association’s Approved Product Category List and which have necessary agency approvals for sale in North America.
(d) An entity which presents itself or is known in the trade as a dealer, distributor, importer, jobber, manufacturers’ agent, selling representative of a foreign corporation except as specifically permitted above, or a consultant is not eligible for membership in NAFEM.
(e) An applicant must have met the requirements for membership in NAFEM for not less than one (1) year before making application for membership.
Associate member requirements
Associate NAFEM membership is open to companies that provide products and services to assist NAFEM members in doing business in nine (9) categories.
Education & Training Providers
Education and Training Providers are defined as those companies engaged in teaching, facilitating or designing curriculum for foodservice industry professionals.
Employment Recruiters
Employment Recruiters are defined as companies seeking to match candidates to foodservice industry job openings.
Export Management Companies
Export Management Companies are defined as management consulting/distribution services to foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers for product distribution outside North America.
Foodservice Product Design, Development & Engineering Firms
Foodservice Product Design, Development & Engineering Firms are defined as those companies that provide creative thinking, engineering and prototype skills for new foodservice equipment products.
Manufacturer Services
Manufacturer Services Providers are defined as companies that supply products and services to support Active/Affiliate members in doing business, including OEM parts suppliers and distributors, financial services companies, raw materials providers (steel, plastics, etc.), office product suppliers and freight-forwarding companies. The applicant must have a foodservice division or demonstrated market presence in the foodservice industry to qualify in this category.
Marketing & Communications Service Providers
Marketing & Communications Service Providers are defined as for-profit companies engaged in the design, placement and implementation of communications, public relations, advertising, product packaging, image programs, branding programs, product marketing programs or literature/point of sale fulfillment houses for foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers.
Systems/Technology Integrators & Providers
Systems/Technology Integrators & Providers are defined as companies that supply hardware, software and services that connect and integrate the foodservice industry, including: asset management solutions, computer hardware, customer relation management (CRM) solutions; enterprise resources planning (ERP)/business systems; facility/energy management; financial/accounting; security; and telecommunications hardware and software.
Third-Party Certification Organizations/Utility Organizations
Third-Party Certification Organizations/Utility Organizations are defined as companies providing independent, third-party certification of foodservice industry products/services, or foodservice industry utility providers.
Trade Publications
Trade Publications are defined as foodservice industry trade publications, buyer’s guides and journals. Trade publications are eligible for membership by publication title or if multiple trade publications qualify, by publisher.