Relationships
Relationship building
Strong, long-term relationships with both clients and equipment manufacturers anchor the business. Capital equipment decisions are not transactional.
About Vertex Manufacturing Solutions
Founded in 2014 around a single observation: engineers could not find sales people who could answer an engineer’s questions.
- Founded
- 2014, Richmond, Indiana
- Owner
- Jeff Trotta, BSc ME Technology
- Memberships
- MANA · MAC
Who you are talking to
What does Vertex do?
Vertex Manufacturing Solutions is an Indiana-based manufacturers’ representative agency owned and operated by Jeff Trotta. The agency represents capital equipment manufacturers focused on assembly, test and inspection automation, and uses an application engineering approach to help clients in Indiana, Kentucky and select areas beyond assemble, test and inspect their products.
Vertex was built around a single observation. Early in his career as a product engineer and engineering manager, Jeff Trotta noticed a shortage of sales professionals who could answer the questions engineers actually need answered. He set out to fill that gap.
His 28-year career covers product design, application engineering, engineering management and technical sales, and every Vertex project still goes through him personally.
Vertex exists to help engineers solve problems and find viable equipment solutions — backed by an engineering background, not a sales script.
Member in good standing
What sets Vertex apart
- Founded and operated by a degreed mechanical engineer with 28 years of experience
- Application engineering approach to every capital equipment specification
- Indiana, Kentucky and select clients outside those areas
- Capital equipment focus: assembly, test and inspection automation
- Member in good standing of MANA, the Manufacturers’ Agents National Association
- Member of MAC, the Manufacturers’ Agents of Cincinnati
- In business since 2014, with roughly 300 projects completed
- Direct access to the founder on every project — no account handoffs
The method
How Vertex approaches a project
Most equipment sales conversations start with a quote. Vertex starts with the problem, and the process runs in defined steps so engineers know what to expect.
Problem assessment
Vertex meets with the client to assess the problem and the application in detail. The conversation is engineer to engineer.
Application engineering review
Jeff applies an application engineering approach to the specification, including design attributes that affect process success and the technologies that fit the use case.
Feasibility work
When needed, Vertex coordinates lab work to prove viability — including plastic welding feasibility studies and strength analysis across welding technologies.
Solution recommendation
Vertex identifies the best process and technology for the application. The recommendation reflects what actually works on the production floor, not what carries the highest commission.
Quote and implementation
Vertex provides the quote and supports the client through implementation with the manufacturer.
What Vertex believes
Four ideas that shape every client relationship.
Humor
Have some fun
Engineering is serious work. Vertex still injects humor into client conversations and laughs with fellow engineers along the way.
Mentorship
Mentor young engineers
Vertex actively mentors young engineers entering the field, passing on the application engineering mindset to the next generation.
Community
Support seasoned engineers
Vertex supports experienced engineers when they need career guidance or professional references. The engineering community is built on those relationships.
Territory
What states does Vertex serve?
Vertex primarily serves Indiana and Kentucky from its Richmond, Indiana headquarters, and also works with select clients outside that footprint. For territory questions on a specific application or manufacturer line, contact Jeff Trotta directly to confirm coverage.
Indiana
Home territory, headquartered in Richmond on the eastern edge of the state.
Kentucky
Full coverage across the state for all four equipment categories.
Select clients beyond
Coverage outside the core footprint depends on the manufacturer line. Ask and we will confirm.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Vertex has been in business for 12 years. Jeff Trotta founded the agency in 2014. Over that time, Vertex has completed roughly 300 projects across automotive, consumer products, energy storage, industrial and life sciences manufacturing.
Yes. Vertex is a member in good standing of MANA, the Manufacturers’ Agents National Association, and a member of MAC, the Manufacturers’ Agents of Cincinnati. Both memberships reflect the agency’s commitment to professional standards in the manufacturers’ rep industry.
A manufacturers’ representative agency sells capital equipment on behalf of equipment manufacturers within a defined territory. Vertex represents manufacturers focused on assembly, test and inspection automation — including plastic welding and joining, assembly automation, metal riveting and forming, and ultrasonic metal welding systems.
Vertex uses an application engineering approach: assessing the problem, evaluating product design attributes that affect process success, proving viability through lab work when needed, and recommending the technology that actually fits the application.
Reach Jeff Trotta directly at (765) 524-7595 or by email at jeff@vertexms.us. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is at 1371 Boston Township Line Rd, Richmond, IN 47374.
Solving problems with engineered solutions.
Direct access to the founder, an application engineering approach, and 28 years of manufacturing experience on every project.