Business Details
35 Years
experience
Your Trusted Hardware Distribution Partner
Founded in 1991, Comprehensive Marketing, Inc. (CMI) has established itself as a leader in the hardware channel representation industry. Our team of dedicated sales, operations, and customer service professionals specializes in connecting manufacturers with retail distribution networks across the United States. With decades of combined experience and relationships spanning major hardware retailers like Ace Hardware and True Value, we provide strategic solutions that drive growth for our clients. Our approach combines industry expertise with personalized service, ensuring manufacturers navigate distribution challenges effectively. Through field sales support, marketing strategy, and supply chain optimization, we help brands maximize their market penetration.Our commitment to innovation and relationship-building has sustained consistent growth over 30 years in the industry. We maintain a team of approximately 50 professionals dedicated to hardware distribution solutions. Our corporate office in Lombard, Illinois serves as the hub for national field coverage and customer service operations. We differentiate ourselves through measurable results and a proven track record in the hardware sector. Our philosophy emphasizes teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement in all business relationships.
Services
Field Sales
Marketing Strategy
Distribution Consulting
Operations Support
Account Management
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We have 30 years of specialized experience in hardware channel representation
- Our team of 50 professionals provides national field coverage for key retailers
- We offer in-house customer service for order support and product inquiries
- Our proven track record shows consistent growth since 1991
- We provide marketing and trade show support for product promotion
Services
Field Sales
Our field sales team provides on-site support including product training, consultative sales, and brand expertise. We serve as brand ambassadors while offering personalized solutions tailored to each customer's unique needs. Our field representatives build relationships with hardware retailers to enhance brand reputation and drive business growth.
Marketing Strategy
We develop targeted marketing strategies that position products for success in the hardware channel. Our team guides vendors through advertising opportunities and creates promotional vehicles that connect products with ready buyers. We combine industry knowledge with creative approaches to maximize product visibility and market penetration.
Distribution Consulting
We help manufacturers navigate hardware distribution complexities through strategic guidance and relationship management. Our consultants facilitate contract negotiations, line reviews, and new product introductions while providing insights on supply chain optimization. We leverage our industry expertise to strengthen supplier-customer relationships and improve operational efficiency.
Operations Support
Our operations team ensures products reach distribution centers efficiently by aligning supply chain processes between manufacturers and retailers. We manage data integrity, new item setups, and inventory coordination while providing scorecard analysis and strategic meeting preparation to optimize distribution performance.
Account Management
We provide dedicated account management for major hardware retailers through experienced professionals with deep industry knowledge. Our team handles customer service inquiries, coordinates trade show participation, and manages day-to-day operations to ensure smooth business processes and customer satisfaction.
People
Jim Spevak
President
Celebrating over 30 years in the hardware industry with 25+ years at CMI. Strengths include strategic negotiations and relationship building. Graduate of Northern Illinois University with a passion for Chicago Bears football.
Sharon Fredericks
Vice President
27-year CMI veteran with expertise in vendor guidance and promotional strategies. Self-proclaimed 'Founding Mother' of CMI. Enjoys family time with her husband and two sons in her free time.
Mario Angelone
Managing Partner
16-year CMI professional with experience launching programs in multiple product categories. Active in community church activities and Penn State wrestling fan. Father of three active daughters.
Mark Ludwig
Managing Partner
23-year CMI veteran with expertise in Ace Hardware corporate relations. Volunteer board member for local youth basketball. Enjoys home improvement projects and family sports activities.
Blaine Scruggs
Director of Field Sales
29-year CMI team member managing field sales and customer service operations. Family-oriented professional with retail management background. Enjoys home projects and family time.
Questions
What services does Comprehensive Marketing offer?
We provide field sales support, marketing strategy, distribution consulting, operations management, and account management services for hardware and home improvement manufacturers.
Which retailers does CMI work with?
We represent manufacturers with major hardware retailers including Ace Hardware, True Value, Do it Best, Orgill, Menards, Walgreens, and Kohl's.
How does CMI help manufacturers grow?
We connect manufacturers with distribution networks, optimize supply chain processes, provide field sales support, and develop marketing strategies that increase product visibility and sales.
What makes CMI different from other agencies?
Our 30-year track record in the hardware channel, team of 50 experienced professionals, and proven success with major retailers set us apart from other representation agencies.
