Our Story


Founded in 1991 located just outside the Chicagoland area, focused on the retail hardware channel. National accounts include Ace Hardware, True Value, Do it Best, Orgill Brothers, Sears/Kmart and Menards. National Housewares accounts include Walgreens and Kohl’s. Regional accounts include Blain’s, Mills, Emery/Jensen Dist., Bostwick Braun, Florida Hardware, Horizon, House Hasson, Mid-States, Monroe, United Hardware, and Wallace. A team of about 40 people devoted to supporting coop hardware distribution. Customer corporate office coverage with proven team focused strategy. National Field Coverage for all key hardware retailers. In-house customer service to assist stores with orders, product questions and concerns. Also, marketing & trade show support.


Why CMI?

CMI exists to bridge any gaps that manufacturers may
have within their distribution relationships and processes.



“People are not your most valuable asset, the right people are.”

Jim Collins, Motivational Speaker


Keys to Success

  • CMI has consistent growth over its 25 year history
  • CMI is a proven leader in the hardware channel
  • CMI has the best overall relationships
  • CMI has the structure and resources in place
  • CMI can manage and measure our activity and results
  • CMI is the right partner to expand hardware penetration
  • CMI invests for the future

Our focus isn’t on what we are capable of doing,
our focus is on what our customers need done!

Supplier Spotlight


Light Efficient Design


Since 2008, Light Efficient Design has combined design sensibility with innovative technology advancements to become the premier source for energy-smart LED retrofit solutions. As pioneers in the ever-advancing LED industry we leverage inventive technologies, such as advanced active cooling and smart temperature control. Our commitment to innovation sets us apart and provides unique LED retrofit solutions for the marketplace.

Light Efficient Design invests in product testing to ensure the performance and reliability of our unique product designs. We are proud that our products are supported by UL, DLC, Lighting Design Lab, LM79 and LM80, and Lighting Facts. We focus only on LED retrofit solutions to offer the broadest assortment of state-of-the-art lighting products.

Featured Product

LED for HID Retrofit Solutions


Light Efficient Design is transforming lighting with the industry’s broadest, highest-quality LED retrofit product line. Our LED retrofit solutions power your switch to advanced LED technology in the most seamless, easy transition. Keep your existing fixtures by swapping out the lamp with our easy, screw-in LED retrofits, and gain fast energy savings up to 70%! Reap the financial rewards by saving money on maintenance costs while contributing to a greener world. Plus, your facility will shine with an improved visual environment and safer surroundings.

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The CMI Philosophy


  • It is the contributions of each employee in our company that provides a platform for success.
  • We ask all of our employees to think creatively, act on their own initiative and take responsibility for the results of their actions. All of us embrace teamwork and sharing our knowledge with others.
  • We want to provide a sense of trust to those who buy, sell and produce the products we represent.
  • We strive to provide our customers with products and services that exceed their expectations and bring value to the bond of our relationship.
  • We take pride in all we do to contribute to our manufacturer’s and customer’s success.

Work Hard


“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”


Theodore Roosevelt

Work Honest


“No legacy is so rich as honesty.”


William Shakespeare


“Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.”


Thomas Jefferson

Work Happy


“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.”


Simon Sinek