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The CMI Team

Our Companys strength is its people,

and the pride we take in all we do . . .

CMI offers its valued customers and manufacturers almost 50 years of service, with a history of mutuallyprotable business that has positioned us as the number one rep in our marketplace. Our success is obvi-

ous by the long tenure weve enjoyed with the leading manufacturers we represent and by the close workingrelationships weve maintained with all of our accounts. The CMI team stands ready to help your companymeet the challenges of todays marketplace.

When you work with CMI, you join forces with a team of dedicated professionals, with the training and hands-on experience to do more than just get the job done. CMI salespeople, support and administrative specialists,EDI and information system managers every member of the CMI team know that the sale is only the rststep that our success (and yours) is a direct result of each individuals efforts and total commitment to themission. Our companys strength is its people, and the pride we take in all we do.

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How We WorkWe know that a truly successful business relationship must be mutually rewarding for all parties concernedand in todays fast paced environment, that means making the entire working experience as efcient and pro-fessional as possible.

For Our AccountsCMI sales professionals extensive knowledge of each accountsbusiness and marketing style provides a solid foundation for their

sales and sales support mission. They work with the buyers andadvertising personnel to manage advertising programs and ensurea maximum return on corporate advertising expenditures. Theyprovide inventory management assistance as well as order andshipping coordination. Each salesman and administrative specialistmaintains a close relationship with their buyers and assistants, aswell as vital support contacts in warehousing, trafc, operations,advertising, merchandising, accounts payable, all areas of the com-

pany, to reduce the workload for the buyer and insure a smoothlyrunning program.

Also, CMI conducts product training seminars and demonstrations,provides store detailing services, in-store demos and sponsors an-

nual customer appreciation events. We maintain and operate an IBM computer network for total EDI supportand provide numerous computer reports to track each accounts sales, inventory, sell-through and advertisinghistory on a monthly basis. This total involvement in sales, marketing, shipping, advertising, operations andaccounting is the CMI Team Mission Statement, and our commitment to a successful relationship.

For Our ManufacturersThe same dedication and effort we put forth for our accounts, we demand for our manufacturers. You areassured of the same level of efciency and professionalism in every facet of the selling experience, from thesale to the shipment, through the marketing and advertising, to the payment for goods received. Our entireorganization is committed to making everything work so that the pri-mary goal selling is given the most attention possible. Our adminis-

trative specialists assist in product forecasting, tracking inventory levelsand sell-through, processing advertising claims, scheduling warehousedelivery appointments, expediting priority shipments, clearing accountspayable/receivable discrepancies, coordinating samples, literature and

product information, and processing orders, invoices, return authoriz-ations, ad claims and other related documents. This invaluable servicefrees our sales force to ensure that your companys products receive themost complete, comprehensive, and enthusiastic sales effort that can bemade, because without the sale, the support, no matter how impressive,

isnt even a factor.

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CMI and Todays Technology

Todays marketplace is a dynamic and ever-changing world, driven by new technologies and the intense com-petition of the retail environment. CMI continuously upgrades its computer systems to keep pace with thistechnology and the diverse needs of our customers and manufacturers.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), an elec-tronic exchange of business documents, is

becoming a fact of life, and CMI has estab-lished a sophisticated EDI program which al-lows us to receive purchase orders, shippinginformation and point-of-sale informationelectronically. Targets Partners On LineProgram and Best Buys EDI Program areup and running and have become a manda-tory condition of doing business with them.

CMIs computer network will allow vendorswho are not yet EDI-ready to be a part ofthis important project.

With the integration of the latest in EDIDataBase technology, our system can generate reports on sales by week, month, year, and year-to-date, currentassortment listings, competitive shopping reports and analysis, advertising recapsvirtually any informationneeded to get the job done. These sytems allow CMI to provide instantaneous response and transmission of

this critical data directly to our retailers and our manufacturers.

Additionally, CMI has invested in state-of-the-art printing and reproductionequipment to assist you in your presentation needs, featuring high qualitycolor printers, scanners, photo imagery and extensive software programs thatgive us the ability to custom-design account-specic product presentationsfor your company.

Our EDI team attends seminars, conferences and workshops regularly to

ensure that our company continues to lead the way in information technology.Because this technology is constantly evolving, CMI has made the commit-ment to remain on the cutting edge, providing the best service available toour customers and our manufacturers.

Success is a journey, not a destination . . .

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CMI Management

CMIs aggressive and experienced management team has furthered the companys reputation of service andprofessional expertise by maintaining open lines of communication with customers and manufacturers. Thisstrong rapport has developed lasting relationships with our customers, buyers, merchandise managers andcorporate ofcers.

Persistence and integrity pay off at CMI. We do what we have to do to get the job done. CMI has traditionallyspent more time on our customers and manufacturers than anyone in the industry. Management sets the intense

pace for our sales team to provide positive results.

CMIs business philosophy is based on reinvesting our prots to increase your business. We treat each businesstransaction and sale independently. This individual attention is the basis of our success.

Michael M. Kronstedt President

At CMI, pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates

excellence from mediocrity.

Michael began learning about the business at age fteen whileworking part-time in his father Monroes company. Through

the years of ambitious and aggressive leadership, Michael hasbrought CMI from a hardware and houseware business intonational recognition in the sales of consumer electronic and

computer products. Michaels dynamic style and goal-ori-ented management has made CMI the progressive companyit is today.

Michael has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Universityof Minnesota and is active in numerous trade organizations.

He regularly attends national rep council meetings with ourmajor manufacturers.

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CMI is led by individuals of exceptional experience who consider the marketing of

quality products an art and science as well as a profession.

Jon W. Kronstedt Vice President

Jon joined CMI in 1975 after graduating from the University of Minnesota. He concentrates on selling DirectMail and Premium/Incentive accounts. Jon is an active member of the Incentive Manufacturers Representative

Association and a past president of the Minnesota Incentive Club.

Michael R. Pickard Vice President of Sales

Mike brings more than twenty years of retail experience to the CMI management team, including positions as

Senior Buyer for both Target and Venture Stores, as well as operating his own retail electronics business. Thisextensive background in retailing, merchandising, advertising and marketing enable him to provide sound di-rection for CMIs sales force. In addition, Mike coordinates the ow of information from our manufacturersto the eld, and from our customers back to the lines we represent. He conducts weekly sales meetings andcoordinates the numerous special events designed to bring CMI closer to our customers and manufacturers.Mike has a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, with a major in Advertising and Marketing.

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Sales and Marketing

Continental Merchandisers, Inc. is more than a Rep organization . . . we are a team of dedicated professionalswith the expertise to increase your market penetration and prots by offering a complete package of services.Our unique prot sharing plan, involving all sales people, offers a lucrative commission on merchandise theyship to their customers. The more they sell, the more they make for themselves.

David AndersonDavid is a graduate of St. Cloud State University and has over twenty years of expe-rience in consumer electronics, including positions as National Sales Manager for U.S.Tron Telephones and as a Buyer of consumer electronics for Goldnes Discount Store.Davids sole responsibility is Best Buy Company.

James LenthePrior to joining the CMI sales force, James worked for CMI for three years as Retail Sup-port Coordinator, responsible for product demonstrations, training and store detailing.He has also held several management, sales and training positions for ARA Services.James is responsible for sales to The Musicland Group, United Hardware, ShopNBC,

Heartland and National Camera. He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University.

Dale BergDale joined CMI after more than twelve years in retailing, including buying positions

at both Best Buy, where he managed the computer peripherals category, and Target,where he was a buyer for electronics. He is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus, wherehe earned a degree in Finance. Dale is responsible for sales of computer hardware and

peripherals to Best Buy and bestbuy.com. He also handles computer products sales forFingerhut, as well as computer software sales to Navarre.

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Sales and Marketing

Tim SwensonTim joins CMI with over twenty years experience in housewares, stationery and homedecor sales. He has held sales and sales management positions with companies suchas Wilton Industries, Copco, General Hosuewares, Chicago Cutlery and Garven, Inc.Tim attended the University of Minnesota and holds a degree in communications. Heis responsible for developing and managing sales at Target, Best Buy, Redtag, Menards,Fingerhut and numerous other retailers in our market.

Jim Carroll

Jim is primarily responsible for sales of electronics, computer products, housewaresand personal care electrics to premium and incentive accounts in the Twin City market,including The Carlson Companies, BI Performance and Gage Marketing. He holds aBachelor of Science degree from Michigan Tech University, and prior to joining CMIworked for Rollerblade, Inc. in sales and marketing. On weekends, Jim is the publicaddress announcer for the NFLs Minnesota Vikings and the NHLs Minnesota Wild.

Brandon M. KronstedtA graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Brandon earnedhis Bachelor of Science in Economics, majoring in Finance and Entrepreneurial Man-

agement. Prior to assuming computer sales responsibilities, he worked as a detailer andproduct trainer for CMI and was also employed by the Dayton Hudson Corporation.Brandon is responsible the sales of electronics, computer products and automotiveproducts to Target Stores.

Jesse GaiborJesse manages sales to the Food and Drug channel for CMI, calling on Capitol Sales,SuperValu, Cub Foods, Nash Finch, Lewis Drug, and Snyder Drug. Jesse also has re-sponsibility for sales to 12-volt buyers, the music channel and electornics distributors.

He is a graduate of Concordia University, holding a degree in Business with a majorin marketing.

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Marketing SupportContinental Merchandisers, Inc. broadens your sales and marketing program through the strength of our cen-tralized representative organization. We have the unique ability to sell and service large buying groups located

within our market that represent thousands of nationwide retail outlets.

The distribution to mass merchandisers, electronic dealers and distributors, computer stores, catalog show-rooms, wholesale hardware distributors, drug retailers and distributors, department stores and specialty storedemonstrates our dedication to total market penetration for each and every manufacturer we represent. Wemaintain unparalleled communication between the manufacturer and the customer.

Gina Duggan Senior Account CoordinatorGina provides support and administration for Target and works directly with Brandon Kronstedt. She has overtwelve years experience in sales, administrative support and management and is a graduate of the McConnellSchool.

Kimberly Roden - Account CoordinatorKimberly provides support and administration for Best Buy and works directly with David Anderson. She hasworked as a business analyst for Target in both E-Commerce with Target Direct and with the Target StoresDivision and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a degree in Business Administra-tion.

Allison Ziebarth Account CoordinatorAllison also works with David Anderson in the support and administration of Best Buy. She has served in anumber of administrative positions prior to joining CMI and holds a degree in Business Administrative Systemsfrom Northern State University in South Dakota.

Charena DuCharme Senior Account CoordinatorCharena has over twelve years experience in administrative support and assists James Lenthe with The Musi-cland Group, Best Buy, United Hardware, ShopNBC, and Heartland.

Cheryl Koehnen - Senior Account CoordinatorCheryl manages account support for CMIs Housewares and Personal Care Division. Cheryl earned a degree inBusiness Administration from Cardinal Stritch University and has over twelve years experience in management

and administration.

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Marketing Support

Jodi Greene Account CoordinatorJodi assists Dale Berg with Best Buy and bestbuy.com. Her work experience prior to joining our companyincludes administrative support, in-store planogram set-up, inventory control, employee training and book-keeping, as well as an interim period teaching at the grade school level. Jodi is a graduate of the University of

St. Thomas.

Tammi Carte Vendor Compliance CoordinatorTammi manages all aspects of vendor compliance to assist our manufacturers in meeting the various require-ments of our accounts. She has received specialized training from Best Buy, Target and Fingerhut on eachaccounts complex vendor compliance programs. Tammi has eighteen years of sales and marketing experience

and attended Liberty College.

Kim Moynagh - ControllerKim brings over eighteen years of nancial and business experience to CMI. She is responsible for all nanceand accounting functions. Kim works closely with Cindy Christianson on data processing and reporting, aswell as administration of benet programs. Before joining CMI, Kim was employed by Carlson MarketingGroup as a Manager of Financial Analysis. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a major inEntrepreneurship.

Sonna Olson - Administrative SpecialistSonna maintains all schedules and assists our manufacturers personnel with travel arrangements. She also isresponsible for all sample orders and literature maintenance. Sonna was formerly the receptionist for the Ofceof Governor Jesse Ventura and also worked for a number of years in sales and training for Deluxe Corpora-

Kim RuggKim works with Jim Carroll as an administrativespecialist primarily supporting premium and in-centive accounts. Kim has over fteen yearsadministrative and management experience.

Diane HovelandDiane works with Jon Kronstedt and Jim Car-

roll in the companys premium and incentivedivision. She has over ten years experience incustomer support.

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Technical Support, Training and

Competitive Analysis

Continental Merchandisers is a full-service rep organization, our efforts extending well beyond the boundariesof sales. Todays marketplace demands service and hands-on support, and tomorrows marketplace will bedominated by those companies that successfully meet those demands.

We offer professional merchandising, training at the store and corporate level, in-store demos, trade fair booths,dealer show support and more. Our technical support team, under the direction of Brandon Kronstedt, is

prepared to assist you in every way to make the products we represent sell successfully. Our specialists are ex-perienced not only with traditional retail accounts, but with food and drug chains, educational distributors andschool systems, real estate and insurance companies, auto dealers and expediters and a host of Fortune 2000companies, many of whom utilize our goods in commercial/industrial and other end-user applications.

Jesse Gaibor is responsible for gathering competitive information, completing competitive shopping reports

and keeping the CMI sales team updated on assortment changes, retail price changes and promotional activitiesat the store level. This information is thoroughly analyzed and reported to our manufacturers, allowing us tocapitalize on opportunities and recognize and resolve potential merchandising issues as soon as possible.

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Staff Support

Clifford Nimis Accountant, Financial AdministratorClifford provides nancial direction and accounting services for the company. His many years of scal man-agement experience in a wide variety of service, sales and entertainment businesses enable him to offer astutecounsel and guidance to CMI management.

Cindy Christianson Ofce AdministratorCindy has over twenty years administrative and sales experience. In addition to her responsibility as adminis-

trative assistant to Michael Kronstedt, Cindy handles all personnel matters and ofce management functions.She is a graduate of the American Institute of Banking, where she earned three separate degrees.

EDI and Management Information ServicesAndy Picton is responsible for CMIs EDI and MIS systems, as well as all our internal computer systems. Thecompany utilizes several independent systems, for internal management, reporting, direct links with severalof our manufacturers, and of course, the ever-growing EDI networks being developed with our accounts andfactories. Our EDI specialists are directly involved with project leaders at Best Buy, Target, The MusiclandGroup, Marshall Fields and other retailers who are in the process of launching or expanding their EDI partner-ships. CMI provides EDI linkage for manufacturers who are not yet ready to receive and transmit documentsdirectly with the accounts. Andy received a diploma from the Minnesota School of Business and has over 20years of practical experience in computer information systems and advanced electronics.

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Major Accounts

CMI thoroughly services our accounts, providing a wide variety of sales opportunities within our territory. We

handle accounts ranging in size from a $10,000 computer store to a $39 billion discount chain with the sameexpertise, enthusiasm and comprehensive coverage.

We continue the sale after the order is placed. Our complete staff of product merchandisers and in-storedemonstrators assure a total sell-through at retail. We recognize that the last two feet are the most importantpart of the sale.

Electronic RetailersBest Buy CompanyFuture ShopMagnolia HiFi

Sound Center

Mass MerchantsTarget StoresHoliday World-Wide, Inc.Home of Economy

Specialty AccountsFingerhutHeartlandNational CameraNavarrePettersRedtagShopNBC

Sportsmans Guide

Electronic Wholesalers

Capitol SalesS&S ElectronicsDart Distributors

Radio & TV EquipmentS&S Electonics

Music StoresMusicland / Sam Goody / Media Play /Suncoast Motion Picture Co. / On CueApplause RecordsCheapoDown in the Valley

E-TailersBestbuy.comHeartland.com

Shopnbc.comSportsmansguide.comTarget.com

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Department StoresMarshall Fields

HardwareMenardsUnited Hardware

Major Accounts

Drug Retailers & WholesalersJewett Drug

Lewis DrugScholls, Inc.Snyder DrugTwin City Wholesale Drug

Supermarket Chains & WholesalersByerlys

Cub FoodsEricksonsFairway FoodsLunds

Nash FinchRainbow FoodsRedtagSuper Valu

Computer - RetailersBest Buy Company

Media Play / OnCueTarget Stores

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Trade Shows and Promotions

In order to keep abreast of the industry, CMI sends a large contingent to several national trade shows. CMIalso sends representatives to many dealer shows to keep our customers and dealers informed of changes inthe industry.

National Shows

Comdex Mobile Electronics ShowConsumer Electronics Show National Ofce Products ShowInternational Housewares Show National Premium Show APAA and SEMA Auto Shows National Association of Music MerchandisersNARM PMAE3 Toy FairRetail Vision VSDAPCIA Computex

CTIA Gourmet Products ShowSpring and Fall International HomeFurnishings Market, High Point, NC

Dealer Shows

United Hardware John Iverson CompanyCapitol Sales Midstates Distributing

Heartland Super Valu

Jewett Drug Musicland Group National Conferences

CMI Promotional Events

Annual Customer Appreciation Event

Mini Consumer Electronics and Computer Products ShowCustomer Yacht CruisesNew Product Presentations

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Awards and Recognition

Consistency over four decades is evidenced by the many awards CMI has earned, proudly displayed in ourcompany showroom. Pictured are just a few, including:

Casio, Inc. Presidents Award for Top Manufacturers Rep Organization (4 Times)

Samsung Million-Dollar Club

Laserline Presidents Award

Maxell Twenty-Year Award for Excellence

Laserline Three Million Dollar Club

Philips MVP Outstanding Sales Performance Award

Sharp Fifteen-Year Outstanding Service Award

Casio Outstanding Rep of the Year Awards:

Timepiece 1983-1986, 1988-1990, 1993

Audio/Video 1983-1992, 1996

Calculators 1983-1987, 1990-1996 Electronic Musical Instruments 1983-1996

Electronic Cash Registers 1983-1992

Youth Electronics 1993-1996

Casio Twenty-Year Award for Outstanding Service

Maxell Outstanding Representative Group of the Year

Samsung Sales Representative of the Year

Nyko Sales Representative of the Year

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Cordless & Cellular Headsets

Ruggedized Notebook Computers

Tivo Recorders

Compact Flash, Smart Media, MMC and SDFlash Memory Cards

Connectivity Solutions

Game Boy and Console Accessories andControllers

Handheld & Mobile GPS

International & Long Distance Calling Cards

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European Design Kitchen & Household

Products

Tiffany Lamps and Precious Gem Globes

Bath & Kitchen Scales

Gourmet Cooking / Food Preparation

Innovative Tools & Household Products

Sewing Machines and Related Products

Vacuum Bottles and Travel Mugs

Gourmet Cooking Products

Fans & Heaters

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