At CSM, fifty years in the field
San Leandro, California-based Continental Sales and Marketing is celebrating its 50th year in business.
It now has seven offices around the country and 127 employees, as well as warehouse showrooms in San Leandro, Atlanta, Chicago and Charlotte.
“We started back in 1973, mostly calling on wholesale electrical trades in northern California,” founder and CEO Steven Scheiner told HBSDealer. “It’s been quite a run from there.”
Scheiner has been running hard for most of that period. “It’s still fun,” said Steven. “I’ll maybe get my back off the wall a little bit, but I still want to keep working. I love what I do and who I work with and I’m still having fun, so I’ll be around for a while.”
He’ll be working closely with his son, Adam, who took on the role of president of CSM on Sept. 1.
“Adam has been amazing to work with over the past 15 years. I am extremely proud of him and his approach to earning the respect of his CSM associates and leaders throughout the industries we serve,” Steven said.
Support for City of Hope
For 41 years, Steven Scheiner has been a supporter of City of Hope, the world famous cancer and diabetes research and treatment facility. He currently serves on the COH executive council for the national hardware/homebuilding industry.
Adam Scheiner also serves City of Hope as the president of the Building Hope Committee, recruiting young industry leaders to look for new ways to raise awareness, fundraise and engage the community around City of Hope’s mission.
With solid connections in home improvement, E-commerce and MRO industries, CSM has seen growth, as well as challenges, within the ever-changing retail industry.
Among those challenges is the consolidation of the industry. It’s a much different from the 80s and 90s, when names like Handyman, National Lumber, Grossman’s and Builders Emporium were on the client list.
As consolidation continues, “the business gets tougher and tougher,” he said. “ We just have to keep staying one step ahead,” Steven said.
“Our role is to be in the middle and work with the manufacturer and the retailer to drive their business,” Steven said. “Our longevity and sustainability has been pretty amazing. We know our accounts, we know what it takes too add value to their business. If we don’t add value, we’re a very easy elimination.“
The Scheiner father-son team shares many of the same core values that have led to success during 50 years in business. Steven listed them: “Empower your associates, treat them like family and they will treat your business like their business.”
