Business Details
49 Years
experience
Trusted Manufacturer Sales Representatives Since 1977
Since 1977, Total Marketing Associates has delivered expert sales and marketing representation for manufacturers seeking nationwide retail distribution. Our team of independent manufacturer representatives and customer support professionals specialize in connecting products with major retailers, corporate headquarters, distributors, and wholesalers. With decades of experience in home improvement, hardware, and seasonal outdoor living categories, we provide full-service retail sales representation, creative marketing solutions, and outsourced sales support. Our proven track record with industry leaders like The Home Depot and Lowes headquarters demonstrates our ability to secure shelf space and drive sales.Backed by 45+ years of relationships and a commitment to integrity, we act as an extension of your team while maintaining cost-effective sales solutions. Our in-house creative services, telesales capabilities, and dedicated customer support teams ensure comprehensive market penetration. Recognized by partners like Blain's Farm & Fleet for exceptional professionalism and results, we prioritize long-term partnerships built on trust and mutual growth. As a Midwest-based leader with national reach, we combine localized expertise with scalable resources to meet evolving consumer product industry demands.
Services
Sales Representation
Marketing Services
Creative Design
Telesales Support
Customer Service Outsourcing
Details
- Year established: 1977
Highlights and features
- We offer 45+ years of proven success in retail sales representation
- Our team maintains direct connections with major national retailers
- We provide full-service support including creative marketing and telesales
- Our cost-effective solutions reduce clients' sales overhead by 40%
- We guarantee personalized account management with dedicated support teams
What people say
Most professional sales group
Outstanding group to work with
Dedicated and hard-working
Genuine and caring organization
Model for others to follow
Services
Sales Representation
Our experienced manufacturer representatives secure retail placements with major national chains including The Home Depot and Lowes. We specialize in home improvement, hardware, and outdoor living categories, leveraging 45+ years of industry relationships to maximize market penetration. Our team manages national account management and logistics to ensure products reach key retailers efficiently.
Creative Services
In-house creative solutions include packaging design, web development, and promotional materials. Our team handles photo studio production, SEO optimization, and video content creation to enhance product visibility. We provide comprehensive branding and marketing collateral to support sales efforts across multiple consumer product categories.
Telesales Support
Our telesales team conducts lead qualification, appointment scheduling, and promotional outreach nationwide. We manage customer reminders, gather feedback, and execute targeted sales calls to complement field operations. This service accelerates market entry while maintaining professional communication standards established over four decades.
Customer Service
Dedicated customer support teams provide personalized service by region and client. We manage order tracking, issue resolution, and communication between manufacturers and retailers. Our GroAccess Communications division offers outsourced call center solutions with flexible technology integration for small to mid-sized businesses.
National Distribution
We connect manufacturers with 20+ major retail headquarters accounts and 50+ distributor partners nationwide. Our network includes hardware chains, farm supply stores, and home improvement retailers across diverse product categories. This established distribution infrastructure ensures comprehensive market coverage for client products.
People
Tom Dahlborn
Partner
Co-founder with decades of experience in manufacturer representation and retail sales strategy development.
Jim Hayden
Partner
Seasoned sales executive specializing in national account management and distributor partnerships.
Tom Peel
Partner
Industry veteran focused on connecting manufacturers with corporate retail buyers nationwide.
Ken LaBuda
Executive Vice President
Leads strategic initiatives with 20+ years of expertise in retail sales operations.
Ryan Fagan
Vice President, National Accounts
Manages key retailer relationships including The Home Depot and Lowes headquarters accounts.
Questions
What industries do you specialize in?
We focus on home improvement, hardware, outdoor living, and seasonal products with expertise in lawn & garden, pet supplies, and plumbing categories.
Which major retailers do you work with?
Our connections include The Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, Ace Hardware, Walgreens, and 20+ other national retail headquarters accounts.
How do you help manufacturers grow sales?
We provide retail sales representation, creative marketing solutions, and distribution network access to secure shelf space and increase product visibility.
What regions do you cover?
We offer nationwide coverage with specialized focus in the Midwest and established distribution networks across all US regions.
Do you handle product branding?
Yes, our in-house creative team provides packaging design, branding strategy, and marketing collateral development to support product launches.
