Our Story

45 Years of Trusted Expertise

Bob Kramer founded United Marketing in 1978 when he noticed full service gas stations phasing out. Recognizing a gap in distribution for general automotive items into the drug, grocery and convenience store markets, Bob started UMI with a few racks of storage space on the top floor of the Frank's Piston Service building in Marion, IN with the blessing of his boss, Frank Gelhausen.

Jodi Kramer (VP) and brother JD Kramer (VP, Sales & Marketing) lead the UMI team into the 2020's with a strong focus on growth through an expanding customer base and by increasing share of existing customer item lists with superior-value products and unparalleled service levels. UMI conducts business with a high level of integrity, and we've earned the respect of our vendor, distribution and retail partners by doing our job - and doing it right - for over 45 years.

What We Do

A True Master Distributor

UMI stocks over 10,000 items from 100 brands in our Marion, IN distribution center, and we service/ship our customer DC's in 41 states. Combine any of those 10,000 items in case or pallet quantities to meet $2,000 Pre-Paid Freight coast to coast. Truckload drop ships direct from the factory available for seasonal load-in or trade show specials.

We also handle e-commerce fulfillment for select vendor partners, allowing them a presence in these markets without the additional labor and infrastructure required to make it a successful in-house venture.

Classes of Trade Currently Serviced

Grocery, Drug, C-Store, Automotive Jobbers, Hardware Distributors, Industrial Suppliers and select e-commerce organizations

How can UMI help you SIMPLIFY?

*Reduce your category management time

*Improve your brand and product selections by avoiding high direct-buy minimums

*Increase your inventory turns

*Assist with, or manage as your Category Captain, planogram development

*Offer seasonal displays and promotional offers on key items

*Offer a ONE-SOURCE solution for reclaims, defects and TPR's/Co-Op

*Trade Show participation with the top items/brands and displays for the season

*e-commerce fulfillment from a trusted vendor partner

*And still keep your retail pricing competitive