12/18/2014 10:48:00 AM
NEWS BRIEFS
Sullivan Leaving Chicago Hardware After 37 Years
Photo courtesy LINK Magazine
After 37 years with Chicago Hardware & Fixture Co., national sales manager Jim Sullivan is “resigning” effective January 23, 2015.
Sullivan, 65, explained to FIN that he couldn’t bring himself to use the word “retiring.”
He first worked for Chicago Hardware part time while in college. After graduating from college, Sullivan’s first job was outside sales calls selling photo copiers and next he went with an advertising agency.
His third job was with a printing company and one of his customers was Chicago Hardware. He met national sales manager John Ward, who soon invited Sullivan to go into outside sales for Chicago Hardware. Sullivan was hired for outside sales, though his first few months included a variety of roles such as packing orders to get to know the business.
Sullivan has been with Chicago Hardware more than a third of the company’s 102-year history. Third generation owner Tom Herbstritt and his son Brian Herbstritt now operate the company.
Sullivan commends the Herbstritt family for continually “looking ahead.” He cited the expansion of Chicago Hardware’s Batavia plant with more equipment and machinery as as example.
“What we do is the same as the traditional blacksmith,” Sullivan described Chicago Hardware. “But with hotter steel and bigger hammers.”
Sullivan’s initial plans are to spend the winter in warmer climate and time with siblings and his four children and 16 grandchildren.
Sullivan can be contacted at Chicago Hardware, 9100 Parklane Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60121. Tel: 847 455-6609 Email: jsullivan@chicagohardware.com
Photo courtesy Link Magazine.
For the Chicago Hardware story click on Fastener History:
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